Meet Jasmin Skinner – Scientific Writer and Media Communicator

While most kids get asked “what do you want to be when you get older?” or “what do you want to study in school?” strangers always seemed most interested in where I came from, not where I was going.

Making friends did not come naturally to me as a kid, something I attributed that to looking different than everyone else. In truth it was likely just kids being kids, but as a young and sensitive child I really tried to shy away from anything that made me fundamentally different from others. But, I think facing these rejections made me into the person I am today: someone that is finally comfortable embracing the absurdity – and the stereotype.

Science books eventually turned into science classes, which turned into biology laboratories, which is where my love of science truly began. Being able to actually see the topics we discussed in front of me was truly eye-opening, in more ways than one. Once I arrived to Western University, positively giddy to start dissecting frogs, the reality of lab work hit me. The regimented routine, strict dress code, and lack of room for creativity really stifled my enjoyment of learning. After changing around my major a few times, I confidently settled in pursuing an Honours Specialization in Biology, with focused interest in environmental biology.

Image: One of the best visitors I had all summer.

What these long titles essentially mean is I am endlessly fascinated by nature. The interconnectedness of every little aspect of an ecosystem is something I could spend ages exploring, and something I did explore during my time with Ontario Parks.

Working at a provincial park and seeing firsthand how our actions directly affect the environment was truly, for lack of a better word, radicalizing.

At the risk of sounding like a tree hugger, I truly fell in love with Ontario’s forests and wetlands, and will hopefully continue that love long into my future. While my work at a provincial park was truly fulfilling, it did come with one unforeseen downfall: children.

When applying for the position with the visitor center, I neglected to think of the fact that the people I would most often be interacting with would be those that still possessed their baby teeth. This is why I think I’ve enjoyed working with the writing team at InsideScientific so much — I’m still able to share my love of science but on a much wider scale.

While still relatively new to the team, I already feel so welcomed by everyone – not just the writing team, but the whole of InsideScientific. It is not often you enter a position in which the founder of the company will take an entire day to sit down and chat with you. Writing was never the creative pursuit I thought I’d end up in, but it is one that I love more and more everyday that I do it.

Outside of work, I try to keep all those passions I had as a child alive the best I can. Art remains an ever present part of my life, whether that’s making posters for local bands or simply doodling at the beach, I try to keep the artistic corner of my brain active. I also try to get outside as much as possible and have made it my mission to walk the entirety of the Thames Valley Parkway.

If you ever find me on a trail looking confusedly up into the trees or at the ground, worry not, for I have likely found a weird species and would be more than happy to tell you about it.

Image: “1 Chair, 3 shadows”

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