TOOLKITS

Postsecondary & Early Career

Introduction

No matter where you live or how far from the ocean’s shoreline you may be, we all have a connection to and impact on the ocean.

This toolkit enables postsecondary students and early career professionals to learn about opportunities and potential career pathways in the ocean sector. Dive into personal narratives and insights from ocean innovators and entrepreneurs working in diverse fields, as well as timely information about emerging trends, career programs, and resources.

It is our hope that you are inspired to consider how your knowledge, skills, and creativity can help contribute to and shape Canada’s growing – sustainable and equitable – blue economy.

This toolkit was curated by ECOP Canada and Ocean Networks Canada.

Learning Objectives

This toolkit will support you to:

Examine your relationship with the ocean and issues that are impacting ocean health
Discover how the creation of a sustainable blue economy in Canada can support community livelihoods while ensuring a healthy future ocean
Explore how your interests and skills can be applied to different career paths in the ocean sector
Get inspired by the stories of innovators who have created a non-linear career path

Transforming the Ocean Sector

Discover sustainable practices and opportunities that support the well-being of people and the ocean.

What is the Sustainable Blue Economy?

What is the sustainable blue economy and why is it important for Canada’s economic growth and ocean health? In this short video, youth voices and leading ocean experts introduce viewers to the sustainable blue economy and how Canada can be a leader in shaping a healthy future ocean and livelihoods.

Why do we need to develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy?

The Ocean Decade Challenges is a global call to action for individuals and their communities to generate knowledge, support innovation, and develop solutions for equitable and sustainable development of the ocean sector. This short video makes clear the connections that exist between ocean health and global livelihoods.

DEFINITION!

Blue Economy: The World Bank defines the blue economy as “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.” Simply put, it’s about striking the balance between economic, social, and environmental priorities. Increasingly, advocates are reframing the blue economy to include the freshwater sector.

Engaging on Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy – What we heard report

Canada has an opportunity to harness its ocean growth potential by “building back better—and bluer.” Explore the Government of Canada’s ocean strategy report to hear what Canadians shared as being essential elements for positioning Canada’s blue economy for growth and success.

READ THE REPORT

Ecological Principles for Canada’s Ocean Economy

Wondering what makes for a sustainable blue economy? Identified by Nature Canada and 17 partner organizations, explore seven ecological principles that underpin a sustainable blue economy. These principles aim to ensure the protection of ocean ecosystems, mitigation of climate change, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Photo credit: Thomas Lipke (Unsplash)

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The Vision for a Circular Economy – Addressing Ocean Plastic

Saying no to single-use plastics can help prevent plastic from entering the ocean. Moving to a circular economy offers an even greater solution to prevent plastic pollution. This video explains why we must shift our focus to innovations and business models that design out waste, keep materials in use, and protect and restore the environment.

WATCH THE VIDEO

DEFINITION!

Circular Economy: Innovations and business models that provide incentives to design out waste and pollution and prioritize the health of our environment. The Circular Economy is a regenerative model that reuses materials and products, rather than throw them away and extract new resources.

Learn About Issues & Challenges

Dive deeper into some of the issues and challenges we are facing to preserve and restore a healthy ocean and what you can do to take action.

Bamfield Marine Science Centre Climate Action Series

This interactive webinar series tackles the most important ocean issues and challenges of our time, while empowering you to be part of the climate solution. Explore inspiring topics and conversations with experts. Topics include, for example, facing climate change while taking care of your mental health, innovative ocean technology, and better understanding Indigenous knowledge of our ecosystems and how you can support Indigenous water stewards.

Ready to dive into this series? Start with these 3 episodes to expand your knowledge on ocean topics and climate action.

Photo credit: Bureau of Land Management (salmon), Ocean Networks Canada (octopus)

Meet Some Ocean Innovators

Inspiring stories and advice from ocean role models and innovators who are overcoming challenges and leading the way when it comes to caring for the ocean and making a living.

Early Career Ocean Innovators

Dive into this collection of stories and advice from young ocean innovators in Canada whose work spans diverse disciplines. Learn how they have used their talent and skills to support a healthy ocean and create exciting career pathways in the ocean sector.

Photo credit: Tiare Buoys

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Role Models Making Waves

Ocean Allies strives to give access, engage, and continuously support a diverse workforce in Canada’s ocean sector. Their gallery of industry role models will surely inspire underrepresented folks looking to get into a career in the ocean tech sector.

Photo credit: Ocean Allies Kenneth Oguzie

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Women in Ocean Science

Like most STEM fields, ocean science has an imbalance in demographic representation from entry level to leadership positions. Although some progress has been made, barriers persist that mean some people do not have equal opportunities to be involved. Explore videos of women working to transform ocean science.

Photo credit: Ingenium and UNESCO

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Early Career Ocean Innovators

Photo credit: Tiare Buoys

Role Models Making Waves

Photo credit: Ocean Allies Kenneth Oguzie

Women in Ocean Science

Photo credit: Ingenium and UNESCO

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Training, Opportunities & Networks

Not sure how to break into the ocean sector? Explore these professional networks, job, and development opportunities in Canada’s blue economy.

Blue Futures Pathways – Career Resources

Blue Futures Pathways (BFP) offers six free, interactive, online, and on-demand* learning resources exploring different aspects of the Sustainable Blue Economy. Each module will prompt you to think about the issues related to the ocean and freshwater systems, and allow you to examine the career pathways of diverse professionals. These modules are part of a larger PORT – a digital one-stop spot for youth and early career professionals exploring opportunities, resources, and talent pathways in the sustainable blue economy. *Registration is required.

Photo credit: Samantha McBeth

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Ocean StartUp Project – Ocean LEARN

A series of ocean-related business workshops featuring ocean entrepreneurs and ocean industry leaders. Ocean-specific content is explored through foundational business topics such as customer discovery, financial predictions, managing intellectual property, and investment readiness. Registration is required. New workshop offerings are added regularly.

Photo credit: Ocean Network Canada

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Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Mentors

The CDL Oceans stream brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and leading scientists from around the world focused on disruptive technologies to transform the ocean economy. Looking to learn from the best or to become a Fellow? Then check out their CDL Mentors program!

Photo credit: Ocean Network Canada

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Join a network of Early Career Ocean Professionals in Canada

Unlock meaningful networking and development opportunities in the ocean sector by joining a free network of Early Ocean Career Professionals (ECOPs) in Canada and around the globe. ECOP Canada aims to elevate and strengthen the diverse voices of ECOPs and ensure that the vast potential of early career professions is fully maximized and supported by organizations in the ocean sector.

Photo credit: Aneri Garg – Barkley sound (traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations)

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Ocean Technology Council Nova Scotia (OTCNS) Careers in the Ocean Sector

From acoustic engineer to specialist in human resources, there’s a lot of career pathways on the OTCNS careers site to explore. Each career profile highlights what the role involves, the skills required, prospect employers, the employment outlook, and more!

Photo credit: Ed McNichol for Ocean Networks Canada

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Ocean Wise – Ocean Bridge Program

Are you looking to position yourself as a changemaker in your community while building skills, a network, and contributing to ocean conservation? This six-month part-time program by Ocean Wise is for people aged 18 to 30 located anywhere in Canada. The program equips ambassadors with relevant skills and funding opportunities to design and deliver ocean and freshwater action projects that are implemented on a local or national scale.

Photo credit: Ocean Networks Canada

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Making Sustainable Seafood Choices

Ocean careers aside, we all need to make good choices and take action in our personal lives that ensures a healthy ocean for generations to come. Did you know that Canadians, on average, consume over 8.5Kg of food from the sea per person each year? Explore these tools to help you choose which seafood to put on your plate while supporting a healthy ocean ecosystem and sustainable fishing practices.

Canada’s Seafood Guide

A convenient travel size guide will help you to make sustainable seafood choices. Items are listed using a colour key based on how and where seafood was caught or farmed. A list of must ask questions when you shop or dine are included to assist with your decision making.

Photo credit: Adrien Sala (Unsplash)

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Start Your Sustainable Seafood Journey

Food insecurity is becoming a growing concern for the global population but supporting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture offers a solution. Explore how you can make sustainable choices and support responsible fishers to protect this vital resource.

Photo credit: askabiologist

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The Plastics Problem

As outlined in the Ocean Plastics Charter, “plastics are one of the most revolutionary inventions of the past century and play an important role in our economy and daily lives.” However, the way we produce, use, manage, and dispose of plastics poses a significant threat to the health of local waterways, the ocean, and the species within, and to our own livelihoods and human health.

Ocean of Good – Why are plastics a problem?

How does plastic pollution enter the ocean and how does it impact ocean health? Discover what choices and actions you can take in your everyday life to reduce plastic in the ocean and create a positive change.

Photo credit: Tim Mossholder (Unsplash)

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Plastic Pollution – Lessons and Solutions

Ocean Legacy Foundation and EPIC Academy enable anyone, anywhere with internet, access to learning resources so they may better understand the devastation being caused by plastic pollution and potential solutions. Two levels of learning exist: Plastics 101 – Introduction to Ocean Plastics and Ocean Plastics 201 – A Deeper Dive.

Photo credit: Sören Funk (Unsplash)

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Natural Step – The Canada Plastics Pact

Natural Step Canada, a national charity experienced in advancing projects that foster inclusive economies able to thrive within nature’s limits, partnered with US-based Ellen MacArthur Foundation and launched The Canada Plastics Pact in January 2021. Learn how this new plastics economy initiative has united more than 1,000 organisations behind a common vision for a circular economy for plastic.

Photo credit: Cristian Palmer (Unsplash)

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Ocean of Good – Why are plastics a problem?

Photo credit: Tim Mossholder (Unsplash)

Plastic Pollution – Lessons and Solutions

Photo credit: Sören Funk (Unsplash)

Natural Step – The Canada Plastics Pact

Photo credit: Cristian Palmer (Unsplash)

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Connect & Share

Dive deeper into more resources focused on career pathways, training opportunities and networks, ocean challenges and solutions, and leaders in the ocean space.

Bridging Indigenous Knowledge & Western Science

An Indigenous-led non-profit organization, Ikaarvik, was envisioned over a decade ago by a group of youth in Pond Inlet, Nunavut, who wanted to create greater and more meaningful Indigenous involvement and leadership in Arctic research. Ikaarvik youth identify and address their communities’ local research priorities, combining both Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science.

Photo credit: Ikaarvik

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The Indigenous Knowledge Social Network

SIKU is a mobile app and web platform by and for Inuit, which provides tools and services for ice safety, knowledge transfer, language preservation, and weather. It includes profiles of wildlife, sea ice, and traditional place names in multiple dialects to share Inuit knowledge using modern technology and community-based data.

Photo credit: Ocean Networks Canada

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Environmental Career Profiles

Check out this inventory of nearly 130 environmental careers. Each career profile provides a snapshot of the profession, including job duties, work environment, educational requirements, and related careers. ECO Canada also features resources, funding opportunities, a job board, and online training programs to build skills, foster job creation, and enhance career paths for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Photo credit: Ocean Networks Canada

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Ocean Networks Canada

Science Hub

Join the Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) Science Hub to get inspired and take part in the conversation about the latest ocean innovations, art and storytelling projects, instruments, and experiments that ONC supports. This hub has a science and art focus but anyone with a passion for the ocean is encouraged to join!

Photo credit: Ocean Networks Canada

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Navigating Change: An Examination of the Current State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Canada’s Ocean Sector

This 2021 report addresses the common barriers faced by five historically underrepresented groups in ocean-related industries: Indigenous peoples, women, immigrants, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities. The researchers raise the importance of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Canada’s ocean sector. The report concludes with sector and employer recommendations that outline first steps that ocean sector businesses could take to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their workplaces.

Photo credit: Ocean Networks Canada

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Let’s Talk Science – Ocean Career Profiles

Let’s Talk Science features a range of professionals from various disciplines and interests in science, the environmental, and the ocean sector. Each career profile highlights what each professional does, their skills, career path, motivations, advice, how they impact others, and their passions. Explore the career profile search engine and check out profiles featuring ocean professionals by searching “Oceans” under the “Subject” filter.

Photo credit: Francoise Gervais for Ocean Networks Canada

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