Reflections After Another Internship at the CSA

Chantelle G. Dubois
Sep 4, 2018 · 4 min read

Last Friday I left the John H. Chapman Space Centre, headquarters of the Canadian Space Agency, for the last time as an intern. It’s really hard not to appreciate my life at the CSA— I got to work with the robotics team on a lunar rover prototype, in a government building tucked away in a scenic corner of Saint-Hubert, and lived in downtown Montréal, walking distance from Mont-Royal and all summer festivities around the city. Driving distance from Montréal are numerous places to hike, swim, enjoy nature, and explore. In early May I visited Mont Tremblant, still sleepy before the summer season; went to Québec City and walked along the fortification walls while eating ice cream; and took a chilly boat ride in Tadoussac to see whales in the Saint Lawrence. It’s easy to fall in love with Québec.

Of course, the friendships and relationships I developed only enriched my summer experiences. A number of acquaintances that I knew through my student/young professional space networks became close friends; I continued to learn from and develop positive professional relationships with colleagues at work; I worked with contractors who also taught me a lot; and had a number of meaningful conversations with others who were willing to lend their time over coffee, lunch, or small chat during work. These one-on-one, candid conversations would turn out to be very important in helping me piece it all together.

One of the things I had been trying to workthrough, was what do I do after I graduate? Do I try to go into industry? Do I try to return to the government? Do I buy a boat and sail off into the sunset and forget about society all together? That question of what to do next made me really reflect on my motivations. Why did I choose space? Could I feel the same way about anything else? What motivated me to get to the point that I am now?

I chose space because I recognized it as something that can bring together all of humanity. We often talk about how we achieve international cooperation through projects like the International Space Station, but to even get to the point of putting a giant science lab in orbit, we need to bring together people on Earth. So many perspectives from different discplines and cultures are brought together, trandscending differences to achieve a common goal. It’s challenging in so many different ways, beyond just engineering and science. I think getting to a point of being able to explore space is humanity being able to self-actualize; putting resources and effort into knowing a little more about the universe around us, and in turn, knowing more about ourselves and how we got here. Space is simultaneously romantic and pragmatic as an endeavour. Using the words of the CSA’s HQ namesake, space truly is a thread that brings us all together.

Could I feel the same way about anything else? Most certainly. I feel like I’ve had the chance to explore a few different career avenues, from hospitality to journalism. It has always been important to me to find a passion, and live life doing something that I love. And I think I could have loved many different other careers just as much, for very different reasons. But I chose space. It wasn’t a default option. It wasn’t even the easiest, nor the most lucrative. But it’s a choice that has brought me great fulfillment. I like that I can be challenged in numerous ways in the space industry. Through the CSA I’ve had a chance to learn about the astronaut selection process, about space medicine and how we can leverage Canadian expertise in clinical medicine, international cooperation and space regulation, and of course in robotics and software. This variation of experiences and insight excites me and is something so easily obtained in the space sector if you know where to look.

Finally, what motivated me to get to the point that I am now? In the things I’ve excelled at, and the things I’ve put the most time and energy in, it’s the sense of contribution that I think has driven me the furthest. I don’t necessarily want to be in the spotlight, I don’t have to be the most important person, I am not particularly motivated by money or status, but I do need to feel like the work I’m doing can make a difference.

With that realization, it became much clearer to me about where I want to be a year from now, once I’ve graduated.

I thought my departure at the end of this summer would feel more bittersweet. I hate saying goodbye, I’ve become pretty fond of my colleagues at the agency, and really like my life in Montréal. But, the departure was only sweet. As I did my rounds of saying goodbye in the office, I had many genuine and very touching comments about my work this summer. I left on such a high note, and like things in my life are falling into place.

I’m back in Winnipeg now, and on Wednesday I begin the first day of my final year. It’s been quite a journey to get to this point. I definitely took the scenic route, but I would never have found such a beautiful view any other way. In the meantime, I plan to make the most out of this year, and look forward to finally moving on to the next chapter of my life. I think about all the things I’ve been able to do and accomplish while trying to balance work and academics, and I can’t imagine what even bigger things I will be able to tackle when my energy is free to focus on my career.

With that, I leave a link to one of my favourite inspirational videos (about space).

Chantelle G. Dubois

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