Alicia Haniford

I chose Carleton University’s English program hoping to strengthen my creative writing and gain access to the professional world through the Co-Op Program—two goals I accomplished with far more success than I had imagined. Most important, however, my program connected me with students and professors who have helped me to develop a deeper passion for literature: for stories I already loved, for stories I learned to love, and for stories that have changed the way I see the world.

During my undergraduate degree I completed two co-op work terms with QC Career School, a company offering online education in fields such as makeup artistry, interior design and event planning. I started out drafting and editing blog posts as a content editor and soon took over running the editorial calendars for all three of QC’s major blogs. From there, I moved on to researching and writing course texts, and then to developing entire courses. By the time I was done my first work term, the company had offered me part-time work when I returned to school and a full-time job as the school’s course development manager upon graduation.

In addition to researching, writing, and editing course texts, my work today involves creating course curricula, planning film shoots, drafting assignments, and working with course tutors and industry experts. The research and analytical skills I developed during my coursework at Carleton University have been invaluable in the management aspects of my role. And, of course, as a writer and editor, the appreciation for beautiful prose and clear communication that led me to English in the first place is something I get to practice every day.