Patrick Nicholson graduated from the University of Guelph for Environmental Engineering in 2006. Patrick has participated in various professional development training throughout Environmental Consulting Career and Volunteer Fire Fighter (Well Construction, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Environmental Management and Assessment).
Patrick became a professor in 2015 teaching measurement principals in the Mechanical Engineering program. He went on to teach part-time for three years in the Environmental Management and Assessment Graduate Certificate Program and Environmental Engineering in the Civil Engineering Technologist Program. Outside of Algonquin College, Patrick has been teaching Judo for over 20 years and currently holds a 2nd-degree black belt.
Patrick’s professional career started as a field engineer investigating hazardous materials in building construction. He developed skills to identify, report and manage environmental hazards from the workplace in accordance with occupations health and safety standards. He then pursued a career in the field of water/well construction and focused contaminated site assessment, hydrogeological investigations, and landfill monitoring and compliance reporting. He gained valuable hands-on experience working on the maintenance and upgrading of water treatment systems for the removal of various environmental contaminants. Patrick worked within a team of Environmental Professionals providing expert support for contaminated sites reviewing historical Environmental Site Assessments, Remediation Reports and Risk Assessments to ensure adherence to applicable criteria.
Patrick’s work in the industry has given him broad exposure to the challenges we face trying to reducing the impact humans have on the ecosystem. It has also taught him the most important aspect of working is to work smarter and not harder and to put your safety and the safety of others around you first before work. This awareness of safety and respect for the environment has influenced his teaching philosophy.
Past industry practices and the lack of environmental compliance have left a legacy of environmental issues that aren't obvious to the untrained eye. His work experience has given him the knowledge to always question everything you see and hear. This way of thinking is what drives him to be an educator in the Environmental Technician program. He wants to give students the tools and skills to be confident and make their mark in the Environmental Industry.
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