Island scientist gives high school students 'inspiring' career advice

A former Montague Regional High graduate popped by to see students on Friday to show that a career in science isn't limited to lab work.

Ellen Crane told students on Friday thather experience growing up on a farm in rural P.E.I. helped her build a dream career in science.

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She spoke to the students as part of a week-long series organized by Wise Atlantic where scientists visit various schools, aiming to inspiregirls to learn about careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Crane grew up on a beef farm in Lorne Valley, P.E.I., and now, after years studying science in university and college, she's working with the Maritime Beef Council and came to speak to the students about her career path.

"I was encouraged, go be a doctor, go be a nurse, a teacher, go be something else, get off the farm," she said.

"But now I'm getting a chance to come back and helping kids that are part of the next generation as our future farmersand they are going to have a chance to make a living at doing this and that's pretty exciting."

Her message for students on Friday was thata career in science can be anything you make it.

'I think it was really inspiring'

Students in the biology class say her story helped them understand that science is an open-ended career path.

"I think it was really inspiring because she's just from a small kinda town, like around here," saidCarleyMatheson.

"It's just nice to know thateven if you're from a small townyou can do what you wantand you can get the kind of job that you want."

Joel MacEachern, another student at the school, said the presentation is helpful for people who were struggling with what they may want to do later in life.

He said he grew up with a farming background and the presentationopened his eyes to future opportunities.

"You can really get a career anywhere andas long as you work for ityou can get your foot in the door."

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