:“For the women of today, a career in science and engineering is a career of challenges, discoveries and travels…”

Keynote speaker Rachel Léger, director of the Montreal Biodôme, delivered those promising words to more than 100 girls at The Study last Thursday at the school’s annual Career Day.

"Follow what interests you" was the recurring theme of the day.

Léger’s career started with her bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of British Columbia. She went on to complete her master’s degree in veterinary microbiology at the Université de Montréal, but, as she added, “My heart is still with aquatic animals.”

Léger’s shared fond memories of her early days with the Biodôme, as her career goes back to the original design and construction team. “Those three years were the most exciting of my career,” she said.

The Biodôme celebrated its 16th anniversary this past summer. “It has aged really well,” said Léger. “The vegetation has matured well and the animals are now well adapted to their environment.” And people have enjoyed visiting the Biodôme, as it expects to welcome its 15-millionth visitor next week.

Once Léger’s presentation wrapped up, the girls attended three different sessions of their choosing in various fields, including journalism and public relations, medicine, law and art history. Over a dozen professionals, many of them Study alumnae and parents, shared their passions and insights with Study students in grades 9 to 11.

Career Day speaks well to The Study’s ideal of educating and shaping great women.