Yes, you can study agriculture, animals and forestry in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, but we also have programs focused on the environment, plus family and community life.
Of the 18 faculties on display at the University of Alberta's Open House, we guarantee there's one that will make you say, "Wait … what?"
It might happen as you view its exhibits on historical clothing or textile safety. Or as you walk through a pop-up forest of trees. Or when you meet the on-site animal-assisted-therapy dog. Each of those unexpected sights help explain the diverse areas of study within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences.
"Quite often, people will stop when they see 'Agriculture,' " says Jillian Pratt, recruiting specialist for the faculty that's also known by the acronym ALES. "They don't necessarily know what's in the life and environmental science programs we offer."
Below, Jillian Pratt answers common questions about Open House and the Faculty of ALES.
For the full story, attend Open House day on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The main event is inside the Butterdome (87th Avenue between 114th and 116th Streets). Two ALES-specific sessions occur across the street, in the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy Building (ECHA) at 11 a.m. and noon.
WHAT IS OPEN HOUSE?
Open house is a giant information session about all the faculties at the University of Alberta. In addition to the displays in the Butterdome, different faculties put on their own presentations. ALES has two:
- Pathway to Dietetics: diet, nutrition, and health (11 a.m. in ECHA 1-182). About a third of our students are in nutrition and food studies. We are the largest dietetic program in the country and the only one in Alberta. We'll explain our admission requirements and our new specialized and honours programs.
- Dreaming of a Green Career (12 p.m. in ECHA 1-182). A panel discussion for those interested in an environmentally motivated career path. We'll explain the job opportunities for ALES grads and how our students are well-suited to meeting challenges of the changing economy.
WHY IS OPEN HOUSE BETTER THAN JUST RESEARCHING PROGRAMS ONLINE?
The advantage is that you'll have the expertise of the many students and academics available that day (50 from ALES, alone). When looking online, it's easy to skim over information or be bombarded with too much. When you talk to someone, you tend to find out details you might not find on online: for example, a student might tell you about their study abroad experience, with a cool explanation of their trip to India to study food security.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Come whether you are a high school student, someone already in a university program but not finding what really interests you, or someone who wants to go back to school. Parents are welcome, too!
WHAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU ABOUT THE FACULTY OF ALES?
A lot of our program tend to be things you might not have heard of, like Human Ecology, or Food Science and Technology. As part of our display, we're putting some of those "hidden" programs front and centre.
WHY ELSE SHOULD YOU CHECK OUT ALES?
The majority of our students didn't start in our faculty. Sixty per cent come from other programs at the U of A, or from other institutions. Students often think only of careers like teacher, doctor, lawyer, nurse, whereas our graduates are just as qualified for jobs that are in high demand, but which you don't necessarily think of off the top of your head.
THE BUTTERDOME LOOKS HUGE. ANY TIPS FOR DOING THIS RIGHT?
Start by taking the quiz on our undergrad admissions page. It will ask a couple of broad questions that narrows 200 programs down to about 30. Then pick which programs interest you and come look around.