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How to Choose a College – There’s a Method

As a high school student you are more than likely experiencing a variety of emotions right now: ExcitmentStressedBewildered

  1. Excitement – you are finally getting to spread your wings and fly. You know exactly what college and which program you are applying to.
  2. Anxiety – you feel overwhelmed by the number of choices available to you. You don’t feel as though you are in a place to know “what you want to be when you grow up.”
  3. Bewildered – Grade 12 snuck up on you and you aren’t in a position to apply to the program of your choice.

If you are getting ready to apply to college and don’t know how to choose between all your different options, you may wish to read the advice below. We’ll walk you through the things you will need to consider when choosing a school to attend!

  • Consider what you want to study. This is the most difficult part. This is essentially deciding what you want to do with your life. You can always change your mind, of course, but you will want to try to choose a school which offers the program(s) you would like to study. You can choose something you’ve always wanted to do or you start in a more flexible program like our General Arts and Science, which offers flexibility and the chance to explore of a variety of areas.
  • Consider the location – book a tour! Consider where you would like to go to school. This is a place you will be living for anywhere from 1 to 4 years! It is important to choose a location which you will be happy with. This may be a big city, or a smaller more connected campus like our Waterfront Campus. Choose a campus where you will be comfortable.
  • Find out about facilities and available resources. You will want to decide what kind of facilities and resources are important to you. Some schools provide assistive services through their Centre for Students with Disabilities, different schools have different housing options, some schools will have a gym/fitness facility, some might have health services, or any number of other services.
  • Meet with instructors. With the programs you consider, talk to the coordinator of the program which you plan on studying with. Make a list of questions. This will help you get a better view of the kinds of things you will be studying.
  • Be realistic. Understand that some programs are difficult to get into and, though it may be your dream to attend, you might not be able to get in. You can have excellent grades, but perhaps you aren’t prepared for additional admissions testing. Don’t panic. Study and prepare for additional testing, but also have a Plan B in place, perhaps you should also apply to a prep course like General Arts and Science – Pre-Health Science or make sure your have a second or third choice as part of your application.

Preparation Don’t stress too much, just put yourself in the best situation to make an informed decision. Is there a piece of advice that you wish you had been given when you were choosing your college or program? Share you thoughts. Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz, Here 2 Help

Outdoor Adventure Grad Wins Amazing Race Canada

After never winning a leg on ‘The Amazing Race Canada,’ Pete Schmalz, Outdoor Adventure grad 2010 and Mickey Henry pulled off the only one that mattered, taking home the Amazing Race Canada grand prize. These two best buds from the Muskokas were the perfect pairing for this extraordinary adventure that saw them explore Canada and the world. 600x338_Mickey-and-Pete-at-final-challenge-(2)_1 Mickey and Pete took an early lead on the final leg during a rafting challenge that required them to paddle across the Ottawa River. Thanks to Pete’s expertise as a river raft guide with our outdoor training partner, Wilderness Tours, and the skills he learned during his time at Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus this challenge wasn’t an obstacle.

600x338_Pete-and-Mickey-take-an-early-lead-over-Meaghan-and-Natalie-(3)

“The entire thing feels like one crazy, big dream. I didn’t think in a million years we were going to win. The Olympians (Natalie and Meaghan) beat us on every leg. I can’t believe we won,” says Pete.

But the two friends finished the challenge first and headed to the finish line at Rideau Hall, in Ottawa, ON. After host Jon Montgomery confirmed they were the first team to arrive and had won $250,000, along with the chance to fly free for a year on Air Canada, two Chevrolet trucks and “gas for life” from Petro-Canada, Mickey and Pete were so ecstatic they took off their pants. That’s right, on national television, these champs took off their pants! This is a perfect example of the free spirited nature of students who take part in our outdoor training programs and a major reason why never finishing first didn’t phase this long-haired, carpe diem duo.

John Montgomery with Amazing Race Canada, season 2 winnners Pete and Mickey give John a hug.

“The whole way through we kept saying next time, we’re going to win the next one and we never got to take our pants off the whole time so the last one was like screw it we’re doing it,” says Pete. “We’d been wearing our good luck Speedos for like three legs,” says Mickey with a laugh.

So, what do the two plan to do with their winnings? Pay back student loans of course. After completing the two-year Outdoor Adventure program here at our Pembroke Campus, Pete took advantage of one of our articulation agreements or degree pathways with Thompson Rivers University, B.C. Not only did Pete earn 20 certification and some business fundamentals with the Outdoor Adventure program, but he leveraged his Algonquin education and enter directly into the 3rd year of the Bachelor of Tourism Management at Thompson Rivers. In a total of four years, Pete earned an absolutely unique diploma and a degree! Based on Pete and Mickey’s outstanding accomplishment, I feel there could very well be a large number of Outdoor Adventure and Outdoor Adventure Naturalist grads auditioning to be part of The Amazing Race Canada – because they have what it takes to win! Do you have what it takes to win The Amazing Race Canada? Do you have a “Pete” or “Mickey” in your life that would be the perfect partner for this race? Check out other great articles featuring our “amazing” grad, the Huffington Post and The Globe and Mail Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz, Here 2 Help Guru Photos source: The Amazing Race Canada website

A Grad’s Journey

It’s one thing to hear about a program from a recruiter, a Guidance Counsellor or your parents – it’s another thing to explore the post-grad journey of an alumnus who has actually taken the program that you are interested in!

Life's a Journey

At the Waterfront Campus, we love to keep tabs on our grads and to hear from our alumni. Matt Van Nus, Algonquin alumnus, recently shared some of his thoughts on the Outdoor Adventure and Outdoor Adventure Naturalist programs and all his accomplishments in the last ten years since he moved on from Algonquin College. Matt’s story is unique in that he graduated from the ODAN program in 2005 and immediately jumped into the ODA program – I say unique, but not totally unheard-of. Alumni Kayaking

Matt’s first stepping stone was working as a Rafting Guide for Wilderness Tours before having the opportunity to move-up to Assistant Trip Leader, working mostly on family trips cruising the Ottawa River. In August of 2007, Matt and his wife Caitlin, a graduate of the Practical Nursing program, moved to Port Sydney to work for Ontario Pioneer Camp as a lead in the Outdoor Education Centre. After four years, Matt worked his way up to Senior Instructor and built on the certifications that he earned with the ODA program, most notable Level 2 ACCT High Ropes Instructor!

Alumni, Rock climbing In 2011, Matt had the opportunity to flex his climbing skills and to put his forestry and flora knowledge to good use working for an arborist company. This position was short lived as it didn’t speak to Matt’s passion for education. In late 2011, Matt became the Assistant Outdoor Centre Director at the Mini-Yo-We Outdoor Centre and he hasn’t looked back!

“There is not a week that goes by where I do not use the skills that I learned at Algonquin. I still have opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, climbing, hiking, maple syrup, and so much more on my free time with my family and friends. I am also constantly using the business skills as well as many of the naturalist skills that I learned while at Algonquin.”

Alumnus Skiing

It is not only reassuring to hear that the skills learned at Algonquin are more than applicable, but it’s also invigorating to take this post-grad journey with an alumnus and explore the wide-open world that awaits our grads. Are you an Algonquin grad? We want to hear from you! Take us on your journey and help guide future Algonquin grads with your inspiring words. Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz

Skilled Trades: Know Your Options

Experience the trades

The 12th annual Options Skilled Trades Career Fair has come and gone. This award-winning program has been introducing youth in Renfrew County to skilled trades career opportunities for more than a decade. This one-day showcase of apprenticeship training has grown annually and now features 15 skilled trades competitions, involving more than 250 senior high school students. Students compete in trades such as culinary, welding, small engines, carpentry, automotive, and hairstyling.

Students building an outdoor shed

This fast paced, exciting day allows students from across Renfrew County to show off their skills and know-how and to be celebrated by their classmates. Our Waterfront Campus has worked alongside our four local school boards to support and create an event that celebrates students who don’t always get the credit they deserve. The majority of competitors are students who are either part of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program or part of the Specialist High Skills Majors program.

Employers are a major part of the event too as they sponsor the competitions, provide prizes for the competitors, judges for the competitions, and interactive displays that allow the more than 2,500 high school students who attend the show, to experience the trades. Many employers also attend to promote summer job opportunities for high school, college and university students.

So why have Algonquin College and the Renfrew County school boards committed tireless hours to making this event happen? The reason is simple. There is a stigma surrounding the trades, one that makes a decision to purse the trades post-high school a decision that is less celebrated than a traditional academic path in post-secondary studies. This stigma is losing strength and it is because of events like Options.

Students displaying their cake/

There is a shortage of experienced skilled trades workers in Renfrew County, in Ontario and across Canada and in order to bridge that gap we as a community need to support our children`s interest in the trades.

In my role at the college I get to speak to a huge number of high school aged students and I make it a point to celebrate and support those who show an interest in the trades…because if I could do it again, I would explore the trades. No question about that!

Did you go through as an apprentice or a full-time trades related program? What was your experience like? Would you recommend exploring the trades – let us know!

Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz