In this image released by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Sudbury 17 wildfire burns east of Mississagi Provincial Park near Elliot Lake, Ontario, on Sunday, June 4, 2023 handout photo. (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry/The Canadian Press via AP)

by Julia Leary, Career Advisor & Educator, University of Guelph

Does all this smoke have you fired up about climate change or even wondering about some of the logistics of fighting fires on this scale?

Paying attention to problems and issues like this that really pull your attention is a great way to tune into potential career pathways.

Using the current wildfires in Canada as an example, think about some of the challenges or problems that need working on. This might include things like:

• Fighting the causes of climate change
• Researching how wildfires impact native populations of plants and animals and if/how they regenerate
• Addressing the human health impacts of wildfire smoke inhalation
• Being a part of international government relations when smoke crosses boarders
• Finding novel ways to fight large-scale forest fires

What else comes to mind for you?

Once you've identified a challenge you're interested in tackling or learning more about, you can then research companies and organizations that are working on that challenge, and then explore who they hire to do that work.

Then, BINGO!

You've found a value-connected, potential career pathway! This method for exploring careers is called the Challenge Mindset.

What challenges or problems facing our world are you interested in working on?

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