By Elysia Geen
The General Arts and Science program at Loyalist College allows students to earn a broad education while discovering their career passion. Whether selecting a one-year Ontario College Certificate, two-year Ontario College Diploma or three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma, students are exposed to a variety of academic disciplines to assist them in planning their vocational future.
“The program provides an ideal platform where students can develop individual career and academic goals,” said Professor and program Coordinator Pam Fairbank. “We deliver an invaluable mix of content, through a variety of delivery methods such as group assignments, community projects, science labs and on-line class activities.”
One of the benefits of the program is that each semester students create a timetable with faculty guidance, ensuring that all alternatives are considered when selecting elective course options. Having so much choice can become challenging for students trying to decide on a career specialization.
“We’re also one of the few General Arts and Science programs that offer community-based field placements,” she explained. “Our concurrent placement enables students to go into the workforce one day per week for an entire semester in their first year. In the second year, students participate in placement two days per week.”
Placement opportunities are tailored to individuals to ensure they gain practical work experience in a field of interest. In the past, students have worked in museums, art galleries, funeral homes, veterinary offices, long-term care facilities, social service agencies, schools and more. The experience opens doors and provides a glimpse of the career choices available.
“By starting with a two-year General Arts and Science diploma, I was able to explore my interests and ultimately figure out what I wanted to do,” said Professor Lee McMurray, who now teaches in the program he graduated from in 2004. “I could have gone straight to university after graduating from Quinte Secondary School in Belleville, but I wanted more time to weigh my options and gain experience.”
Like Lee, many students struggle to decide what to do after high school. Today, with only four years of high school, students are under pressure to make difficult life choices at a younger age. The decisions can be overwhelming and many are not ready to move away from home. For high school graduates who are uncertain about what to do next, the General Arts and Science program provides clarity through well-rounded academic and practical education.
“In taking this program, I realized that I wanted to pursue a Commerce degree at Trent University,” said Lee. “I was able to transfer some of the credits from my General Arts and Science diploma and apply them toward my university program. I then went on to complete a Master of Science in Teaching. Now, as a Professor, I try to give back the same level of support and care that I received from General Arts and Science faculty when I was a student.”
General Arts and Science students work one-on-one with a faculty advisor to develop an individualized program of study that supports their personal interests and career goals. Some students want to continue their education, while others want to move directly into an entry-level and managerial job in criminal justice, human services, education, business, manufacturing, media, technology, or communications, among others.
For more information about the General Arts and Science program or to experience it as part of the Student for a Day program, please contact Pam Fairbank at pfairbank@loyalistc.on.ca. The program starts in January and September 2013.