Student job profile

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/geojob.jpg” caption=”Hanna Maoh, post-doctorate fellow in the School of Geography & Earth Sciences, and Pavlos Kanaroglou, professor in the School of Geography & Earth Sciences, supervised research assistants Ben Garden and Aishwarya Hariharan this summer. Photo by Susan Bubak. “]From measuring vehicle emissions to collecting air pollution samples, students working in the School of Geography & Earth Sciences this summer were given the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-world problems.

Aishwarya Hariharan and Ben Garden were employed as research assistants with the Centre for Spatial Analysis, while Johanson Sandrasagra worked as the videographer for the School.

Hariharan, an electrical engineering & management student, has been actively involved in the Mobile 6 project, which tracks vehicle emissions.

“It was the programming aspect of the project that attracted me to the summer position,” said Hariharan. “However, it also allowed me to apply what I already know to other areas of study.”

Garden's connection to the Centre started back in 2005 when he came to the School of Geography & Earth Sciences as a co-op student from Westdale High School. He returned to the Centre as a work-study student for the summers of 2006 and 2007.

“I developed an interest during my initial co-op in high school, and it made a profound impact on my undergraduate choice,” Garden explained.

He is now going into his second year in geography, and this experience will be invaluable as he continues his studies. Garden assisted graduate students with various projects, including digitizing Halifax bus routes and mapping air pollutants in Hamilton using GIS.

Sandrasagra is going into his second year in computer engineering, but has an interest in web graphics and design. His project for the summer was to video faculty members in the School of Geography & Earth Science to update the department's website.

“The most fascinating part of the job was hearing about their research and in some cases, actually being able to see researchers in action in the field,” said Sandrasagra.

“Providing opportunities for students to apply what they are learning in class not only improves the student experience, but it helps them consider future career options in science,” noted John Capone, dean of science.

Ultimately, all three students agree that these summer employment experiences look great on their resumes and will enhance their future studies at McMaster.