The programs I chose and the opportunities that came with them fuelled my curiosity, sharpened my critical thinking skills, and broadened my worldview.

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

The flexibility of both the Communication Studies and Theatre and Film Studies programs allowed me to combine hands-on learning with lectures and tutorials. I had the opportunity to practice and apply communication theories and principles in internships, research projects, and teaching positions. It’s also wonderful to be able to marry what I learned in Communications Studies with theatre and stage management; I loved seeing the work behind the scenes come to life on stage. The programs I chose and the opportunities that came with them fuelled my curiosity, sharpened my critical thinking skills, and broadened my worldview.

What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?

Forget “finding your passion.” Instead, be curious and have a fearless desire to learn. In the beginning of your career post graduation, you will likely find yourself competing hard for job opportunities. This feeling of “starting from scratch” is stressful. Acknowledge your uncertainties and focus your attention to what you can do to accelerate your learning as an early-career professional. This may mean doing freelance work, seeking out volunteer opportunities, or taking on select internships to hone a specific skill in your industry. Though you are starting at square one fresh out of university, there is really nowhere to go but up. With perseverance and focused learning, you will get through this initial hump and be considered for opportunities.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?

Graduating with a Humanities degree means that you’re equipped with the essential skills needed to thrive in any workplace or new environment: critical thinking, listening, good communication, negotiation, empathy, analysis, and strategic thinking. There is nothing “soft” about these skills. The long-form essays you wrote, literature you read, and debates you engaged in are all necessary means to sharpen those essential skills; they are needed in a world of increased complexity with interwoven issues and impacts. Humanities grads, take pride in knowing that you’re armed with these important skills as soon as you step foot outside of the university.

My program at McMaster provided me with the opportunity to commune with students and professors who encouraged interdisciplinary approaches to creating knowledge.

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

My program at McMaster provided me with the opportunity to commune with students and professors who encouraged interdisciplinary approaches to creating knowledge. I was exposed to a blend of both kinesthetic and text based learning, which helped me to grow a deeper intimacy with course material.

What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?

My advice to a current student would be to focus on getting the most out of each class you’re enrolled in. Having an idea of what career you’d like to pursue is important, but this should not be at the expense of developing a broad range of knowledge that will help expand the skills you bring to whatever career you end up in.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?

A Humanities degree promotes creativity and critical thinking. Right now, the pursuit of social justice in our contemporary moment demands an examination of the historical and geo-political conditions that undergird our social relations. The Humanities provides students with an opportunity to interrogate privilege and structural inequality. By doing so, imagining and creating a more just world becomes possible.

The benefit of a Humanities degree is that it truly prepares you for the working world

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

I really enjoyed how complementary my double major was, it almost felt like I graduated with both a Degree and a Diploma. The Communications program was research based, required critical thinking and analysis, and taught us to dive deep into current affairs – all paired with the Multimedia program that was application based, involving hands-on media production and experimenting with creative programs.

What advice would you give to a current student who is thinking about career options?

Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to find the perfect job right out of university – it is very likely that it won’t be your last one! Every job provides you with experience, and it is experience that lands you the next job. It’s important to just get started in the working world, see what you like and don’t like, and then adjust your career path accordingly.

In your opinion, what is the value of a Humanities degree?

The benefit of a Humanities degree is that it truly prepares you for the working world. Regardless of your department of study, Humanities graduates learn and develop the fundamental skills employers require for nearly every job – critical thinking, communications, working independently, and time management. It might sound overly simple, but these skills are invaluable and they truly go a long way.