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From student spaces to Indigenous communities, Charlotte Schwartz has combined her passion for environmental awareness and love for the planet to bring communities together through her co-op experience.

Charlotte Schwartz (she/her) is a third-year Geography and Environmental Management student with a specialization in Climate Change and a minor in International Development. Her co-op journey spans event planning, government policy and academic research; all tied back to her passion for the environment. She highlights the value of community engagement, collaboration and being open to unexpected opportunities for growth.

Charlotte's co-op journey

Q&A with Charlotte

“I think in academia, students and faculty, especially deans, can feel so separated but the beauty of ENVigorate was that it brought all these people together. We have more in common than we like to think.”

What was it like working for the Ministry of Northern Affairs?

“It was very, very different than my previous co-op. Naturally, working in student engagement is so collaborative and it's so hands-on. Then, pivoting to a government position– sure, I was still working with communities– but it was very structured.”

“I think it gave me a new look into what careers in the environment sphere can be like, especially something that’s more policy focused.”

“In terms of what I learned, I think it was helpful in opening my eyes to the fact that there's so many different actors in solution-building. There are your activists and your people who do very hands-on work. There are your people in the government sphere. There are people in the non-profit sector, and so on. They can all come together very beautifully, especially in consultation circles.”

How have you seen your work making a tangible difference?

“Working in something social justice focused like climate change can feel like you’re working against this ‘beast’. It tends to feel so out of reach, larger than life.”

“Then working with Northern Affairs, knowing that I could be a bridge between federal spaces and Indigenous communities, it was really nice. Even if my impact was just taking meeting notes, it was nice to know that I was involved.”

“I've been very lucky in that all of my co-ops have been related to my degree and they're genuinely something I enjoy.”

“It's really a feedback loop because so many of my leadership positions, like sitting on Student Climate Council with the Climate Institute or working with the peer mentorship program at United College, were things I found out about through connections I made in the workplace. Environmentalism is so intersectional and so interconnected. Those relationships and networking are essential.”

“I think the skills I learn volunteering then apply to my job and the connections I'm making at my job feed into volunteering. It's a beautiful cycle.”

“It can definitely be tough balancing my involvement, especially when it comes to time management. Working a full-time job is exhausting as it is, but in my case it's really helpful that I'm passionate about my volunteer commitments. I feel drawn to them, so they don't always feel like work.”

What advice do you have for other co-op students?

“If I was speaking to my first-year self, I would emphasize the fact that because environmentalism is so broad and so intersectional, you don't need to find a position that feels directly aligned.”

“I certainly didn't feel that way about ENVigorate initially. But in the end, I think it has really been the foundation of my skill building, my relationships on campus and my future co-ops. So, be open to how the skills you learn at other jobs will feed into your future.”

What's next for you?

“I will be returning to ENVigorate this upcoming winter term for my fourth co-op term as a student engagement associate. My portfolio will include helping plan ENVigorate for a third year, as well as expanding opportunities for undergraduate involvement. There's so much room to continue building community in the Faculty of Environment and I'd love to be a part of that.”