Profession with the Canadian Hydrographic Service for Females
In the summer of 1983, a young individual embarked on an extraordinary journey within the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). Fresh out of high school, with a passion for outdoor activities, the individual began their career working at the Hydrographic Data Center.
A few months later, they were offered a permanent position with the CHS, marking the start of a 33-year career that would see them rise to the position of Director of Hydrography in a major region of Canada.
During the summer of 1983, the individual was also assigned to a project on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, an archipelago in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Here, they mainly worked onboard a hydrographic launch, running sounding lines and examining identified shoals.
Their career progression took a significant turn in the summer of 1989, when they were assigned as the first female Hydrographer-in-Charge of the first multibeam hydrographic survey in Canada. This marked a milestone in the history of CHS and Canadian marine sciences.
Throughout their career, the individual actively participated in many national committees and supervised numerous projects for the implementation of new technologies related to hydrography. They were also encouraged to apply to different types of work to move into a management position.
In 1993, the individual graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in Surveying Engineering, with a Hydrographic Option. Their position was later reclassified from a technical group to a surveying engineering category in the Canadian Public Service, a well-paying job category.
The individual's dedication and hard work were not without challenges. They faced some intimidation in the workplace but also had wonderful people around who supported them. They also benefited from excellent working conditions at the Government of Canada, allowing them to take parental leave and care for young children.
In 2021, the ratio for the surveying engineering category in the Canadian Public Service stood at 25% women and 75% men, according to The Professional Institute of the Public Service. Despite progress, women in traditionally male-dominated fields like hydrography, especially in organizations such as the CHS, have historically faced obstacles including gender bias, limited promotion opportunities, and challenges balancing work-life demands.
As they retired in the spring of 2018 as planned, the individual left behind a legacy of perseverance, innovation, and dedication. Their career serves as a testament to the power of determination and the importance of breaking barriers in male-dominated fields.
For a more detailed account of a woman’s 33-year career progression over at CHS and specific challenges encountered, historical personnel records, oral histories, or interviews with women hydrographers there may provide valuable insights. Academic or government publications focused on gender in Canadian marine sciences might also offer detailed insights into the experiences of women in this field.
If you seek information on notable women in Canadian hydrography or similar science careers, please let me know, and I can assist further based on broader information beyond the current search results.
- The individual's career within the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) not only spanned 33 years but also marked a significant milestone when they became the first female Hydrographer-in-Charge, overseeing a groundbreaking multibeam hydrographic survey in Canada.
- This dedicated individual's educational pursuit in Surveying Engineering at the University of New Brunswick with a Hydrographic Option not only enhanced their technical skills but also helped them gain a higher-paying position in the Canadian Public Service.
- Despite facing some challenges such as gender bias, limited promotion opportunities, and balancing work-life demands, this pioneering woman in hydrography left an inspiring legacy of perseverance, innovation, and dedication within the CHS and the larger field of marine science.
- To delve deeper into the challenges and successes of women in Canadian hydrography and other science careers, consult academic or government publications focusing on gender in Canadian marine sciences, historical personnel records, oral histories, or interviews with women hydrographers in organizations like the CHS.
