The MEIA Student Chapter is designed for university and college students who wish to enhance their knowledge of the environmental industry and to network with potential future employers. Students from all disciplines can join! Architecture, law, engineering, environmental sciences and more.
The MEIA recognizes the uncertainty the pandemic has brought for students.That is why the annual Student Chapter membership has been reduced to $30, half the rate from previous years.
Student Chapter membership begins September 1st and ends August 31st. Membership is available to all post-secondary students in Manitoba. Recent graduates are eligible for Student Chapter membership for up to 2 years after graduation or until they have found full-time employment in the energy, natural resource, or environmental sectors, whichever comes first.
Membership in the Student Chapter comes with many benefits!
Receive job opportunities sent directly to your inbox
Access to networking opportunities such as the Student Chapter’s biannual Speed Mentoring events where you can connect one-on-one with professionals in the environmental sector;
Participate in training seminars offering Student Chapter members the opportunity to develop elevator pitch skills, share ideas, projects and opportunities;
Discounted rates on MEIA professional development learning sessions, workshops and conferences
Scholarship opportunities for members
Opportunity to sit on the Emerging Issues Conference Planning Committee
To renew or to become a member of the MEIA’s Student Chapter, fill out the Member Application Form, or contact MEIA at (204) 783-7090.
Thinking about a career in environmental sector?Click here for an inventory of nearly 130 environmental career profiles.
I was a Student Chapter Member for two or three years back when I was attending the University of Manitoba. I attended a couple of conferences at discounted rates and got to have peer advisors at those conferences. Two people I met at one MEIA conference I ended up working for later!
The most memorable part of being on the Student Chapter was probably having the opportunity to connect with potential employers and colleagues in the field! Interacting and meeting other people definitely boosted my skills and my confidence.
I am now working as an Environmental Planner at Narratives Inc. I’ve been here for just over three years. I do a lot in this role, but appreciate that Narratives actively works to dismantle the effects of colonization and makes space for Indigenous expression. As an Andean-Indigenous woman, this is very important to me. I also appreciate the vast range of projects I work on at Narratives. One of my focuses has been the integration of trauma-informed practice in to the planning and impact assessment areas of my job. I do a lot of writing, qualitative data analysis, interviewing and engagement, etc. It’s a pretty great gig!I attended MEIA conferences and events for 4 years during my Masters Program. MEIA events were one of the few opportunities I had to speak to professionals from the wide range of environmental industries/consulting firms and helped me understand some of the potential career paths I could take post university. In retrospect, these events were impactful in building my confidence as I was learning to more effectively network and communicate. I definitely took those experiences forward with me into my career when attending conferences, facilitating partnerships and meeting with environmental professionals.
One learning moment I can speak to happened in one of the first times I attended a MEIA event and was paired with a mentor from industry. We did not mesh very well. I was interested in social impacts, community engagement and environmental politics and he was approaching issues from a more technical way of thinking. As the conference went on, I almost wanted to leave as it was not going well but as we listened to speakers and I heard him speak about other issues, such as regulatory changes he was working on, I gained some good perspective on how industry approaches big issues such as environmental remediation and recycling. I walked away from that conference with a different perspective of who works on key issues that I was interested in and how changing the way that I communicate with others could lead to more meaningful connections.
Currently I work as a Program Officer at Indigenous Services Canada-Manitoba Region in Winnipeg. Through my work I have had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of programs including community planning, governance, social programming and educational funding for on reserve First Nations.Being part of the MEIA Student Chapter was an essential part of my university experience. Over three years, I not only became a member but also had the privilege of serving on the Executive Committee, first as the Events Coordinator, and later as the Social Media Coordinator. Through these roles, I honed my organizational skills and deepened my commitment to the environmental sector. It was a period of growth and learning that set the foundation for my career.
The MEIA Student Chapter was instrumental in connecting me with key players in the field. These relationships not only expanded my professional network but also broadened my understanding of the job sector. It was through these connections that I eventually found a job opportunity that aligned perfectly with my aspirations. The events hosted by the Student Chapter were undeniably the highlights of my time there. Engaging with mentors provided a unique perspective that bridged the gap between what I learned in class and its real-world application. I gained insights that are simply not attainable through textbooks, gaining an appreciation for how academia and practical experience are intertwined.
Now, as an Environmental Scientist/Technician at Parsons Canada Inc., I look back at my MEIA Student Chapter journey with gratitude. It was a pivotal chapter that shaped my professional journey. I encourage every aspiring environmental professional to seek out opportunities like the MEIA Student Chapter. It has the potential to be the launching pad for your own transformative journey.