Christiane McInnes
BA 2008: Art History & Nineteenth Century Studies
Where did Christiane work?
Work term 1 (4 months):
Promotional Actor, Storyeum
Work term 2 (8 months):
Research Assistant, Arts Academic Advising & Services
Work term 3 (4 months):
Fund Development Associate, Atira Women’s Resource Society
What did Christiane accomplish?
Storyeum
During her time as a Promotional Actor, Christiane assumed the role of a British settler and wore a 19th century costume – complete with hoop skirt and corset – in order to promote the historical re-enactment company to the general public in downtown Vancouver. She refined her public speaking skills while interacting with locals and tourists, and gave a history lesson or two as a preview for the theatrical production she was promoting.
Arts Academic Advising & Services
As a Research Assistant, Christiane worked on projects and programs to enhance students’ experiences at the University of British Columbia. She developed and facilitated programming for a peer mentorship program entitled Peer Academic Coaching that connected second year students with senior students who could provide guidance on how to succeed academically. She also organized a “Student Experience” panel discussion for the Faculty of Arts Parent Orientation that provided a forum for parents to learn more about what academic life will be like for their child.
Atira Women’s Resource Society
During her final work term, Christiane had the opportunity to work in fundraising, an area she was passionate about throughout her university career. Through this position she discovered her true career path. She utilized her research and writing skills in order to successfully research and write grants and raised over $95,000 in grant writing to three levels of government and foundations. In addition, she solicited $10,000 worth of donations for a silent auction fundraiser.
What would Christiane tell others about Co-op?
“Do it” is the advice Christiane shares with students considering Co-op. She says, “I learned how to apply the research and writing skills I honed in my studies to the tasks handed to me during my co-op terms.” In addition, she built professional relationships which benefited her as she started her career.
Where is she now?
Christiane is the Special Giving Officer at Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver. UGM is a non-profit urban relief organization that reaches out to Metro Vancouver’s hungry, hurting and homeless and provides a comprehensive range of life-changing programs and services to those in need. In her role, she is responsible for the development, management and sustainability of the monthly giving program, the mid-level donor program and gift-in-kind.
Benefits of Co-op
Christiane had the opportunity to explore a variety of areas of interest in a short-term and low-risk environment through which she discovered her career path. She says, “the co-op experience helps you mature into a young professional and employers want to invest in candidates who have an advanced learning curve.” Upon completion of her final co-op work term, Christiane worked at Atira Women’s Resource Society for a year before moving on to other professional development opportunities.
Christiane McInnes
BA 2008: Art History & Nineteenth Century Studies
Where did Christiane work?
Work term 1 (4 months):
Promotional Actor, Storyeum
Work term 2 (8 months):
Research Assistant, Arts Academic Advising & Services
Work term 3 (4 months):
Fund Development Associate, Atira Women’s Resource Society
What did Christiane accomplish?
Storyeum
During her time as a Promotional Actor, Christiane assumed the role of a British settler and wore a 19th century costume – complete with hoop skirt and corset – in order to promote the historical re-enactment company to the general public in downtown Vancouver. She refined her public speaking skills while interacting with locals and tourists, and gave a history lesson or two as a preview for the theatrical production she was promoting.
Arts Academic Advising & Services
As a Research Assistant, Christiane worked on projects and programs to enhance students’ experiences at the University of British Columbia. She developed and facilitated programming for a peer mentorship program entitled Peer Academic Coaching that connected second year students with senior students who could provide guidance on how to succeed academically. She also organized a “Student Experience” panel discussion for the Faculty of Arts Parent Orientation that provided a forum for parents to learn more about what academic life will be like for their child.
Atira Women’s Resource Society
During her final work term, Christiane had the opportunity to work in fundraising, an area she was passionate about throughout her university career. Through this position she discovered her true career path. She utilized her research and writing skills in order to successfully research and write grants and raised over $95,000 in grant writing to three levels of government and foundations. In addition, she solicited $10,000 worth of donations for a silent auction fundraiser.
What would Christiane tell others about Co-op?
“Do it” is the advice Christiane shares with students considering Co-op. She says, “I learned how to apply the research and writing skills I honed in my studies to the tasks handed to me during my co-op terms.” In addition, she built professional relationships which benefited her as she started her career.
Where is she now?
Christiane is the Special Giving Officer at Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver. UGM is a non-profit urban relief organization that reaches out to Metro Vancouver’s hungry, hurting and homeless and provides a comprehensive range of life-changing programs and services to those in need. In her role, she is responsible for the development, management and sustainability of the monthly giving program, the mid-level donor program and gift-in-kind.
Benefits of Co-op
Christiane had the opportunity to explore a variety of areas of interest in a short-term and low-risk environment through which she discovered her career path. She says, “the co-op experience helps you mature into a young professional and employers want to invest in candidates who have an advanced learning curve.” Upon completion of her final co-op work term, Christiane worked at Atira Women’s Resource Society for a year before moving on to other professional development opportunities.