Proving Myself Right: The Best Experiences Are Outside Your Comfort Zone, So Go for It!
Abbie Healey, 2026 Cooperative Education Student
Looking back, almost every experience that helped me grow the most first felt intimidating.
Over recent years, I started noticing a pattern. Whether it was joining new sports when I was younger, working my first job as a historic interpreter at Place Fort La Tour, or moving across the country for a summer research internship at the University of Alberta, the opportunities that scared me the most always became the moments I was most grateful for afterwards.
A green crab found in the fyke net
That is why I think part of life is continuing to challenge yourself with opportunities outside your comfort zone. Every experience that feels a little intimidating teaches you something new about yourself. So, when I heard I could complete a co-op during my final semester at Centre scolaire Samuel-de-Champlain, I saw it as another chance to prove myself right again.
Going into my placement with ACAP Saint John, I did not fully know what to expect. Before long, I was out monitoring water quality, willow harvesting, fishing with seine and fyke nets, planting trees, doing data entry, participating in cleanups, creating social media content, and so much more! One of the best parts of the experience was that no two days ever felt the same. Although I loved everything I got to do during my time at ACAP, the fishing trips were easily my favourite because we never knew what would show up in the nets. Every trip felt like opening a mystery box, and it was incredible to see so many kinds of marine life up close, from tiny shrimp to a sturgeon!
Left to right: Water quality monitoring; seal spotting; more water quality monitoring; willow harvesting
Beyond the work itself, the people at ACAP made the experience what it was. Everyone was welcoming, encouraging, patient, and genuinely passionate about what they do. As the end of my experience at ACAP approaches, I am more certain than ever about the kind of future I want for myself. This co-op confirmed to me that I want to use my future engineering degree to work on environmental projects that make a real difference. I also learned that I am happiest doing work that allows me to contribute to something meaningful and the importance of a supportive group of people in a work environment.
Setting up the fyke net in Marsh Creek
As I prepare to graduate and continue my education in engineering at The University of British Columbia, I know I will carry this experience with me. Once again, stepping outside my comfort zone gave me the kind of life changing experience that I never would have had otherwise.
So, this is my challenge to anyone reading this: keep testing yourself. Go for it! Say yes to the opportunities waiting for you outside your comfort zone! Worst case, you learn something new. Best case? It becomes one of the best decisions you ever make.