Students’ options shouldn’t be limited by misconceptions
Dear Editors,
Re: “Fairing well in the workplace”, (Journal, Oct. 2, 2007)
I would like to congratulate the Journal for the article “Fairing well in the workplace” from the Oct. 2 issue. Your discussion of the Career Fair recently hosted by Career Services was informative and interesting. The article contained several reflections on the event provided by students. I value those reflections and they have been included in our post-event discussions. In particular, I would like to address those made by an ArtSci student.
This student, an English major, communicated her feelings that the event was intended for commerce and engineering students. She expressed disappointment that there were no employers at the fair representing teaching or publishing opportunities, for example—things described by her as more relevant to an Arts degree. I would encourage her to take a broader perspective on the opportunities provided by an English degree, as I would encourage all students to broaden their notions of how they will apply their university education in life.
In Career Services we like to say your degree alone will not define you. In a narrow, literal and linear approach to career management, English graduates must build careers as writers and Applied Science graduates must become working professional engineers. Yet we frequently meet people whose careers challenge those assumptions, and we have learned a narrow application of university learning leads to missed opportunities. As a potential recruit, you have life, employment and volunteer experiences that inform who you are.
At Career Services we are committed to helping all students to find their way, be it along a tried and true path, or along one that is less travelled. As evidence of that commitment, I would like to announce that we will hold a Career Event in winter semester that will be dedicated to bringing together students and employers to discuss the full range of opportunities available to Queen’s graduates, regardless of their area of study. We will pay particular attention to inviting employers who wish to hire from a broad range of academic backgrounds. As details emerge, they will be posted. When the time comes, I urge all students to participate in the event.
Paul D. Smith
Director of Career Services
Owning a dog a big commitment; ‘Journal questionnaire useful’
Dear Editors,
Re: “Canines on campus”, (Journal, Sept. 28, 2007)
My compliments to the Journal for this article. I myself have a dog and usually discourage people from getting pets because I have witnessed so many occasions of irresponsible and highly abusive manners of owning pets. I think dogs usually suffer the worst cases because they are easily the most emotionally dependent and physically and financially demanding of their owners.
More than half of the people I’ve met here do not keep their now-not-a-puppy anymore for varied reasons: too expensive, impossible to train, don’t like it anymore (like, ouch!), have to move to a house that forbids pets—you name it. Equally common are the people that want to get rid of them but can’t and who abuse them by means of negligence.
Sometimes life does take an unexpected turn and you can’t help but send your dog away, but it is nevertheless a disheartening event for the dog. I think the Journal has given the right information on the commitment and financial issues that come with owning a dog. I found the questionnaire especially useful. I certainly hope those planning to get a dog without much consideration, or some who may already own a dog, will reconsider their commitment after reading this article.
A hard and fast way to figure out if you should get a dog: think ahead for the next 10 years of your life and see if you can give a generous slice of that to the little fur ball you are about to adopt.
Vicky Bae
MSc. ’09
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