Youth on Board: Amanda Henderson’s Journey to the Canadian Coast Guard

Meet Amanda Henderson, a fourth year Forensic Science and Biology student at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. Over the summer, Amanda worked for the Canadian Coast Guard in their Maritime Security Branch’s Capacity Building Division as an analyst. 

Amanda worked to support maritime security through capacity building, by attending international meetings and working groups, and supporting capacity building deployments. She also collaborated with her colleagues and partner nations to support efforts aimed at enhancing maritime safety and security. 

“Working with the team provided me the opportunity to explore how my academic studies relate to maritime security,” she said. “I was able to refine skills that I had developed through my first two terms with FSWEP (Federal Student Work Experience Program), and develop new skills that will help me in my academic and future career.”

Amanda’s work focused on increasing Canada’s capacity building contributions. By working with multiple countries, she learned valuable skills like teamwork, leadership and communication. 

She also learned about the illicit activities that the Canadian Coast Guard’s Capacity Building Division works to prevent at sea by supporting other government departments and international partners.

 The division provides capabilities training in areas of core coast guard expertise, including search and rescue, emergency response, small boat operations, and others.

“This summer was eye opening,” she said, adding that now she understands how countries come together to increase safety and security of all waterways.

Not only that, she’s also come to learn about the various ways that the division works to implement Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy. 

“The strategy works to maintain jobs, food and transportation, which all rely on safe waters,” she said.