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Students with university degrees who seek skills for jobs turn to colleges

Community college system represented ‘a step towards democratization of higher education’ when it was established. Now, it sees students looking for training to help them find employment.

In the spring of 1966, when miniskirts, the Beatles and Bonanza were all the rage, Bruce Craig was a teenager who’d had enough of high school. He had no intention of returning for Grade 13 in the fall. Then he spotted a newspaper story about a new learning opportunity coming to his Scarborough neighbourhood. Continue reading this Toronto Star article >>

Venture Builder Program – “Explore Entrepreneurship”

Image result for entrepreneurshipWant to start a company with like-minded individuals but don’t know where to start? Motivated to gain valuable life and business skills? Interested in making money and providing value to the community – try entrepreneurship!

Learn more about Venture Builder Program – “Explore Entrepreneurship,” an exclusive opportunity to all Waterfront Campus students. If you are interested to learn more or dive right in, please contact Chris Doré, Entrepreneur in Residence, with your questions at dorec1@algonquincollege.com.

Due to the nature of the program only 6-8 students will be accepted. The expectation is 2-3 hours per week and one group meeting a week. Upon acceptance, students will work together with the Entrepreneur in Residence to create a business.

Deadline for Venture Builder Program application is January 31, 2017 – get your name in today!

Becoming an Entrepreneur: Is it for me?

Attention current students! We are offering a new General Elective course this semester – Becoming an Entrepreneur: Is it for me?

If you are interested in exploring your entrepreneurial spirit on Wednesdays from 3 – 5 p.m. this semester.

Name of Course: Becoming an Entrepreneur: Is it for me? GED0019-340
Professor: Chela Breckon
When it will be offered: Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. in Room 334
What programs are eligible to take it as a Gen Ed: Construction Techniques, Forestry, and General Arts and Science.

Registration Process: please contact Pauline Edmonds General Electives Coordinator to register, edmondp@algonquincollege.com, 613-735-4700 x2715, Room 323

Ask Jasmine: Seven Ways to make group work less painful

I hate working in groups – there are too many personalities and there’s always someone who doesn’t pull their weight! But my courses involve a lot of group work. How do I deal with this?”

Group work is challenging, no doubt about it. Students often come away from group projects feeling like other members have not contributed enough. Difficulties with planning and managing time, and allocating responsibility often leave students feeling frustrated and resentful.

You might not like it, but professors assign group work for a number of important reasons. Gaining exposure to group work while you are still in college provides a great opportunity to learn how to effectively collaborate, give and receive feedback, and manage potential conflicts. These are skills that will undoubtedly benefit you in your future career.

Group work also allows you to share different perspectives and learn from your diverse peers. Effective groups engage in open discussions that respectfully challenge each other’s beliefs and assumptions. This is what college is for! These experiences will help you to develop stronger communication and critical thinking skills.

The next time you find yourself working in a group, try to use the following tips:

1. Create a supportive atmosphere

You are all in this together so make sure that people feel included and valued. Positive feedback is great! This will help to strengthen the group rather than weaken it if challenges arise.

2. Listen and acknowledge

You can do this by paraphrasing and summarizing what they’ve told you. If everyone feels heard they will be more invested in the project, increasing your chances of success.

3. Set clear objectives

Make sure each group member has an understanding of their role and specific responsibilities. Write it all down and review this each time you meet in order to assess progress.

4. Be prepared to meet halfway

You can’t be part of an effective group without compromising.

5. Have open conversations

If a group member is not pulling their weight, be prepared to express your concerns. Start by being empathetic and supportive. Try this: “I know you’re really stressed about school right now, but I’m feeling a bit anxious because I don’t have your slides yet for the presentation. Could you send them to me today?”

6. It’s about the journey

Remember that the professor is not only interested in the final product. The process itself is a learning experience that is going to help prepare you for your future career. Treasure this time as an opportunity to practise for the real world!

7. Make an appointment

If you are interested in speaking with a counsellor about improving your interpersonal skills, make an appointment with one of the counsellors at your campus.

Research finds 84% of college grads secure employment within six months

College education continues to provide an effective pathway to the workforce as results show about 84 per cent of Ontario’s most recent graduates found employment within six months of graduation.

“Colleges build the talent and skills of students to help them pursue rewarding careers,” said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “This strengthens the economy and builds Ontario’s international reputation.”

Read more of this media release from Colleges Ontario >>

Algonquin College Alumni Doing Great Things

It has been a week to celebrate our alumni at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus. Not a formal celebration, but rather a time to reflect on the great things that our graduates are doing here at home.

Dallas McLeod-PF gradIt seems everywhere I turned this past week I was learning about a special project or initiative that one of our alumni was involved in. It started with a chance meeting with Police Foundations graduate, Dallas McLeod, who was on campus for a Program Advisory committee meeting.

McLeod graduated in 2013 and is now a full-time member of the Renfrew OPP detachment. While he was a student, he accumulated an incredible 3000+ hours of volunteer work. Through his participation on an Advisory Committee, he is continuing his commitment to volunteerism by providing feedback to the College on the program he graduated from.

Sam Graham-wheelchair basketballA few days later I had a call from Social Service Worker graduate Sam Graham, class of 2015. Graham, who is now working on earning a Degree in Social Work at Carleton University, was planning a wheelchair basketball fundraiser at the Waterfront Campus for the fourth year in a row.

Graham has raised money for several causes including the Algonquin College food bank and the Pembroke Regional Hospital MRI Fund. This year, he was helping to generate funds for a recreational facility in Ottawa for people with disabilities.

Jason Blaine2001 Business graduate and Canadian Recording artist, Jason Blaine, established his own charitable fund a few years ago. For the past two years, he has held a two-day fundraising event that features a concert and a golf tournament, raising more than $125,000 for community causes in his hometown.

This week he announced he will be joined by two of Canada’s top Country performers, Dallas Smith and Jason McCoy at this year’s charity concert on June 14th. It will be another sold-out event with this year’s beneficiaries including Algonquin College, the Pembroke and Area Boys and Girls Club and local food banks. Blaine is also again committing $5,000 to help Renfrew County not for profit groups access Mental Health First Aid training.

These are only a few examples of what you can learn in a short time about the great things our Algonquin College alumni are doing. They really are terrific people and their commitment to helping others is extraordinary and worth celebrating.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community & Student Affairs

Ask Jasmine: Confused About Your Next Steps?

Algonquin College Graduation“I’m approaching graduation and I’m conflicted about what my next step should be. Should I travel while I still can? Should I pursue more education? Do I try to find a career job right away, even though I don’t have much experience? Help!”

What an exciting time! You have so many great opportunities ahead of you. Although I can’t answer your question about what your next step should be, I can assure you that you’ve got some time to figure it out. While there is pressure to determine what you want to do with your life from an early age, know that young adulthood is all about self-exploration and discovery. It’s a time to try new things, to challenge yourself, and to make and learn from your mistakes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, wary, and uncertain, know that you’re in good company.

Some things to think about:

  1. Get comfortable with uncertainty. As we transition into adulthood it’s easy to get trapped into thinking that we need to have it all figured out. This is a big fat farce! The truth is, uncertainty is normal and unavoidable. It’s okay not to know your next move.
  2. Listen to others, but make your own decisions. There will be times in your life when others try to make decisions for you. We all love to give advice, right? Remember that nobody else has to wear your shoes. Sometimes the choices you make will turn out to be mistakes – or what you perceive as mistakes at the time. It’s all part of the messy and bewildering process. Giddy-up!
  3. Do your research. Whether you’re going backpacking in Europe or enrolling in a new program, spend some time inquiring about it before committing. Read about it, talk to the experts, and ask tons of questions. This will help to enrich your experience and minimize your anxiety.
  4. Talk to a counsellor on campus. Counsellors are able to assist students with career assessment and planning. Career counselling can help you to explore your values, skills, goals, and passions to help clarify future possibilities. Counsellors also have access to career assessment tools like the Myers– Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which can help to reveal how you perceive the world and make decisions. You can also work on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns that might interfere with success.

Spring Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

With spring fresh in the air and the end of the winter term just around the corner, we thought it a perfect time to provide an update on activities that have recently happened and provide some insight into upcoming events.

We are pleased to present our latest Waterfront Campus video, featuring Karen Davies, Dean highlighting our campus along the shores of the Ottawa River.

We also reflected on the fact that we have a number of Office Administration – Executive graduates who work on campus. To celebrate this fact, we created a “We Hire Our Own” video.

Take a moment to have a look at our new Events Calendar too! This features recent activities as well as upcoming initiatives for students and families.

Our dedicated Parents’ and Families website features links to blogs, interesting articles written by our Student Services staff and a calendar that notes some important upcoming dates.

Our goal is to keep you informed. While we respect the privacy of our students, the information we will provide in this newsletter will give you a good sense of what is happening on campus throughout the year and will provide you with enough information to have engaging conversations with your student.

An animated snowman holding a sign that say Waterfront Campus WinterFest

Winterfest: An opportunity to celebrate to wonders of winter!

Earlier in February, students had the opportunity to participate in some wintry activities including:

  • Outdoor activities: kayak pull, snowshoeing and bean bag toss
  • Loggersports Demo & hot chocolate warm-up station
  • Indoor games: Waterfront Jeopardy trivia, board games and video game station
  • Hockey! Hockey! and more Hockey!
  • Chuck-a-puck during the hockey intermission for a chance to win prizes worth $1,000!!!
  • Free dinner back in the Commons, some cards and a wee pub night!

Have a look at our Winterfest photo album >>

Pembroke Campus Book ClubDid you know the Campus has a Book Club?

The Waterfront Campus is lucky to have a very engaged Library and as a result we have our own Waterfront Campus Book Club!

This semester students and staff have read Fifteen Dogs by by André Alexis, Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling, The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker and they are currently reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Learn more about our Library Services!

Chris Dore with arms crossed and smiling at cameraWaterfront Campus Welcomes Our First Entrepreneur in Residence

Christopher Doré is our Waterfront Campus Entrepreneur in Residence and is responsible for creating an on campus entrepreneurial hub, putting tools in place to support our students who are interested in starting up their own business or being innovation leaders. Learn more about the supports and features that are available to our students on our Entrepreneurial website >>

Events on Campus

Algonquin College Speaker Series Presents…

Martin Sprigg, in the field as a registered nurseHumanitarian & Adventurer Martin Spriggs

Toward the end of February, Martin Springs, former Ottawa Valley resident and friend of the College, spoke to our students and staff. Martin has spent his life helping others, whether during his 15-year military career as an infantryman and paratrooper deployed to global hotspots like Cyprus, Croatia or the streets of Sarajevo or in his post-military life as an emergency medical technician or his multiple trips overseas on international humanitarian or disaster relief missions.

The focus of Spriggs’s main address in the colleges commons was a solo bicycle trip he took in 2014, where he covered more than 7,000 kilometers and rode from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, Nfld., all to raise as much awareness as possible about the spectre of suicide and mental health ailments among current and former Canada Armed Forces members.


At about 02:15, Titanic's angle in the water began to increase rapidly as water poured into previously unflooded parts of the ship through deck hatches.UPCOMING: Titanic! Canadian Stories From the Ill-Fated Ocean Liner
April 14, 2016, 7 p.m.
Author and Titanic Researcher Alan Hustak will be on campus to recall some of the Canadian stories from the ill-fated ocean liner on the 104th anniversary of the tragedy.

Alan spent years researching the 130 passengers on the Titanic who were bound for Canada and will share their stories, including a real-life romance that rivals the fictional story of Jack and Rose in the blockbuster movie, “Titanic.” Learn more about this event >>

Waterfront Campus Convocation

Do you have a son, daughter, or spouse graduating this year? Mark your calendars because our Waterfront Campus Convocation will be held on Friday, June 3 this year!

Ceremony to be held at the Pembroke Memorial Centre situated in downtown Pembroke at the corner of Lake and Christie Streets across the street from our Waterfront Campus. More details will be shared with your loved ones in the near future.

Thank you for reading our newsletter for parents and families. We would welcome your feedback.

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Tips to Achieve Your Networking Goals. Network Like a Boss!

Chris Dore with arms crossed and smiling at cameraHave you ever walked into a room and felt out of place, like why am I here or how come no one is talking to me? Well that is a common thought and feeling we all experience when we reach out and start networking. Any time we go outside of our comfort zone, we feel uncomfortable. The thing to remember is that this very feeling is just a prelude to personal growth. Networking and meeting new people are all a part of life and the many experiences we have. It is also one of the best ways to find a job, create a partnership, find customers, and mentors.

Some people are naturals at networking while others are not. Luckily, I am a natural networker. I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories. I also lack the fear of rejection that many often feel. These two items, which can be overcome quite easily, led me to an abundance of opportunities from great positions in companies to sitting on various high profile committees and boards at an early age.

The great thing about networking is that it never goes out of style and is becoming easier with the abundance of social networks and technology available.

Here are some of my best tips on networking.

  1. Don’t be afraid: what you are feeling is likely what others are feeling too. Networking events are meant to be exactly that – networking events. People want to meet you and you want to meet people. So get out there and give it a try. In most cases students can attend events at a lower cost or even free!
  2. Use LinkedIn for professional purposes: maybe large group networking is not for you. LinkedIn is a great tool to find professionals in your area to network with. I often send requests to individuals I would like to meet face to face. It is important to be strategic about this process. Approach people that you hope will mutually benefit from your connection.
  3. Don’t wait to finish school to start networking: the sooner you start networking, the large the network and benefit will be to you. I have been to many networking events and there are very few students who attend. That is an absolute advantage to the few that do. You will stand out and potentially meet people that can hire you, mentor you or give you some great new perspectives on the world.
  4. Follow the 80/20 rule: listen 80% of the time and talk 20%. This is really hard. Most people when nervous tend to ramble, so have conversations but don’t dominate them by telling your whole life story. Show interest in who you are speaking with, ask great questions and listen. Listening is a skill that most people need to develop.
  5. Build relationships: this sounds like common sense but in many cases it is missed. Relationships should be win/ not just a one way relationship in which only one person benefits. Make sure you have something to offer. We all have something, so start to take personal inventory.
  6. Most importantly, follow-up with people you have met: hone your professional relationship building skills. I personally feel that it is best to follow up as soon as possible – keep your meeting fresh in mind. I recommend a friendly face-to-face coffee to learn more about my fellow networker.

Now, if you’re interested in networking there are a ton of options. Look up your local Chamber of Commerce or check out Eventbrite.ca and Meetup.com just to name a few.

Hope you find some of these tips helpful and feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn or Twitter – always happy to increase my network and help out.

Posted by Chris Doré, Waterfront Campus Entrepreneur in Residence