My name is Kelsey Burns and I am a proud member of the ArtSci Alumni. I graduated from the Interdisciplinary Arts and Science program in 2020 with a concentration in Biology (major) and Psychology (minor). One of the greatest strengths of the program is the flexibility it provides to its students; think of it as a "Choose Your Own Adventure" for post-secondary education. When I began my ArtSci journey, I had every intention of pursuing a career in medicine. However, with the ability to choose from a wide variety of courses across many disciplines, I quickly realized that my true passion was for statistics and process improvement. Had I not chosen the Arts and Science program, I would not have been exposed to such diverse topics and wouldn't have had the opportunity to tailor my degree to my interests.
During my time in the program, I had the privilege of being heavily involved in the Bachelor of Arts and Science Association (BASA), the program’s student council, and Combining 2 Cultures (C2C), an international interdisciplinary conference. From being a First Year Representative and VP of External Affairs in my first two years, to President of BASA and C2C in my third and fourth year, respectively, my time involved in extracurriculars allowed me to truly connect with my peers and build amazing friendships.
Following graduation, I was accepted into, and have since completed, the Master's of Business Administration program at McMaster University where I specialized in Business Analytics. Despite not having pursued an undergraduate degree in Commerce, I was very well prepared for my graduate studies due to the transferable skills gained in the Arts and Science program. From problem solving, to presentation and communication skills, the Arts and Science program gave me every tool necessary to excel in business and complete my MBA with honours. I am happy to share that I did find a rewarding career in healthcare! I am now working as a Management Engineer for the Revenue Cycle department at Henry Ford Health in Michigan.
Whether you know where you are headed after graduation or do not have a clue, the IAS program at the University of Windsor will help guide you and prepare you for wherever you end up. And if you are lucky like me, you will meet some amazing people along the way. Although your ArtSci adventure will be different from mine, it will be nothing short of amazing.