Master of Archival Studies and Library and Information Studies
2020/21 UBC iSchool MAS Co-op Student of the Year
Excellence in the Workplace
In her role with the Stewardship Unit of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Maaike led the development of an Indigenous Relations Database that captured a wide range of information, such as the distribution of Canadian Wildlife Service funding, levels of engagement, and occurrence of species at risk and their critical habitat.
Maaike built a complex relational database from the ground up, using what her supervisor described as “her unfettered resourcefulness and drive.” She also delivered formal presentations to the Regional Director, Heads, and Managers on the utility of the database, as well as training sessions to staff on its use and management. Additionally, Maaike coordinated and recorded proceedings, as well as developed documentation for national workshops that facilitate Indigenous involvement in species at risk listing and recovery planning processes.
Maaike’s supervisor was “consistently impressed” with how much she was able to accomplish during her 8-month work term, and commends her for being able to support numerous important projects across the CWS, both regionally and nationally.
Community Involvement
The Indigenous Relations Database, Maaike’s main project, was developed to facilitate the organization’s meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities across BC on matters relating to the conservation and recovery of species at risk. With this database, Maaike has helped enable the CWS to identify communities that could benefit from things like increased resources or funding, as well as areas that CWS staff would benefit from collaborating with communities on the land – all of which would ultimately work towards building and enhancing long-lasting relationships.
Maaike states that working on a project designed to assist a branch of the Canadian government to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities on matters directly affecting our environment has been “more rewarding than I could ever express. It has been an honour to play even a small part in efforts to build and maintain these crucial relationships.”
Co-op: A Foundation for Future Success
Maaike admits that since she had no prior database development or co-op experience, she was intimidated by the thought of undertaking this database project. However, over the course of her co-op, she was able to learn the fundamentals of database design and become proficient in both MS Access and MySQL. She grappled with the misconception that she was fundamentally unqualified for any computer science-based work, and instead focused on gaining the skills one step at a time. As a result, Maaike was able to complete the Indigenous Relations Database project – an achievement that she feels has been the proudest moment of her career thus far. This experience challenged her perception that computer science was entirely incompatible with an Arts background, and allowed her to imagine a career in the tech industry, which previously seemed out of reach.
Maaike adds that the support she received from her peers, colleagues, instructors, and mentors in the iSchool community throughout the course of her co-op term helped her transform her technical prowess, confidence, and professional and personal network, and has subsequently opened the door to a possible new career path.
About the iSchool Co-op Student of the Year Award
The Arts Co-op Program’s Student of the Year Award recognizes two co-op students in UBC iSchool (Library, Archival, and Information Studies). Two annual awards of $1,000 are available: one to a MLIS or dual student (who used their MLIS background on the co-op job) and the other to a MAS or dual student (who used their MAS background on the co-op job).
These annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in all aspects of the UBC iSchool co-op student’s performance, including academics, the workplace, and professional/community involvement.
Master of Archival Studies and Library and Information Studies
2020/21 UBC iSchool MAS Co-op Student of the Year
Excellence in the Workplace
In her role with the Stewardship Unit of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Maaike led the development of an Indigenous Relations Database that captured a wide range of information, such as the distribution of Canadian Wildlife Service funding, levels of engagement, and occurrence of species at risk and their critical habitat.
Maaike built a complex relational database from the ground up, using what her supervisor described as “her unfettered resourcefulness and drive.” She also delivered formal presentations to the Regional Director, Heads, and Managers on the utility of the database, as well as training sessions to staff on its use and management. Additionally, Maaike coordinated and recorded proceedings, as well as developed documentation for national workshops that facilitate Indigenous involvement in species at risk listing and recovery planning processes.
Maaike’s supervisor was “consistently impressed” with how much she was able to accomplish during her 8-month work term, and commends her for being able to support numerous important projects across the CWS, both regionally and nationally.
Community Involvement
The Indigenous Relations Database, Maaike’s main project, was developed to facilitate the organization’s meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities across BC on matters relating to the conservation and recovery of species at risk. With this database, Maaike has helped enable the CWS to identify communities that could benefit from things like increased resources or funding, as well as areas that CWS staff would benefit from collaborating with communities on the land – all of which would ultimately work towards building and enhancing long-lasting relationships.
Maaike states that working on a project designed to assist a branch of the Canadian government to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities on matters directly affecting our environment has been “more rewarding than I could ever express. It has been an honour to play even a small part in efforts to build and maintain these crucial relationships.”
Co-op: A Foundation for Future Success
Maaike admits that since she had no prior database development or co-op experience, she was intimidated by the thought of undertaking this database project. However, over the course of her co-op, she was able to learn the fundamentals of database design and become proficient in both MS Access and MySQL. She grappled with the misconception that she was fundamentally unqualified for any computer science-based work, and instead focused on gaining the skills one step at a time. As a result, Maaike was able to complete the Indigenous Relations Database project – an achievement that she feels has been the proudest moment of her career thus far. This experience challenged her perception that computer science was entirely incompatible with an Arts background, and allowed her to imagine a career in the tech industry, which previously seemed out of reach.
Maaike adds that the support she received from her peers, colleagues, instructors, and mentors in the iSchool community throughout the course of her co-op term helped her transform her technical prowess, confidence, and professional and personal network, and has subsequently opened the door to a possible new career path.
About the iSchool Co-op Student of the Year Award
The Arts Co-op Program’s Student of the Year Award recognizes two co-op students in UBC iSchool (Library, Archival, and Information Studies). Two annual awards of $1,000 are available: one to a MLIS or dual student (who used their MLIS background on the co-op job) and the other to a MAS or dual student (who used their MAS background on the co-op job).
These annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in all aspects of the UBC iSchool co-op student’s performance, including academics, the workplace, and professional/community involvement.