2006-2007

News Release

REF NO.: 77

SUBJECT: Contest offers tuition vouchers for imagining the possibilities

DATE: November 29, 2006

A few hours of daydreaming could win a Grade 12 student a tuition voucher to study in the Faculty of Arts at Memorial University.
            Through its Become Your Future ... In 400 Words or Less competition, the Faculty of Arts is inviting students to imagine where an education in the social sciences or humanities could take them in 10 years. Students can then share that vision through a written or audio piece in any form – for example, it could be an essay or a poem, a newscast about an accomplishment or a mock-up of a company website – as long as the work is original and concise.
            “Daydreaming some possibilities is actually a great way to start planning for a future,” says Denise Hooper, senior career development co-ordinator for the Faculty of Arts and herself a graduate of Memorial.
            “It’s important for students to figure out what they love and what they’re willing to work hard to achieve, because that will almost always point them toward success,” she says, adding, “A liberal arts education is terrific preparation for all kinds of careers.”
            Ms. Hooper’s job involves working with students to help them translate their education into a career path, as well as to secure employment during their studies. “Arts students, no matter what discipline or program they study, learn to write, to analyze and synthesize information, to find resources and evaluate the validity of information, to approach problems and consider many solutions, and to multitask – these skills are very valued in the workforce.”
            The Faculty of Arts is home to 14 departments, as well as many interdisciplinary and diploma programs that cover a broad range of fields. A wealth of information on these programs and where they can lead can be found on the faculty’s website www.arts.mun.ca/arts.
            Become Your Future... is open to all students who are currently enrolled in a high school program, and who will have graduated and be eligible to attend Memorial University in September 2007. Two vouchers to cover a full year of tuition (five courses in each of two semesters) will be awarded to winning contestants for 2007-08.
            Ms. Hooper notes that the two winners won’t be locked into pursuing their daydream. “They can imagine becoming an acclaimed archaeologist, and then come here to study languages or politics, history or sociology, or whatever they choose in Arts. There are so many possibilities!”
            The Become Your Future... contest deadline is Jan. 31, 2007. Details and rules, along with inspiring possibilities, are available at www.arts.mun.ca/future,  or call 709-737-8292.

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