Partner Organization: Fraser River Discovery Centre, New Westminster, BC 

Jacob supported the Fraser River Discovery Centre during his practicum placement by maintaining exhibition and public engagement activities/spaces and through the development of programs for the 2024 summer camps. He observed school programs to learn about different engagement approaches for children of different ages. The diversity of the team working at the centre and their different skills helped Jacob to understand and experience a collaborative environment. He notes: 

Many of my colleagues here are fellow volunteers and students from other schools like SFU. A lot of them are here as part of their own programs, though many are from other focuses like business, and not anthropology. From a business student perspective, I can see how this would be a great opportunity because it gives them firsthand experience to what it’s like working for a business and the different strategies they need to employ to earn a profit.There was a general staff meeting which I attended. This was good because it let me see where everyone’s priorities were at. There was a heavy focus on public programs and events and advertising for them. Revenue from visitors and clients seems to be our priority. 

Jacob learned the importance of communicating with the team to ensure that tasks are completed to the expected standards: 

I have been tasked with this Summer Camp program creation because everyone else is so busy, which I don’t mind. But because I know they are so busy, I haven’t reached out to them and asked them for their opinions on my work as much I would have liked to or should have. Therefore, this was a great meeting to have because it gave me time to really understand what I had to do, reaffix my goals, and ask the questions I had on my mind, as well as get some feedback. Pretty much, I learned that I should communicate more, even when everyone says they’re busy, because they care enough where they will go out of their way to check in on me and help.