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Ms. Maureen Ashworth (BA 1986)

     Ms. Maureen Ashworth (née Burton) (BA 1986) chose UW because of the co-op option it gave English students. She says, “I could not have applied fast enough – a university degree with work experience for reading books was paradise.” Choosing a BA in English Literature gave her the chance to develop the analytical skills that helped her secure her current role as a Consultant at Foresters in Toronto.

     Although Maureen was not involved in extracurricular activities, she found that being a co-op student was a memorable experience in itself. She remembers working at a pork packaging plant, writing safety guidelines for people working on the operation line. She spent a lot of time “looking at pig parts,” she recalls, “and strangely, I still like pork!” She also enjoyed many English classes at UW. Some notable favourites include English 101 with Dr. Neil Hultin and a class on Arthurian legends with Dr. Warren Ober: “Anything Dr. Ober taught was my favourite.” Her favourite memories from her time as a UW student involve spending time with friends. She remembers that “a friend and I had a little too much time before our final class of the day, so we’d often grab drinks beforehand. Modern American Literature can be pretty funny after a rye and ginger or two!”

     After graduation, Maureen married and began her current job. Today, she has three children and lives in Toronto. She believes that “an English Literature degree is as valuable as a degree in Engineering, if you apply it to the right job.”