Alumni Profiles — Arts
Brooke Yeates, BA 1995
When I was in university, people would often ask: Why take an Arts
degree? For me, it was the perfect fit – it matched my st
rengths and my
interests. You can change course along the way but there are certain
things people are meant to do. I didn’t know exactly what that was when I
entered the Arts program. I knew I was a strong writer and I was
interested in why people behave the way they do. English gave me a
strong foundation in writing. History taught me research skills and
analytical thinking. Sociology fueled my passion for understanding human
behaviour. My interests and education came together in a career that is
a really good fit. My skills are being used, and they’re valued. Above
all, I’m passionate about my work and it’s great to use my skills in a
way that has a positive impact on people’s experiences in the workplace.
I have a strong sense that I’m where I should be, doing what I’m
supposed to be doing.
It wasn’t a straight path. I didn’t have a five-year plan. I was open to things. I took risks and some scary steps. I made mistakes. But making mistakes is part of the learning and the way you deal with those mistakes is part of who you are. Trust your instincts, pursue your passion and it will all come together. Finish your degree. It’s yours; no one can take it away from you. It goes well beyond the piece of paper.
Matthew Anderson, BA 1992
CIO of the Year, 2005
Canada’s Top 40 under 40, 2004
English major to Chief Information Officer of the Year–seems
unlikely, but when I think about the nature of the business decisions
I’ve had to make, it’s really not surprising. Poets are interested in
patterns. The business I’m in is about finding a pattern in trends and
ideas and setting a business strategy against that pattern. I put the
technology into business terms: What are the choices? What are the
risks? Putting abstract concepts into concrete statements is precisely
what I learned studying poetry.
My English professor, Diana Austin, was hugely instrumental in helping me think creatively. She said, “Intelligence sees differences, genius sees similarities.” Looking for similarities has allowed me to see an alignment of ideas that other people have not seen: What do these seemingly unrelated issues have in common? What process will work for all parties? The technological component deals with automating that process; it’s not the focus.
My training in English and the great support from my professors have been key to my success. Recruiting and fundraising are core components of my job. The skills I learned through studying English at UNB have helped me create compelling presentations to attract the people I want and to find the funding I need.
Jennifer McCormack, BA 1999
I always loved writing and the social sciences; that's why I went
into Arts. I knew I would need that strong foundation in whatever career
I chose. I didn't know that my career would be in public relations. It
was only through summer jobs that I realized how much I liked
communications.
In high school, I thought I wanted to be a politician. I was advised to go into Arts, then study Law. While I was going to school, I worked in the Government Members' Office in Fredericton. It was a great way to get experience and insight into what a career as a politician might be like.
I think that getting into the workplace early on in one's education is key. I entered a co-op program in high school; that's how I found my summer jobs and learned job search skills. I was also fortunate to have mentors–professors and employers–who helped me identify my strengths and encouraged me to take risks. If someone told me I would be working in the healthcare industry I wouldn't have believed it. I am really fortunate to have a challenging career that I love and that is so diverse.
Bethany Vail, BBA 2010
I’ve taken several Career Counselling workshops–one about values in
the workplace and one about my interests. The workshops were with a
career counselor and a group of students, which was a lot of fun. I
learned that honesty and integrity are high on my list of workplace
values. Now I have a good idea of how I’m going to perform in certain
work environments.
The most important thing I learned is that it’s not about making one big decision for the rest of my life. It’s about learning who you are and making a series of small decisions about where you want to go with your career and your life.
Knowing your values is an important factor in career satisfaction. UNB Counselling Services offers a small group workshop: "Developing Self-Awareness: What Can I Do and What will Make me Happy?" The workshop is one and a half hours long and will help you identify the things that are important to you in a job. Call 453-4820 or drop by the Alumni Memorial Building to register. –Editor
Scott Walters, BA 2007
I found that working part time while I was going to university was a
great way to earn money, but more than that, it was a great way to
explore jobs. I tried jobs that I wouldn’t normally have considered as a
full-time commitment. That helped me explore my options and to see what
I would enjoy doing as a career. After several years working as a
volunteer, I took event planning on as a part-time job. I now know that
this is what I want to do–event planning and project management.
I’m glad UNB has created this web site to help students learn about themselves and about career planning. As Arts students, my friends and I felt there was no connection between what we were learning and what were going to do as a career. Now we know that if we look hard enough and use the proper resources, we can find that ideal job.
Working or volunteering in your area of interest increases your chances of finding work you love. Visit the Student Employment Centre and talk to an employment counsellor about part-time and summer jobs, work-study programs (on-campus), internships, and volunteer opportunities. The Centre, located in Neville Homestead, is open year-round, Monday to Friday, 8:30 - 4:30. –Editor
Daniel Hambrook, BA 2009
I took the Strong Interest Inventory Workshop. It basically
confirmed my interest in and aptitude for Psychology. The workshop
pointed me in the right direction; I was actually in Science but
switched to Arts based on that. I plan to pursue a career in Psychology,
counselling, or teaching.
I also took the workshop, “Taking the Fear Out of Making a Career Decision”. I had some anxiety about setting on a career path because, like many people, I thought that once you decide on a career, that’s it for life! I learned that it’s okay to switch.
Knowing your interests is an essential part of identifying a career you will love. UNB Career Counselling Services offers a small group workshop: "Developing Self-Awareness: Let's Talk About Interests". The workshop is one and a half hours long. Before you attend the workshop, you'll need to complete the "Strong Interest Inventory (SII)" computer assessment, which takes about 30 minutes. The workshop will give you feedback on your assessment results and a summary of career options. Call 453-4820 or drop in to the Alumni Memorial Building to register. –Editor
