From Niche Interest to Career Path: Isabel Rose’s SEDV Journey

For Isabel Rose, the Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Development (SEDV) opened the door to a field she once thought might be out of reach. 

After completing her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science at Western University, Rose found herself exploring different career paths and considering where her interests could take her. When she discovered the SEDV program at the School of Public Policy, she quickly recognized an opportunity to combine her academic background with her interest in sustainability. 

The program led her to pursue a capstone project with Goodwill Industries of Alberta, where she explored the intersection of circular economy principles, sustainability, and practical solutions for textile waste. 

“I chose to go with Goodwill because I'd always really been interested in fashion and textile sustainability,” Rose said.

Sustainable Fashion and Textiles 

Rose honed her interest in textile sustainability through an elective course with Prof. Helga Vanthournout, where she was introduced to the principles of the circular economy. 

“In that elective, I did a project on fashion and textiles, specifically focused on fast fashion, and how to make that industry more circular,” she explained. 

The fashion and textile industry generates approximately 92 million tonnes of waste globally, placing significant demands on energy resources while fast fashion continues to drive the accumulation of textile waste. 

“It really is a big sustainability crisis, the amount of energy going into producing these materials shipping them out, and the amount that ultimately ends up as waste,” Rose said. 

Her capstone research project focused on ways to extend the life of textiles through three strategies: repair, e-commerce, and upcycling. While Rose found that each strategy could be effective under the right circumstances, she also recognized that no single solution could address the scale of the fashion industry waste. 

Her research also considered how these approaches could contribute to sustainable employment through Goodwill’s sustainability program. 

“Because these strategies can be implemented through Goodwill’s sustainable employment programs, it creates sustainable jobs for individuals facing barriers to employment,” she said.

Opening Doors Through the Capstone 

Beyond the research itself, Rose said her capstone provided opportunities to develop her skills, build connections, and explore potential career pathways. 

“Because the field is niche, I thought that it wouldn’t be available for me to work on in Calgary, Alberta. But Goodwill and the capstone opened the door for me in so many ways,” she said. 

The project also gave Rose opportunities to connect with professionals working in the sector. Through her research partnership with Goodwill, she had the opportunity to attend conferences, including the Recycling Council of Alberta’s Circularity Conference in Calgary, where she was able to expand her network and learn more from professionals within the textile sustainability industry. 

The experience has left Rose eager to continue exploring the work she began through her capstone. 

“I would love to help implement strategies further,” Rose shared.

“Do It Scared” 

Looking back on her SEDV experience, Rose said the process also taught her how to navigate uncertainty and push through moments of self-doubt. 

For future students entering the program, she encourages them to approach their work with determination, even when they are unsure of where the path will lead. 

“I like the quote, ‘do it scared.’ There were a lot of times I felt I wasn’t going to complete my project or just felt a lot of self-doubt, but that didn’t get me anywhere. Pushing forward did, however.”