by Samantha Van Norden, English Department Media Assistant,
in conversation with Dr. Reina Green, English Department Chair
Some of you may have heard about the English Professionalization Co-Curricular Record, part of the Mount’s Co-Curricular Record Program (or the CCRP), and wondered what it is and how it would benefit you as an English student. The “English Pro-Co” (for short) is a relatively new feature that English students can take advantage of to prepare for future careers. I sat down with English Department Chair, Dr. Reina Green, to ask her some questions that I thought might be useful in helping to explain the English Pro-Co.
In what way will the CCR shape a student’s preparation for their futures?
The CCRP recognizes students’ extracurricular activities and gives future employers knowledge of students’ involvement in events that may provide experiential learning and prepare them for future studies or a future career. Upon graduation, students can request their CCRP to show employers and others that they were involved in these extracurricular activities. The English Pro-Co recognizes the participation of students in our programs in designated activities in which they have engaged with the arts or scholarly community beyond the classroom.
How does the English Department decide what events count toward the English Pro-Co?
Each year faculty meet to identify and organize departmental and English Society events that can go toward the English Pro-Co. We include events that focus on scholarship and further learning such as attending the Honours Colloquium, or a presentation by a faculty member or guest speaker, as well as information sessions on our Honours program, graduate school, or possible careers. In addition, we include some English Society events and trips—attending a theatre production, for example.
Does a student need to be part of the English Society–to have a “role” within the group–in order to receive a credit on the English Pro-Co Record?
Students receive recognition through the CCRP for any executive position they hold within the English Society, but that is separate to the English Pro-Co. The only requirement to begin an English Pro-Co record is that students have declared an English Major.
How does the CCR show on a transcript?
Students can access their Co-Curricular Record via MyMount.
Who is going to look for the English Pro-Co: future employers, graduate school programs, or both?
Both future employers and graduate school programs are interested in what students do beyond the classroom to prepare for their future. The English Pro-Co documents that aspect of student experience.
What sort of “edge” will a completed English Pro-Co record give a student applying for grad school?
The English Pro-Co gives students an advantage as it shows how they have engaged in the arts and academic life beyond the classroom. Attending these events is purely voluntary and the English Pro-Co demonstrates that students who have participated are willing to do more—on their own time—to further their learning.
How do students sign up for the English Pro-Co and how can they make sure that events they attend will count?
The Chair keeps a record of the students who have participated in each event and at a student’s request, can check on whether that student has qualified for the English Pro-Co which requires students to participate in at least six different kinds of activities with attendance at a minimum of one every year they are in the program. There are also checklists available so students can keep track of their own activities. You can download the checklist here.
What do you want students to know about the English Pro-Co?
We want students to know that the English Pro-Co exists and that participating in activities organized by the department and English Society can make a difference. Students who do attend these events should also make sure that they sign in at each event so that their participation can be recognized.
We look forward to giving future graduates their English Professionalization Co-Curricular records. This May, we expect some students to be the first to receive it.
English Pro-Co checklist [pdf]
Image from CBC.ca. Peter Mansbridge with the 10 Canadians selected to interview the PM face-to-face.
MSVU English Department Blog 