Hands-on research helps student’s conservation career take flight

More than a decade after finishing high school, Alysia Boudreau started her post-secondary journey “with no formal science background and a lot of self-doubt.”

She’s graduating this year with a Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology. Her VIU experience included fieldwork, hands-on research, making the Dean’s List, receiving many academic awards and scholarships, and completing an honours thesis project.

Working with Biology Professor Dr. Eric Demers on the bird banding project stands out as her top highlight.

“Starting at the bird banding station in 2022 was the first time I held birds for research, and I quickly became one of the ‘bird nerds,’” she says.

The opportunity to learn alongside people equally excited about nature became one of the most defining early experiences of her degree. It inspired her to write her honours thesis on the den habitat selection of black bears on Vancouver Island. The project gave her the chance to work closely with provincial biologists and use real wildlife management data.

“From this experience, I learned that conservation biology is the path I want to pursue,” she adds.

Field work, real-world research, close connections with peers and profs, and hands-on learning were key reasons she chose to study at VIU. “I wanted close relationships with professors, field experiences and to stay connected to Vancouver Island ecosystems that inspired me from the beginning,” she says.

Alysia credits the accessibility of her professors with helping her succeed in her studies.

“Some of my best opportunities came from asking questions, taking advantage of office hours and getting involved early,” she says. “VIU allows strong mentorships that can shape your entire career path in meaningful ways. I’m always diving into my work, whether in labs, fieldwork or research discussions. I want to understand the ‘why’ behind everything and stay genuinely curious in all aspects of science.”

That curiosity has helped launch her career. She is now working as a Junior Wildlife Biologist with an international consultancy firm that focuses on sustainability and the environment.

“My goal is to gain field experience and pursue a master’s degree in applied conservation science and wildlife ecology,” she says.

Her advice for other students is to lean into as many experiences as you can.

“Don’t worry about having everything figured out,” she says. “Your path changes as you gain experience and the best opportunities often come from what you didn’t plan for or expect early on.”

Alysia looks back on her time at VIU with gratitude and personal pride.

“I’m grateful for my professors, mentors and classmates,” she says. “VIU shaped my skills and confidence and I’m excited for what comes next, both personally and professionally as I move into fieldwork and consulting. More than anything, I proved to myself I could do hard things and build a career in science.”