Your Job vs. Mine, A week as an ACAP Saint John Summer Student
Saint Jean Nuuk, 2025 Summer Student
When you really think about it, life is like an endless cycle of repetition. It goes without saying that it’s nice—and arguably more efficient—to live your day-to-day life within a routine. That notwithstanding, I’d like for us to make a quick bet. Loser has to take their mom out for dinner. Yes, you. Don’t look around, pal—you’re the only one reading. I bet my summer was more fun than yours. Don’t believe me? Then let’s play another quick game. I’ll try to guess what your weeks were like this summer.
Let’s see here: Monday morning. You get out of bed, hopefully brush your teeth, make yourself some breakfast, and unfortunately, it’s time to clock in for work. Now you’re at your desk and all you can think about is how far away payday feels, how much you’re about to spend on lunch, and—rookie mistake—you checked the time before noon. Suddenly, the clock is crawling.
Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for all day arrives: time to clock out. You make your way home, cook some dinner, grab a plate, turn on the TV, and start winding down after a long day of work. But then it happens: you blink once, then twice, and—surprise, surprise—it’s morning again. Sorry to burst your bubble, but nope, it’s not Friday. Not even Thursday. Heck, it’s not even Wednesday yet… And you know what time it is? Time for the cycle of employment to start all over again.
So, how did I do in our little guessing game? Was that a pretty accurate description of your summer weeks? If it was, then boy, do I have news for you. Better start making those dinner reservations, because just one week at ACAP Saint John could give your entire summer a run for its money.
See, when I wake up on a Monday morning, the only thing I dread is the fact that I’m one week closer to the end of my time here. Let me give you a glimpse of what a week at this job looks like from my POV.
A bit of context first: my name is Saint Jean Nuuk. I’m 18 years old, heading into my second year of university, chasing an undergraduate degree in Applied Computer Science at Dalhousie University. This summer, though, I worked as a Field Assistant for ACAP Saint John, an organization whose mission is to unite the Saint John community in protecting and restoring local ecosystems through education, collaborative action, research-based restoration, and consensus-driven solutions.
When I first accepted the position, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean, what could a computer science student really gain from a field position at an environmental non-profit? Turns out, a lot. Every day over the past four months has been a perfect balance of fun, excitement, and valuable learning experiences. Each morning I’d come into work wondering,‘What am I going to do today?’ Is it going to be a fun drive out to McAdam with the electrofishing team? A quick trip to The Woods in Quispamsis for some hands-on landscaping? A ride along Loch Lomond Road for everyone’s favorite water quality checks? Or maybe the real fan favorite—our monthly seal-spotting boat day! Believe me, the possibilities felt almost endless
Musquash MPA seal day with Tori and Andrea
This summer I got the opportunity to fully immerse myself in a field completely outside of my usual interests. Take our bi-weekly fishing, for example. Never in my life would I have imagined that I’d be able to look at a fish and instantly recognize its species, let alone hold one in my bare hands. At first, it felt strange—slippery scales, the sudden thrash of movement, the cold rush of water against my gloves—but soon enough I started to see the bigger picture. These weren’t just random fish; they were key indicators of the health of the ecosystems we were monitoring. Learning how to properly handle them, record data, and release them back into the water gave me a whole new appreciation for the science and care that goes into environmental fieldwork.
Me vs. the fish. White Bone way Fish Rescue
What surprised me most was how quickly something I thought I’d never connect with became one of the highlights of my summer. Each outing wasn’t just about catching fish—it was about teamwork, patience, and understanding how every small piece of data contributes to protecting the waters around Saint John. In a way, I was learning skills that had nothing to do with my degree, but everything to do with growth and adaptability.
Last fishing day; Lobster catch at Mispec Beach
At the end of the day, I think it’s safe to say I won our little bet. While you were stuck in the cycle of alarm clocks, lunch breaks, and counting down the hours until Friday, I was learning how to identify fish species, rescuing lobsters on the beach, spotting seals from a boat, and getting my hands dirty in ways I never imagined I would. It wasn’t just about the tasks themselves—it was about stepping outside my comfort zone and discovering how much there is to gain when you try something completely new.
Even though environmental fieldwork doesn’t directly tie into my degree, the lessons I picked up this summer go way beyond the water. I learned how to work on a team, adapt quickly to unexpected challenges, and stay curious even when the task seemed unfamiliar at first. Those are skills I’ll carry with me back to Dalhousie and into my future career in computer science.
So, if you’re still thinking your summer had me beat, I’ll let you keep believing that—just don’t forget our deal. Dinner reservations are waiting, and I’ll take mine with a side of victory.
