As we launch our Career Connections hub, we’re spotlighting employees from BC Hydro and the work they do. We want to show students the diversity of roles available at BC Hydro and in the industry, so that they can discover connections between their passions and jobs they could pursue.

In this post we are sharing an interview with Joyce Ip, who works as a Natural Resource Specialist at BC Hydro. Many students now are passionate about the environment and anxious about climate change. Joyce is a great example of someone who connected her passion for environmentalism and the outdoors into a job that allows her to directly impact conservation in B.C.

Read on for more insight into a role in environment, and work-life at BC Hydro.

Tell about your role here at BC Hydro and describe what you do. 

I'm a Natural Resource Specialist with the Project Environmental Risk Management team. I provide environmental oversight to engineers who deliver projects for BC Hydro. I review project plans to ensure that they align with our rules and processes for reducing environmental risks.

I also have my own projects where I provide environmental input and advice to help identify and remedy vital risks on BC Hydro capital projects.
 

What steps or influences led you into your role?

I became passionate about the environment from a young age. I had a teacher in Grade 5 who influenced us to think about the environment, for example with composting. I also loved being outdoors, I grew up enjoying nature with my family and camping. So I knew from a young age I wanted to have a career in the environmental field.

In high school I continued that path by focusing on the sciences, and I started the Environment Club. I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation in the Forestry Faculty at UBC. I also joined the co-op program and one of my first co-ops was with vegetation department at BC Hydro.

I loved the work. I had the opportunity to travel around the province and see beautiful places you don’t normally reach, and I also really enjoyed the people I worked with. I knew that after university I wanted to do some work in environmental consulting. Plus, I was interested in returning to the environment department within BC Hydro because that aligned my passions.
 

Did you get experience elsewhere before coming back to Hydro?

I did. I spent a few years working in the private industry in environmental consulting. Through that I learned a lot and did work that translates into what I do now.

But the beauty of a large company like BC Hydro is there's so much room for growth within the organization. I was reading the profile of our retiring CEO Chris O’Riley yesterday, who spent 35 years in one company. That's amazing, you know? There are so many opportunities to move around and continually grow professionally. I think that's great.
 

Could you see yourself spending the rest of your career or most of your career within Hydro?

Oh, for sure. I'm constantly learning at my job which I really enjoy. And my values are really aligned with BC Hydro’s values; it's not just about turning a profit, which is the main focus for many companies in the private sector. It’s about much more than that here so I really enjoy working with the company, and even the external consultants I work with. I see a lot of room for growth and opportunity to move around and just continue learning.
 

What things make you proudest of your current role and what's a moment that stands out to you?

What I really enjoy is the ability to make a positive environmental impact. For BC Hydro it’s not just about profits, so there’s very much a voice at the table for environment—recommendations are taken seriously and implemented, that’s what I enjoy.

I also enjoy that there is a mix of office and field work. And coming from environmental consulting, there’s a lot of field work which I really enjoy, I just enjoy being outside. A moment that stands out was a project that I did at Bridge River. We were undertaking penstock refurbishment, and as part of the project I did a wildlife survey with our wildlife subject matter expert. We were harnessed and used ropes to repel down a very steep slope along the penstocks. It was a beautiful day with crystal clear skies and we have beautiful views overlooking the Bridge River system. That was a moment that really stood out.

 _{A view overlooking the Bridge River powerhouses.}

How is your work life balance and what are benefits of the job you have?

In my current role my work-life balance is good. Before this role I was in operations which is demanding when there are emergent issues. In this role I would say it's been great.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a job like yours?

I would say don’t be afraid to volunteer. When I was in high school, I volunteered for different stewardship groups in the city. Seek opportunities in order to discover what your interests and passions are, because even in the environment field there are so many different paths that you can go into. I had peers in my university program that went to environment outreach, policy or, you know, worked in the private industry, worked for all levels of government, right, municipal, provincial, federal.

The program that I studied in was quite broad so it’s up to the individual to really home in on what your specific interests are and then seek opportunities, whether it's job opportunities, summer jobs, or volunteer opportunities to develop experience or skills related to that interest area.

If you enjoy being outdoors, if you feel you know you have a strong connection with the outdoors in nature and being outside, there are definitely opportunities to turn that into a career. For me it’s been a great career so far. I'm very thankful for the opportunities I've had and where I am today.