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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

The Summer Melt

Every year, thousands of students make their way into the post-secondary system, embarking on a journey that will be one of the most memorable of their lifetime. It will also be an experience that will position them for success in the workplace, but this blog is not about the students that go on to college or university to earn a credential, but rather the students that don’t.

These students have the same hopes and dreams, but instead of enrolling in the program they had intended to, they abandon their plan before starting classes.

In colleges, it is known as the “summer melt.”

melting-strawberry-icecream-400x400

So the question is, why don’t these students follow through with their intentions to attend post-secondary schooling? At a time when colleges and universities are facing the reality of a demographic shift in most parts of the country that will impact enrolments moving forward, enrolment managers are paying a lot of attention to this phenomenon.

Choosing to attend a post-secondary institute is both a logical and emotional decision. With that decision comes a lot of considerations, including answering questions like: Am I making the right program choice or do I have the necessary funding to pay for college? As applicants make their way through the admissions funnel, there are lot of things that can happen to give an applicant cold feet.

What colleges are trying to figure out is what are the triggers that lead these applicants to become drop outs, before they even begin their post-secondary journey, and more importantly how can they intervene to help these students stay on course.

In my opinion, it starts with building a relationship early and maintaining that relationship through the many months involved in the admissions cycle. There needs to be a lot of communication with applicants to offset those emotional feelings that can sway a student to make a decision that they probably will later regret. The applicants may not know there are services and supports available to them that can assist with helping them overcome some of the barriers that may have them thinking about pulling the plug on their college plans.

Those connections could involve meeting with faculty in the program they are considering, taking a campus tour, participating in a summer orientation college preparation session, sitting in on a college webinar, or opening up an on line conversation with a college student services representative. All of these touch points help an applicant feel secure in their decision, and stop them from melting away.

Undeclared

Parents, spouses and those closest to applicants also play a critical role in offering reassurance that the student is making a good decision by attending college. I know, because about five years ago my daughter was experiencing the same doubts during the summer months about whether she was choosing the right program. In her case, she had been accepted into an Early Childhood Education program, but eventually made the decision to enroll in an Office Administration-Executive program. It was a good choice and has led to a full time position with a large company with plenty of opportunities for advancement.

As parents, we could have said, take a year off and think about it some more. For some applicants that may work, but my experience has told me that it often doesn’t. These students often don’t resurface in the admissions funnel the following year, and it may be several years before they re-consider attending college, if they do at all.

Research in the United States has suggested the most vulnerable summer melt students come from low income families. Many may be the first person in their immediate family to attend post-secondary education, inherently putting significant pressure on them to succeed. That in itself could be overwhelming and as the start of fall classes creep closer, the emotional knee jerk reaction may be to relieve that pressure by taking the path frequently travelled by so many others who melt away during the months of June, July and August.

If you know a student that is having second thoughts about attending college this fall, do them a favour, and recommend they meet with a college advisor. That conversation could make a world of difference on whether they melt away or they carry through with their original plans to attend post-secondary schooling. It’s also a decision that could be life altering. It’s that important, given today’s competitive labour market and the need for post-secondary training.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus

Read other articles about Summer Melt phenomenon at colleges: (Note-the articles are American based as Canadian institutes have been slower to adopt the summer melt terminology and therefore less has been written about the topic by Canadian academics)

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

Algonquin Alumnus Jason Blaine Rocks PMC for Charity

Jason Blaine is one of Canada’s top Country music recording artists! He is also a Pembroke native and a graduate of Algonquin College’s Business program and recently he did what more college graduates should be doing! He gave back to his college and his community.

In the United States, alumni play a huge role in supporting the overall well being of the institution that they graduated from. In Canada, there are a few universities such as St. FX in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and Queens in Kingston, Ontario, that have a strong hold on their alumni, but most Canadian colleges and universities struggle with alumni relations. Unfortunately, most graduates move on with their lives after finishing up their schooling, and don’t keep their connection to their alma matter.

Recently, Blaine, who has lived in Nashville, Tennessee for several years, came back to his hometown of Pembroke to hold his first charity concert and golf tournament. The event was a resounding success, raising $50,000 for local charities including Algonquin College’s new Pembroke Campus capital campaign and the Boys and Girls Club of Pembroke.

Jason Blaine Kira Isabella Gord Bambord_72Jason Blaine with celebrity friends Kira Isabella and Gord Bamford

Married, with three young children, a crazy travel schedule, the pressure to write and record more hit songs, and all of the challenges that come with living a public life, Blaine didn’t have to spend the hundreds of hours required to plan and execute a great concert and golf tournament event, but he did! Why? Because his hometown and the college he graduated from, matter to him.

Jason Blaine at Grand Opening

Not every post-secondary graduate has the profile that Jason Blaine does, but every one of them can make a difference at the college they graduated from. Whether it is taking the time to visit future classes to share their college and work experiences with students, or making a financial contribution to a bursary program or a capital project, both time and financial gifts contribute to the success of a school.

Jason Blaine thanks golfers at his first annual golf classic tournament_72Jason Blaine thanks golfers at his first annual golf classic tournament.

What Jason Blaine has done by establishing his own Charitable Fund is inspirational. It is also a call to action to all Algonquin College graduates to consider giving back to their college and their community.

Jason reveals amount raised for charity_72Jason reveals amount raised for charity.

I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts on this blog or about other Algonquin graduates that are doing great things in their community. Please share.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger

 

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It really is the most wonderful time of the year here on campus and it’s not because a majority of our students are gone for the summer! This is our favourite time of the year because the faculty, support staff and management team love celebrating the successes of our graduating class.

Nursing students look on as President MacDonald gives speech

This past week we had the honour of watching over 180 students walk across the stage at the Pembroke Memorial Centre. Their smiles could be seen from a mile away as could the realization that all their hard work, late nights and endless cups of coffee got them to this extraordinary moment. All the “cheerleaders” who watched these students grow and accomplish such wonderful things, including friends, family, special guests, faculty and support staff cheered and clapped as this enthusiastic group of students celebrated each other.

Dr. Kent MacDonald, Algonquin College President said it perfectly, “We are in an arena which has a long history of celebrating champions,” he said, and stated it is no different this evening. “You are a very impressive lot.”

The theme of the evening was a challenge to our graduating class – figure out how to give back to your communities and live a life of purpose. This is not a small challenge by any means, but a challenge nonetheless that we know our students are committed to fulfilling.

Charlie Butler, Pembroke GraduationPhoto taken by Stephen Uhler, Observer Multimedia Journalist

We also had the privilege of presenting an honorary degree to Charles Butler, Pembroke businessman and exceptional supporter of our Waterfront Campus. Mr. Butler shared some very wise words with our graduates, “You have earned an education from the college, but it is now up to you to do something with it,” he said.

No matter where they end up, Butler said they should never forget their home community or their college, and to share the wealth with them, either with volunteer time or money.

These words were echoed by valedictorian Anthony Rea, a Social Service Worker student who has dedicated the last two years of his life to support his local community of Renfrew County through various charitable events and his volunteerism.

Convocation 2014

Though not family and not necessarily friends of our students, we, at the College, are invested in the success of our students on campus and take great pleasure in celebrating each and every student who crosses the threshold of what could be to what will be.

Did you have a “cheerleader” in your life that supported you through your educational journey? Tell us about it!

Posted By: Jodi Bucholtz

The Ultimate Orientation to College

It is one of the most exhilarating college programs on earth, but it’s not necessarily the right choice for everyone that wants to work in the adventure tourism industry. Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure program was launched in the fall of 2000 and has attracted hundreds of students from across the country and abroad over its almost 15 years of existence. Graduates now scatter the globe working in various fields from leading rafting trips in Costa Rica to being ski instructors in British Columbia.

RunningFuture ODA student taking part in the 5 km running portion of the duathlon.

The program is appealing because of its interactive elements that allow students to earn more than twenty industry recognized certifications while blending their practical experiences with theory classes that cover everything from risk management in outdoor education to business skills like accounting, marketing and finance. Of course, there’s also several expeditions including a culminating experience in the final term of the program that requires students to plan and execute an adventure tourism trip anywhere in the world.

So what’s not to like about the Outdoor Adventure program? Not much, but for some students they may not be prepared for the physical rigor of the program or it simply takes them our of their comfort zone when taking part in the practical skills like rock climbing or white water kayaking. That’s why the faculty hold a program readiness camp that is imbedded in the admissions process. It is an opportunity for the teachers to evaluate the student’s preparedness for the program and for the students to self-reflect on whether the program is right for them.

Talking about gearGear Talk

Each May, the applicants spend two days at the Wilderness Tours Resort, where they participate in a number of outdoor activities including white water rafting, mountain biking and repelling from a Bungee Jumping tower, a means of determining their comfort level with heights. These activities are designed to promote team work and to measure an applicant’s anxiety level when taking part in high adventure exercises.

RappellingIt’s a long way down!

For most applicants, it is the ultimate orientation to college, and they are fully engaged and can’t wait for the program to start. But for others, the camp and its high adventure experiences, are a bit more than they anticipated, and it helps them choose a program that better suits their personality such as Outdoor Adventure Naturalist, the more passive sister program to Outdoor Adventure.

There is a lesson to be learned from the Outdoor Adventure program readiness camp for all college applicants. Take the time to get to know your program before enrolling. Participate in pre-enrolment events such as Open Houses, campus tours, meet and greets with faculty, or Student Association social outings. All of these opportunities to connect with a college help inform the decisions students make.

Whitewater Rafting PrepGetting ready to go whitewater rafting.

At the end of day, being flipped out of a raft into a rapid, may be the best pre-college experience a student will have, because it will help them decide whether the odd gulp of river water is right for them, or they prefer a more traditional college program with less adventure. I think that is time well spent!

I’d love to hear about your pre-college experience and how it helped reinforce your program choice, or helped you choose a different career pathway? Please post your story.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger

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

 

 

Awareness = Success!

We believe that awareness is an integral component of success and in staying true to our beliefs we are introducing a number of Program Awareness Camps for some of our full-time programs this spring.

Success

Students who have confirmed their offers of admission or are interested in the programs listed are invited to take part our new Awareness Camp. These are intended to provide a snapshot of what you as a fall 2014 student will experience during your program. This interactive learning experience will also connect you as a student to faculty, support staff and fellow classmates.

Students who have applied to our Environmental Technician and Outdoor Adventure Naturalist programs are invited to participate in a two-day experience Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31, 2014, where you will camp overnight at our educational partner, Wilderness Tours and get a taste of activities both on and off the water to expose you to a learning experience representative of your specific program. In addition, students get to participate in a gentle river raft trip on the beautiful and scenic Ottawa River!

outdoor adventurer naturalist students with binoculars

Prospective students who have applied to our Police Foundations, Practical Nursing, Radiation Safety and Social Service Worker programs also get the opportunity to experience a snapshot of their program at our new Waterfront Campus. This is an idea opportunity for all students in these program areas to become more aware of what awaits them in the fall. These Awareness Camps are intended to help with the transition from high school, work life or being out of school for a number of years.

Mock Disaster 2Mock Disaster Simulation – Police Foundations, Practical Nursing, Radiation Safety and Social Service Worker programs

Students new found ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of what is required of them for their full-time program will help them to be empowered and have a level of success that they can adhere to their educational journey.

Would a Program Awareness Camp have helped you transition to college life? Do you wish we offered Program Awareness Camps for our other full-time programs? Let us know!

Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz

Tackle the job market on your own terms

As our soon-to-be graduates start to think about the job market and what lies ahead of them, they need to remember it’s not the luck of the draw, it’s the luck of the drive! You need to create your own career karma with a do-it-yourself attitude. Instead of waiting for opportunity to knock, why not get out there today and create it yourself?

Job Interview

To configure your own personal professional development plan – a custom fit for where you want to be at work – the key is developing a career focus. Deciding what you want to be doing, where you want to be doing it, and pin-pointing exactly what it’s going to take to get there, require inspiration, reflection and research.

Here are four DIY opportunities that allow you to take the initiative and open doors for yourself.

  1. Get some insider industry intelligence: Line up an informational interview or conversation with a person in your desired field either conducted by phone or in-person. Get the inside scoop on what it takes to succeed in the field and make sure it’s a good fit for you. To be successful in this first step, you will need to be persistent, well-prepped with smart questions and listen actively.
  2. Expand your network: On a regular basis, line up a lunch date with someone in your extended professional network including those who have been guest speakers, professors or from your LinkedIn network. People often get jobs because of who they know or make themselves know to.
  3. Develop your professional skills portfolio: Continue to employable skills to your resume by mastering unique and in-demand job skills. The ability to wear may hats and deliver results beyond your job title and description will set you apart and positions you on the promotion fast track. This will require you to be curious, self-motivated and disciplined. Consider free online courses like MOOCs, YouTube videos, webinars or workshops through Continuing Education.
  4. Be discoverable: Stake your claim to the web with personal profile that is public-facing and professional. But don’t forget to humanize it with evidence of your unique personality. Your resume also needs to be up-to-date and can be spruced up with free services available on campus through Employment Services. Once your resume represents the awesomeness that is you, post it online with a great head-shot.
I Got The Job!

Whether you are currently employed or not, practice self-direction and get ahead in your career with these do-it-yourself opportunities, and generate a bit of self-manufactured luck in the process!

These are just a few tips and tricks to build the professional you. Do you have more tips for our future grads?

Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz

 

 

Options Skilled Trades Fair a Community Showcase

We have all heard about the shortage of skilled trades workers. If not, try calling a tradesperson to do some renovations at your home, and be prepared to wait or to pay more than you expected. With the average age of a trades worker increasing, there is a supply and demand issue in many trades that has caused governments at all levels to re-think the importance of encouraging more young people to pursue apprenticeship training.

Twelve years ago, the Options Skilled Trades Fair was launched at the Petawawa Civic Centre in a grassroots effort to expose more Renfrew County high school students to careers available in the trades. Options has become one of the largest skilled trades fairs in the province, and arguably the most successful.

It has been recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities with a Minister’s Award of Excellence for its ability to bring together Algonquin College, Renfrew County’s four District School Boards, dozens of employers and hundreds of high school students in a collaborative effort to showcase apprenticeship training as the third pillar of Ontario’s post-secondary training system.

At its core, Options has been successful because of its interactive approach to turning young people on to the trades. Each year, more than 200 senior high school students participate in more than ten skills competitions, ranging from carpentry to hairstyling. The more than 1500 grade ten students that attend as part of their career planning course have an opportunity to test several trades through fun activities such as painting, building brick walls, and using power tools to drill holes in lumber.

9 - Molecular Gastronomy Demonstration - Mar 24, 2014

While the event is enjoyed by the students, it has also prompted a swell of community pride. Tradespeople and large skilled trades employers from across the region give up their time and make financial contributions to the event to provide judges and materials for competitions, and prizes for competitors. There is also a pay back for the students. Storage sheds built in the team carpentry competition are auctioned off at the end of the day with all funds raised through the sales supporting bursaries for students who are entering the trades.

OYAP1-EFCol

This year’s Options Skilled Trades Fair will be held on May 13th at the Pembroke Memorial Centre. The event is open to the public and is free. Parents are encouraged to attend.

If you have an opinion on the importance of exposing young people to skilled trades careers, please share your comments.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger