Julie Smith-Allen
Creative Writing Certificate
Julie Smith-Allen always had a love for writing, so when she spotted an advertisement on Facebook a few years ago promoting a University of Calgary Continuing Education Creative Writing Certificate, she was intrigued.
She liked that the program was online and that she could pursue it from her home in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. Having never taken university courses before, she was eager to give it a try.
"I started taking courses and absolutely loved it," she says. "I was getting in-depth instruction from fantastic instructors."
When she was enrolled in courses, Julie, who works in an administrative role during the day, devoted time to her studies in the evenings and on weekends. Her husband and two adult daughters supported and encouraged her, often providing excellent feedback on her assignments. Julie was able to complete the program in three years, usually taking one class a session, except for summers.
"It was my first online learning experience, but I didn't have any problem adapting. I appreciated being able to do things at times that worked well for me. And I found the discussion boards warm and welcoming. I liked that the students could offer feedback that way.
"Technically, going online was easy for me, and when I did have a problem, help was there right away to solve my problem."
The Creative Writing Certificate program helped Julie find her niche in creative non-fiction and poetry. "I was able to learn about different genres, so I could discover what I liked to write most and what I'm good at.
"The program has definitely given me more confidence as a writer," she says. "I know that because of it, I have a greater understanding of what polished work is, and I feel I can call myself a writer now with more authority than before.
"The Creative Writing Certificate has added another layer to my life and has given me a whole other world to explore from the comfort of my living room."