Exactly what that was remained unclear until he joined the Environment Canterbury summer student programme.
Every year, several budding students help to test waterways and recreational swimming sites throughout Canterbury to ensure the regular monitoring and reporting of water quality.
Mr Heenan was involved for two seasons while completing a bachelor of science and geography at the University of Otago.
It was there the then 21-year-old got his first practical insight into the world of surface water science — hydrology, more specifically — and everything that came with it.
Some three years later he is lining up to become a permanent staff member with the hydrology/surface water team in Timaru.
He joined late last year as a science technician.
He loved the variety of work the role offered — mixing his time between the field and paperwork in the office.
"It’s been such a great move for me — especially coming back to Timaru.
"I’m enjoying what the role throws up daily.
"There’s a whole different side to the job than what we get told theory-wise.
"It’s about gaining an understanding of the programmes, objectives and why things are being done.
"Looking at the bigger picture, it’s important to know where things fit in.
"It’s also been nice to come into the job already having some important skills, knowing people’s names and faces and having a familiarity with the region, too — that helped me settle in and hit the ground running."
Mr Heenan encouraged any school leavers or university students studying science-related fields to get involved with the right organisations early.
"If anyone is genuinely interested in pushing themselves forward, my advice is to try and get involved in the summer programmes at the earliest opportunity.
"This helps get a foot in the door early on and it helps with your studies, too.
"On top of that, you get to go out and do some cool work with a purpose — knowing that one day, that work experience is going to help shape your career foundations.
"It’s all good experience and who knows, it may give you that insight you’ve been looking for."
