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The Waterfront Campus Top Ten of 2014

As we turn the page on another year, there were lots of great things to look back on in 2014 at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus. Here is my top ten!

# 10: College faculty giving back to great causes like Environmental Technician Coordinator, Sarah Hall, who trained for several months for the “Big Swim” across the North Humberland Straight to raise money for a recreational facility that supports critically ill children.

#9: Honouring almost 40 years of teaching by faculty icon Vivian Schutt who decided to retire. In honour of Vivian’s great career, a new award bearing her name will be given to a deserving student in the Office Administration-Executive Program.

#8: Recognizing the great work being done by students and faculty in applied research. For example, students working with community partners to take water samples from the Muskrat Lake as the community grapples with the challenges facing the watershed.

Muskrat River Watershed Project 2

#7: Terrific community support for the Waterfront Campus such as the $50,000 donation made to the college’s capital campaign by Cogeco Communications.

#6: The revival of Pembroke’s downtown, brought on by the new campus development. The best example of new business opportunities resulting from the building of the Waterfront Campus has been a new privately owned and operated student residence.

#5: A commitment made by the Waterfront Campus to train its faculty, managers and staff in Mental Health First Aid. With one in three Canadians expected to experience a mental health condition at least once in their lifetime, this training has better prepared college employees to assist students that experience a mental health crisis.

Purple couch - 5 people

#4: For this first time in its history, the Pembroke Campus hosted a national conference when rural college leaders from across the country attended the Rural Campus Symposium as part of the much larger Association of Canadian Community Colleges annual conference in Ottawa.

#3: The return of the Canadian Football League to the nation’s capital resulted in a partnership between the fledgling Ottawa Red Blacks and the Algonquin College Loggersports team. The team spent all summer at Red Blacks games performing every time the club scored a touchdown.

#2: Another record enrolment of students studying at the Waterfront Campus with more than 45 % of the 900+ students re-locating to the Pembroke area. It made for a very busy orientation at the start of the school year.

#1: The extraordinary work that our graduates do in the community. Here are two alumni that had banner years in 2014. Business graduate Jason Blaine established his own charity and raised more than $50,000 for Pembroke area worthy causes by hosting a concert and golf tournament and Outdoor Adventure alumnus Pete Schmalz gained national attention by winning CTV’s Amazing Race Canada.

Amazing Race CDA2

 

You may have other thoughts on what the top ten should have been for our campus. Please share your own top ten! Happy New Year!

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

You’ve Graduated! Now What?

Most Convocation 2014college graduates finish their programs in the spring, but at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, students in six programs are completing their studies just before the holiday season begins. What a great gift to themselves, but it won’t be long before they are making their list of New Year’s resolutions, and finding that first job in their field will be at the top of the list.

So here are a few suggestions for our new grads:

1. Take advantage of graduating several months before most college and university students are ready to join the workforce. Be aggressive in your job search in the months of January through April, because after that there will be a lot more competition as thousands of graduates from other post-secondary schools will be completing their studies and will be looking for work.

2. Access free services within your community to better prepare for your job search. For example, Employment Ontario officesprovide a large menu of free services from helping new graduates with building resumes to preparing for interviews. Some of these organizations also have access to programs that provide incentives to employers to hire new post-secondary graduates. These programs can be very helpful for grads that are looking to get their foot in the door and get their career started.

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3. Use social media wisely. You never know who is looking at your social media sites and you want to portray the best image possible. Make sure you have a LinkedIn account and that it is up-to-date. LinkedIn is a great place to join professional groups and to monitor job postings that fit with your education.

4. Don’t be afraid to move. Sometimes getting that first job requires a change in scenery. When you are looking to start your career, you need to go where the job is. Get some experience and then you can be more picky when choosing the right job and the most desirable location to work.

5. Keep in touch with your fellow graduates. Your former classmates may be the best source of information for job openings within your field. Joining the Algonquin College Waterfront Campus LinkedIn group would be a smart first step to keeping connected.
Nursing students look on as President MacDonald gives speech

Algonquin College is proud of all of its graduates and we always like hearing about their successes. Please let us know when you land that first job!

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community & Student Affairs

A Business Worth Steeping

A number of our Business students are on the cusp of graduating and it’s Business alumni like Lisa Banville, co-owner of Tealee who inspire these soon-to-be grads to follow their dreams.

Tealee Logo

After graduating over two years ago, Lisa found she had the basic skills she needed to turn her passion into a business called Tealee.

As a result, the 24 year-old marked her tea business’s one-year anniversary in October. Tealee began when her boyfriend and now partner, Sami Devine, suggested that he could build a website for her own business. That was all Banville needed to run with her idea – tea. She now has created eight original tea blends that are sold at grocery stores around Ottawa.

Both Banville and Devine are continuing their studies with Algonquin College by working towards their Canadian Tea Sommeliers certification. The added certification should help to ease the pressures associated with importing teas from all over the world. Banville and Devine plan to venture into tea plantations and purchase directly from the growers.

Tealee Tea

Tealee has a lot of plans moving forward, including turning this part-time hobby into a full-time venture. They hope to open up a storefront in the Ottawa area in the next five to ten years.

It is success stories like Tealee that continue to foster and encourage innovation here at our Waterfront Campus.

Do you have an alumni success story? We want to hear about it!

Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz, Here 2 Help

The Little Things Count in Student Recruitment

Recruiting college students has become fiercely competitive as post-secondary institutes face the challenges of shifting demographics that have reduced the number of traditional age college students that are available to recruit. So, how do college’s position themselves as the right choice for a prospective student? When applicants are choosing what college to study at, they may have several offers on the table. If they are doing their research right, they will plan to visit each campus, and that’s where colleges can differentiate themselves from their competitors. The little things count when an applicant engages with a school’s campus tour guides who have a huge influence on where the student enrols. It’s all about first impressions, and it’s not only the prospective student that college representatives are trying to impress. They are often joined by family members who have significant influence on the choice they will make when choosing a college. Eat, Sleep, AC At Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke, more than 45 percent of the close to 1,000 students that enroll each fall are from out of town. Many will travel several hours to visit our campus to check us out during the admissions process, and we appreciate the effort they have made to duly consider studying with us. That’s why we give each applicant that takes a personal tour of our campus a free “eat-sleep-Algonquin College” t-shirt, a small gesture of thanks for having our campus on their short list. We also ensure all of their questions are answered during their visit as we introduce them to key student services staff, faculty and if possible, students that are in the program they are interested in. Campus tours need to be thorough and by connecting applicants to students already studying at the campus, prospective students hear first hand about what another student’s experience has been at the Waterfront Campus. This interaction with current students can be very impactful and reassuring for applicants. Two female and one male college student smiling at camera Campus tours are always best taken on a weekday when there is lots of action on campus. It provides a much better perspective than a weekend tour when the campus is much quieter. Campus tours usually last about an hour. It is time really well spent and we know our guides will provide you with a great tour, because at the Waterfront Campus, we want you to study with us. Campus tours can be booked by contacting one of our Recruiters: Jodi Bucholtz: bucholj@algonquincollege.com Ellen Wong: wonge@algonquincollege.com Jessica Boldt: boldtj@algonquincollege,com Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community & Student Affairs

Algonquin Remembers Them

More than 113,000 Canadian soldiers were killed during the first two World Wars and close to 1,000 more have died in the Korean War, peacekeeping missions and the most recent conflict in Afghanistan. On November 11th, ceremonies will be held across the nation as Canada pauses to remember its war dead.

Lest We Forget

Algonquin College has always had a close working relationship with the Canadian military, as the Pembroke Campus each year has many students that are directly connected to Garrison Petawawa. This includes current members of the military, retired service men and women that are transitioning to a civilian career, military spouses and dependents. The College also has several staff that are members of military families.

Ron Kinsley

In recent years, the local military community has suffered some great losses. Many of the 157 Canadians that were killed in Afghanistan were based in Petawawa. Others that served in the war torn region were badly injured or left mentally scarred by their experience overseas.

Each year the College holds its own Remembrance Day service in a moving tribute to the men and women that have served their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Wreaths are laid by college staff and students in remembrance of soldiers, and a World War ll and Korean veteran lights a candle, a symbol of the eternal flame that glows 365 days a year at cenotaphs across the country. At the end of the service, students and staff shake the hand of the veteran, a small gesture of appreciation to an aging man who remembers the horror of war and stands as a reminder that we must never forget.

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus will go silent. On Remembrance Day, pause to remember them.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager, Community and Student Affairs

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

Iconic Teacher Retires After 39 Years with Algonquin College

After almost four decades of teaching at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, Vivian Schutt is calling it a day. The beloved and well respected long-time coordinator of the Office Administration-Executive program was recently celebrated by her colleagues for her many contributions to the college community, including her teaching of more than 1,000 students.

Vivian Schutt Retirement Slide

Schutt got her start at the college after performing well as a student in a Business and Commerce 9-month program. She was asked to teach part-time in the program, and a few years later secured an opportunity to teach full-time at the college.

Over the years, technological advancements forced her to change the curriculum she was teaching often. From manual typewriters to the introduction of the internet and the widespread use of personal computers and mobile devices, Schutt was constantly testing new software programs and computer applications, and passing on her knowledge to the students she was teaching.

Through all of these changes, she relied on a simple motto, spurred by her Mother’s British heritage, to “stay calm and carry on.”

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In recognition of her incredible contribution to the college, a new award has been named after her. The Vivian Schutt Office Administration-Executive Award will be handed out annually to a high performing student in the program.

Last June, the entire Pembroke Campus community of faculty, staff and administrators nominated Schutt for a college Lifetime Achievement Award, a ringing endorsement of how much she is liked by her colleagues and also an indication of how much her presence will be missed at Algonquin.

Vivian

If you were taught by Vivian and would like to pass on good wishes on her retirement, please post your comments. We know Vivian will appreciate it.

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

Big Purple Couch Arrives at Waterfront Campus

One in five or 20 percent of Canadians will suffer from a significant mental health condition at least once in their lifetime according to the Mental Health Association of Canada, and unfortunately most of society is programmed not to talk about it. However, things are changing as campaigns like Olympian Clara Hughes’ cross Canada “Big Bike Ride” raises funds and brings attention to how many Canadians are inflicted with mental health conditions. These initiatives are taking away the stigma that prevents those suffering from mental health issues from seeking help.

At Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, the college is trying to take a leadership role in Renfrew County by engaging its students and staff to better understand their own mental health, and how they can help others who are experiencing mental health issues. In the past year, more than 70 college employees have completed the 12 hour Mental Health First Aid certification course, training that has taught them how to be first responders when a student is experiencing a mental health problem.

Recently, the college also sponsored a film presented at the Valley Documentary Festival in Pembroke, entitled “Out of Mind, Out of Sight,” which focused on four patients at a Brockville Psychiatric Hospital who had committed violent crimes as a result of their struggle with serious mental health inflictions like schizophrenia. The film was followed by a panel discussion involving college faculty that have done research in the field of mental health.

Valley Film Festival mental health panel

 

Now, the college is introducing a purple couch at the campus, a symbolic overture to students that it’s ok to talk to someone if they are feeling depressed, battling an eating disorder, have had suicidal thoughts, or any other mental health concerns that they have been keeping to themselves.

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The purple couch will move around the campus and will often have a staff member or student available that has been trained in starting mental health conversations. There will also be pamphlets and other information that accompany the couch. These materials can be shared with any student that needs support.

Purple couch - 5 people

In the months ahead, there will be more mental health awareness campaigns on campus, because these conversations need to happen. Let’s all work together to help those that suffer in silence by letting them know we care. There’s room on the purple couch.

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

 

 

 

Algonquin College at Centre of Pembroke’s Downtown Revitalization

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it will take time to bring Pembroke’s downtown fully back to life, but there are some very positive signs that things are changing in the city’s inner core. After years of struggling to compete with shopping malls and big box stores that attracted shoppers to the outskirts of the city, Pembroke’s downtown landed an anchor when Algonquin College committed to building a new Waterfront Campus near the city’s main street. Two years after the college opened, it is now obvious the campus is having an impact on generating new business opportunities in the historic downtown, an area that quite frankly needed a good dose of positive energy after some tough times.

downtown Pembroke

Yes, there are still empty store fronts and buildings in disrepair, but for the first time in decades, people are paying attention to the downtown and the talk is moving from being negative to positive. The municipality has started repair work on streets and downtown bridges, new developers have purchased properties that had been neglected for many years and are working on sprucing them up, new businesses are opening, existing businesses are freshening up their facades, and entrepreneurs are focusing on students. The opening of a privately operated student residence in the former Lakeside Medical Clinic, a building that had sat empty for a couple of years, is a great example of the impact the new college is having in creating the right conditions for business growth in the downtown.

student residence lounge

To get back to its glory days, Pembroke’s downtown still has a long way to go, but there is now hope that a revival is underway. Algonquin College is pleased to be part of the revitalization. Its new campus project was entitled Renaissance Square, the promise of a new beginning for the college and the downtown.

The changes that are taking place are more than baby steps. Positive change is happening. The new Algonquin Campus has proven to a be a catalyst for economic renewal and with college enrolments growing the potential for further investment in the downtown is encouraging.

What are your thoughts on the revitalization of Pembroke’s Downtown?

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

4 Tips for New College Students: What I Wish I Knew

It’s that time again! The first week of the new academic year is in full swing. As a former student, I thought I might impart some useful tips that I wish I knew when I started out in school. New Life straight ahead. 1. Do the best you can. Not everyone is destined to graduate college with a perfect 4.0 GPA. So what? The best advice I can give is to truly do your best and have no regrets after. Albert Einstein said “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Don’t be too hard on yourself. Just do your best and trust that the dots will connect. We also have many Student Support Services here on campus to help you out. 2. Roll with the right crew. You’re going to meet a wide variety of people in college. It can be quite a shock at first, but I think that surrounding yourself with the right people is key to enjoying your life at college. Try to associate yourself with people of similar values and interests, people who want to see you succeed. You’ll never meet them unless you go out and talk to people. Our Pembroke Student Association has a number of clubs, teams and activities to take advantage of. Join a club that interests you, try out as many things as you can to find out what excites you both personally and professionally. New friends 3. Get the most of college. In college, you will have the opportunity to have experiences you wouldn’t have otherwise. These experiences, good and bad, will shape your character and if you’re really lucky, you’ll find your purpose in life or what makes you truly happy. So go ahead find your passion, fall in love, start a company, learn who you are – this College is your oyster! 4. Don’t ever give up. Realize and accept the fact that there are going to be times in your college life where you will be stressed out. Push through and you’ll see that it gets better quickly. As my main man Rocky Balboa once said, “It ain’t about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep movin’ forward, how much you can take…and keep movin’ forward. That’s how winning is done!” Rocky - The Movie College can be as good or bad as you make it. This is one of the best times of anyone’s life- a time where you mould your character and become the person you’re going to be for the rest of your life. No regrets!

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” –Steve Jobs

What are some of the things you wish you knew while in school? Or what tips do you have? Posted by: Jodi Bucholtz, Here 2 Help team member!