I took the long way - the scenic route, if you will - to get to public relations at Grant MacEwan. Let me take you back through the ages to when brontosauri still roamed the earth and Edmonton was still near the equator.

Back when I was a young whippersnapper, I decided that writing was the thing for me! I was promptly accepted to the University of Alberta and spent four very happy years there getting my BA in English.

Shortly after I finished my degree, however, I found myself at a loss. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life, and although you aren’t supposed to have your first life crisis until 25, I am pretty sure I managed to have my first one at age 21.

I did some halfhearted job searching, but I didn’t feel prepared to enter the work world at that point. Graduate school seemed like the logical place to go, since as much as I complain sometimes, I really do like learning. :p

I considered my options and decided to pursue an MA in Cultural Studies from Athabasca University. The entire degree was distance learning, which was very challenging at times. I spent a lot of time haunting a particular carrel on the fifth floor of Rutherford North at the U of A, frantically writing my final graduate project.

(Parenthetically, if you want a surefire way to develop a four-Red-Bull-a-day caffeine habit, I highly recommend grad school.)

I was so happy when I finished my MA. I had visions of getting a relevant, enjoyable job. I had nebulous ideas about doing something with communications or media, perhaps. Whatever it was, I wanted to work with people (very important after spending the majority of two years in distance learning, working with classmates in Eritrea!).

I proceeded to spend the next 11 months applying for communications jobs, but while I was fortunate enough to have great enthusiasm, I was a little lacking in the experience department.

How did I come to Grant MacEwan, then? Well, it actually started with my mother.

Now, in the tradition of truly effective parents, my mom is both my biggest fan and - even if I don’t like to admit this sometimes - always gives me great advice. Even if I don’t always take it. (Hi, Mom. I love you. Ahem.)

My mom suggested I take a look at Grant MacEwan. My initial reaction was what one would probably expect from someone who had spent six years straight in post-secondary education.

However, a couple days later, despite my protestations, I found myself on www.macewan.ca browsing the diploma programs. I knew I didn’t want to commit to another degree, but I was interested in finding something with practical skills for the workplace.

I was browsing through the listings of diploma programs and came across public relations. And once I looked at the course listings, I realized that what I had been doing for the last year, ever since getting my MA, was actually applying for public relations jobs.

I think I knew from that point on that public relations was for me. I’m in my last month of the program now, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. My classmates are amazing, my instructors are great, and when I’m finished, I’m going to have a well-respected diploma, practicum experience, and have a chance to have a career I love.

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