Q: What is your name?
A: Sabrina Gauthier
Q: What are your pronouns?
A: She / Her / Hers
Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now?
A: Revelstoke, B.C. is my hometown and where I live now.
Q: What did you take at OC? When did you graduate?
A: I started in the Gateway to Building Trades for Women in 2013, followed by the Carpenter and Joiner Foundation program, and continuing on to complete my Red Seal in Carpentry at the Kelowna campus in 2018. I had been interested in the SBT program for years and as soon as I had my trade ticket, I signed up for the program and graduated spring 2021.
Q: What is your current position?
A: Following the program, I worked as a lead carpenter on a net zero ready modular home. Now, I am building a custom tiny home.
Q: Why did you choose your program at OC? How does it relate to what you’re
doing now?
A: I chose the SBT program because, as a carpenter, I was learning firsthand that things could be done differently and be done better. I wanted to be part of a positive shift in the industry to becoming more sustainable and more inclusive. The program relates to what I’m doing now as I develop leadership skills and awareness of how the building I’m doing can be done more sustainably.
Q: What was one of your most meaningful memories during your time at OC?
A: My absolute favourite part of attending Okanagan College for many years is the friends I made in each program. They are friends I will have forever and I’m so thankful for the laughs and connections made!
Q: What do you think has been the biggest turning point for your career success?
A: Any time I have followed my intuition and made a big decision, like starting my apprenticeship, or the SBT program, have been big turning points for building a successful career.
Q: What advice would you pass on to current/future students?
A: Finish what you start!
Q: When you’re not working, what are you doing?
A: Fly fishing, mountain biking, splitboarding or tinkering on a sewing or building project at home.
Connect with Sabrina:
Sustainable Building Technology Diploma (formerly Sustainable Construction Management Technology Diploma)
Be an agent of change as the built environment shifts to a net-zero energy, water and carbon future. Understand building science, technology, systems thinking and project management to deliver healthy, high-performance buildings.