Hugo Asselin (he/him)

When I was in high school, I wanted to be a veterinarian. But by the time I got to CEGEP, I was trying to decide what I wanted to do. I started in the natural sciences. Then I switched to the humanities. Later, I did a bit of both. I finally decided to go into biology at university. I figured I could still learn about animals as well as other things. Even at this stage, I was not sure what I wanted to do. I even considered journalism! 

During my undergraduate studies, a professor asked me if I'd be interested in doing a master’s in forest ecology. The subject was interesting, and she offered me a scholarship. That was important (you have to pay the rent!). Also, the project was in my home region. So, I started my master’s program. Then I met an inspiring professor who had come to give a lecture at my university. I said to myself, "If I'm going to do a PhD, it's got to be with him!” I asked him if he had a project I could work on, and he said yes. 

I did a PhD in paleoecology. This is the study of ecology of the past using plant and animal fossils. After I completed this degree, I wanted to get back into the humanities and social sciences. I was lucky and honored to be accepted by Indigenous communities during my post-doctoral internship. They trusted me and shared their knowledge with me. My somewhat special path gradually led me to my current position as a university professor. Here I can devote myself to all my interests at the same time. But I didn’t plan this career path in advance. I went where there are good opportunities to learn and trusted that there would be a place for me somewhere.