Georgian College

8 GEORGIANVIEW 2024 PRINT EDITION ALUMNI STORIES From meal prep to nuclear power generation Chelsea Smith (class of 2020) always had a 'can-do' attitude. Whether it was running her parents' health food store or starting her own vegan catering company and meal prep service, she made sure to put in the time and effort needed to be successful. She has continuously accomplished everything she set her mind to, but then she discovered something she couldn't do. She could make a mean vegan meal but couldn't fix the engine in her car. As someone who prides herself on being self-reliant, it bothered her and actually propelled her into a completely different direction in her career. "I had also burned myself out from my business," she admits. "I couldn't go home and shut off my brain when I wasn't at work. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and think about paying a bill or calling someone back. I wanted to get out of running my own business. I wanted to go to a job that paid well, but when I was done for the day, I could just go home and not think about it anymore and I could have a better work-life balance." She started thinking about taking a program that would teach her mechanical skills that she lacked, and after talking to a few friends and doing research, she chose the Power Engineering Technology program at Georgian's Owen Sound Campus. "As a mature student, the learning curve is steep when you start and it's mostly because you don't remember how to study or how to learn," she recalls. "You do figure it out quite quickly. I found as a mature student I had a lot more discipline than when I was younger." She caught on quickly and even became a mentor to other students in the program, garnering a leadership award from the Town of Owen Sound, based on a nomination from her program coordinator. Right after graduation, Chelsea started working as a Nuclear Operator at Ontario Power Generation where she felt welcome. Her advice for women who want to get into power engineering is to go for it. "I believe this sector is looking to hire more women, so I think if you do well in school, your career prospects are bright," she says. Chelsea now works for Bruce Power, an important Georgian partner. "Bruce Power's collaboration with Georgian College significantly enhances educational and career opportunities for students and alumni through supporting upgraded learning facilities and providing hands-on, work-integrated experiences that are integral to both student development and Bruce Power's operational needs," says Dave Shorey, Executive Director, Owen Sound Campus. "This robust partnership fosters a skilled workforce that is well-prepared for the evolving demands of the clean energy sector."

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