A life-changing experience
MSC graduate Jemini Prystie (MSC '14, CRS 4–year) says studying conflict resolution changed her life.
Initially interested in becoming a lawyer, Prystie says she “knew instantly” she wanted to work in the field of conflict resolution when she took an introductory course.
“Conflict resolution is so applicable to everything—conflict is everywhere. People and relationships are everywhere,” she says. “It’s good to know how to deal with conflict, communicate effectively with people, and listen.”
While studying conflict resolution, Prystie says she identified her empathetic nature and her desire to help people around her.
“As I progressed throughout the program, I changed so much as a person,” she says. “I realized I like helping people and conflict resolution helps people.”
Through her practicum, Prystie had the opportunity to utilize the conflict resolution skills she learned by working at the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre. The Centre’s mission is to create opportunities for women to develop their potential and engage fully as citizens of their community.
Prystie says she spent a lot of time during her practicum listening to women who came to the Centre to talk and connect. The relational aspect of her position there connected well to the nature of conflict resolution, which she describes as being “about developing positive relationships.”
While working at the Centre, Prystie also had opportunities to mediate conflicts and drew on skills she learned through the coaching and mediation workshops offered as part of her degree. Through her hands on experience, she’s learned that speaking softly with people can help diffuse conflict situations.
One of Prystie’s memorable experiences from her introductory course is that the professor, Dr. Lois Edmund, encouraged the students to get to know each other, which Prystie says isn’t typical of first year classes. During her time at MSC, she says she felt very supported by professors and that she “loved the community feel.”
Prystie is currently working at the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre in a similar role to that of her practicum. She envisions herself continuing to work in conflict resolution because she views those concepts and theories as a useful tool for helping others, something she loves to do.
“With CRS, you can help everyone without hurting anyone else—that’s the goal,” she says. “CRS helped
me realize how much I love helping people.”
Ellen Paulley is the Writer & Social Media Coordinator at Menno Simons College
Faculty: In Their Own Words
Karen Ridd, Teaching Associate Professor, Conflict Resolution Studies
Dr. Jonathan Sears, Associate Professor of International Development Studies
Dr. Jodi Dueck-Read, Assistant Professor of Conflict Resolution Studies
Dr. Jerry Buckland, Professor of International Development Studies
