Meet Haley Branch
Haley Branch graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Evolution & Forest Conservation Science, as well as a Master of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Toronto in 2015 and 2016, respectively. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Botany at the University of British Columbia. In her spare time, Haley likes to crochet (amigurumi), knit, and also loves music and dance. She had previous plans to pursue a career in ballet, however injuries in high school prevented her from continuing down that pathway. She also loves to bake, and tries to bake something new once a month. This month she made a butternut squash, herb and cheddar souffle. Next month she’s thinking of making lavender and pistachio macarons.
When did your love of STEM begin?
I hadn't really considered STEM as my career of choice until I was around 17 years old. It wasn't that I disliked science, I just wouldn't have called it my passion. However, I have always loved nature; the trees, the animals, the grass. Seeing "An Inconvenient Truth" in the 8th grade was when I first really become aware of and upset about the impacts that humans have had on the Earth. So, when I realized that ballet was not going to be the right path for me, I started to take classes that would allow me to apply for a science degree, so that I could do my part against Climate Change.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
As someone who grew up as more of an artist, I always have friends ask me whether or not I miss being creative. However, I find STEM to be incredibly creative. I love how there isn't an end to science. I can ask a question, dream up ways to answer that question, and the more you answer, the more questions you have. Now that may be daunting for some, but the infinite directions one can go is what really inspires me.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
I was once a young girl who wasn't sure of herself, particularly in the world of STEM. I would say to her and to any other young women to do what we do best in STEM - experiment. Try different things and see what sticks. I remember in my second year of undergrad, all the courses were filled and all that remained was a botany class. I was not excited about this, in fact I was expecting not to enjoy it at all. However, it ended up being my favourite class. I changed my major because of that class and pursued a double major honours degree in plant sciences. I am now a huge plant nerd and I am so proud to be one. I guess my advice is that you never know what you will love to do unless you try and keep an open mind.