Amber Rawson

Amber Rawson currently works as a writer at the Department of Justice Canada, where she began as an FSWEP student two years ago and was successfully bridged after the completion of her degree. In addition to working at the Department of Justice, Amber continues to explore her passion for learning through co-authoring of a paper on experiential learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. While writing this paper, Amber has reconnected with classmates and professors from her undergraduate degree, which has allowed her to form more meaningful connections within the academic sphere. This has also allowed Amber the opportunity to speak at conferences and connect with other people from other schools.

Amber intends to pursue her doctorate in English, which she will start in the fall of 2024. The impact that Carleton had on her career goals was astronomical. It gave her the opportunity to develop the communication skills to flourish in her career. The encouraging environment of the English department was something that pushed Amber toward pursuing a Ph.D. and empowered her to work hard for what she wanted. It is something that she truly cherishes about Carleton.

Why Carleton? What specific experiences or opportunities did you benefit from while studying English at Carleton?

I initially chose Carleton for reasons unrelated to the school itself. Out of all my choices, Carleton offered the best scholarship packages. Additionally, during my undergraduate degree, I formed so many connections, not only with friends but with members of the department, that I just couldn’t leave it. As a result, I ended up applying for my Master’s here, too. These connections only continued to grow through my Master’s degree. The English department welcomed me and encouraged my success. Eventually, my connections were so deeply rooted in the department that I decided to do my Ph.D. here as well. The people in the department were truly what made the experience for me and informed my professional path. During several meetings with professors who encouraged me, I was able to decide that I wanted to pursue a Ph.D. above all else. They highlighted my strengths (and my weaknesses), which kept me grounded and helped me decide where I wanted to go.