RedBlacks Partnership-A Great Example of Co-Curricular Opportunities for Students

Posted on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

When the new Ottawa RedBlacks take the field this summer, Algonquin College’s Loggersports student athletes will be front and centre every time the football team scores a touchdown! Through a partnership recently announced by the two organizations, the Loggersports team will perform at every RedBlacks home game, a marketing effort by the football club to enhance the fan experience.

This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity for the Loggersports athletes to be recognized on a national stage as all CFL games are broadcast across the country on TSN, but from a student learning perspective, it is a great example of how co-curricular activities can benefit them.

At Algonquin College, a concerted effort is being made to acknowledge the good work that many of our students are doing outside of the classroom. Staff and faculty have been encouraged to post co-curricular activities on a web site where students can build their own portfolio tracking the events and activities they participate in that are not directly linked to their full-time studies. Being active as a volunteer by participating in things like a College Open House for prospective students, or being part of student government or varsity sporting events, are great examples of things that can be captured on a student’s co-curricular record.

The co-curricular record supports the student’s academic performance and credentials. More employers are now looking for employees that can offer them added value through their community connections or willingness to participate in activities outside of their normal work expectations. Graduates that can present a co-curricular record that clearly articulates their experiences above and beyond their formal training have an advantage when trying to land their first job after graduation.

There is also the added benefit of building a wider network of influencers. Leaving a strong impression through co-curricular work with others can go a long way in landing references from people that can make the difference in persuading an employer to give a graduate that important first job. In a competitive and challenging labour market, participating in co-curricular opportunities can be the edge a student will need after they complete their studies, plus it can be a lot of fun. Just ask the Loggersports team!

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger

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