Acadia University
Karen Brookman (BScH Geology) is convocating this week and after walking across the stage, is walking directly into a job in her field.
Her role isn’t completely new to her, she is returning to a job as Geologist in Training at Bayside Geoscience in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She worked in a similar role last summer with Bayside Geoscience and is thrilled at the opportunity to return in a full-time capacity. Karen shares, “It is a huge relief to have a position lined up right after finishing university, especially in my field of study. I feel most at home when I am working outside in the field, and I am looking forward to getting back to bushwhacking in Northern Ontario. The mineral exploration industry is doing great right now, and it feels inspiring to be contributing to something bigger than myself. It is hard work, and I am more than happy to be doing it.”
Through strategically planning courses during her Acadia degree Karen also met education requirements to register as a professional geoscientist. Acadia’s Earth Science programs fulfill the Nova Scotia provincial legislative requirements for professional geoscientists (P.Geo) certification, which are also applicable across Canada. After approximately 48 months working in geoscience and gaining experience to fulfill a list of competencies she will be eligible to write exams and complete the Professional Geoscientist certification.
Karen is the first Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholar to complete a geology degree. Originally from Sydney Cape Breton, Karen describes how living close to the ocean shaped her interest in geology, “The rolling hills of Cape Breton Island have always been a huge inspiration to me, and I always think back to the large cliff of exposed granite you see at Porcupine Hill when I am crossing the causeway to return home. Our island is composed of amazingly diverse geology and there is so much to be seen while exploring our coasts and highlands. Curiosity drives exploration, and it is an important virtue to have as a geologist.”
Starting her degree at Acadia led Karen down a path filled with unique experiences and hands on learning opportunities that she credits to landing a role in her field upon graduation. “Acadia has given me many unique opportunities to learn hands-on in the field. Based in the heart of Nova Scotia, our field schools expose you to just about every major rock type you will encounter in your career as a geologist. Our professors push you to learn and hold space for curiosity and questions, which has shaped the critical thinking skills of decades of Acadia Geology graduates including myself.”
A memorable Acadia experience for Karen was being selected to represent Acadia at the 2025 Student-Industry Mineral Exploration Workshop (S-IMEW). The event is a two-week, all-expense paid workshop that provides students with hands-on opportunities to learn mineral exploration techniques, field skills, core logging, geological mapping and interpretation, and development of networking skills.
As an Irving Scholar, Karen stood out from her interview as a student with a plan for where she hoped her degree would take her, and the ambition to get there. Sarah Hines, Irving Scholar Coordinator recalls “Karen shared in her interview a story about her interest in coastal erosion and displayed an impressive ability to narrow in on a specific issue connecting science to human impacts. We knew from that moment she would be an exemplary Irving Scholar during her time at Acadia.”
Karen is an accomplished student, she will be receiving several awards in Geology during convocation. She is also a passionate artist and some of her pieces will remain at Acadia. She is currently commissioned to create a painting that will represent the Earth and Environmental Science Department. Last year, a volcano painting she made was purchased by Dr. Sandra Barr and donated to the department.
Karen’s creativity thrives connecting art to science, “I draw from geology a lot in my art practice and the majority of my paintings these days are focused on geological landscapes and other elements of geology like thin section and microscopy work. Geology and creativity are strongly interconnected, whether it’s while mapping or making interpretations, and I make a point to bring this to life in my art.”
Acadia is proud of Karen and her accomplishments, and we look forward to seeing where her path leads. We hope that both her art and the professors that shaped her passion for geology will bring her back to campus into the future.
