When choosing an academic program, some of us are more certain about the disciplines we can’t do than the ones we can.
For example, I realized that not being proficient in math would prohibit me from the sciences, specifically zoology, so I had to consider other choices when I first went to university.
For others, it is not until first or second year that they recognize they aren’t able to handle the demands their program. They might realize that although they enjoy their degree program, after being exposed to different kinds of work through extra-curricular activities, there are other possible careers they would like to pursue.
I recently spoke with Alana Clarke – an alumnus of the University of Toronto’s political science andcriminology programs who is currently enrolled in Humber College’s post-graduate certificate in fundraising and volunteer management – to get her perspectives on how her extra-curricular activities influenced her career goals.
Q. Why did you want a degree in criminology and political science?
A. Since I was very young, I loved watching crime shows and I have always had an interest in the concept of crime. I wondered how people could do things like home invasions, murders or rapes. I wanted to be a criminal lawyer at one point. I picked my degree concentrations based on my interests.
Q. Tell me how you started getting involved in extra-curricular activities.
A. When I was in high school, I was part of the formal committee and did a lot of theatre. I was in the regional arts program at Mayfield Secondary School. Once I went to university, I discovered my college at U of T had a year formal and I volunteered to head the decorating of one room. From there, I met other people interested in student government and the rest is history. I think I spent more time doing extra-curricular activities than doing my school work.
Q. What did you learn from these activities?
A. Since I was balancing the workload of a double major and extra-curricular activities, all I have to say is TIME MANAGEMENT. Also, I learned how to work with people and in groups.
Q. Did your extra-curricular experiences lead you to doing a post-graduate diploma in fundraising and volunteer management?
A. Yes, they did. I did fundraising for Shinerama and also did not-for-profit work when I helped run UC Orientation, and was a member of the University College Literary and Athletic Society (student council) – a not-for-profit corporation.
It seemed like a natural progression and, at the risk of sounding cheesy, I wanted a career that would help me make a difference in the world. I wanted to be a lawyer for a long time but realized it was not what I was meant to be.
Not many people who have a criminology degree go into fundraising so a lot of people are surprised when they hear my majors.
Q. How do you think your degrees in addition to your extra-curricular activities will help you find an interesting career?
A. My U of T degree taught me how to do a lot of work in a small amount of time. My extra-curricular activities gave me the opportunity to work with others in a team work style setting, which you do not tend to get at a large university like U of T.
The program I am in now has taught me the tools of the trade when it comes to fundraising. There is a lot of work, but we are learning basically everything you need to know from how to do a capital campaign to marketing our future organizations.
I also have a background in criminology and political science, so if fundraising does not seem to work for me I’ll have other options. I feel my education and experiences outside of the classroom have prepared me for a variety of career paths.
Q. What do you hope to do after you finish your diploma?
A. I would like to work for the University of Toronto or for a theatre like the Stratford Festival. I’d like to work in the development offices of either organization. I love U of T and have always desired to stay on campus…forever. I have been attending the performances at Stratford Festival since I was a child. I love drama and theatre and miss being directly involved in it.
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