I found the passion amongst individual professors for their discipline and area of study the most beneficial to me.

What did you find beneficial about your program at McMaster?

I found the passion amongst individual professors for their discipline/area of study the most beneficial to me. Professors like Dr. Sheng, who took an interest in my personal academic interests, helped me hone my skills and become more comfortable expressing myself in written work.

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

When it comes to choosing a career after university, I would suggest pursuing more advanced degrees after your initial bachelor’s degree. I supplemented my combined BA with a specialized degree from George Brown College in Advanced Gemology; afterwards, I ventured to the University of Milan to complete a Masters in Museology. These advanced degrees enabled me to work in varying fields and diversified my resume for prospective employers.

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

It is a pervasive idea that studying the Humanities is a waste of time, yet you should distrust the philistine in yourself who thinks this way!

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.

My Humanities degree allowed me to broaden my scope and delve into courses I never thought I'd have any interest in.

What inspired you to select your program or area of study in Humanities at McMaster?

After taking a linguistics course as one of my electives, I realized that Humanities was the right fit for me and I switched over. I’m so glad I did!

How do you feel that your program shaped your personal and professional development?

My program has taught me to not look at the world with such a narrow lens, and how to build valuable connections.

What experience(s) were most impactful during your time at McMaster?

My time as a research assistant is a profound memory from my time at McMaster. I worked with an excellent team, with members who always had each others backs. My professor guided me through the entire research process, and I am forever grateful for everything she taught me.

How has the versatility of a Humanities degree enabled you to succeed?

My Humanities degree allowed me to broaden my scope and delve into courses I never thought I’d have any interest in. I like to think I am very well-rounded!