Student Experience
Get on-the-job experience
Students in the Office Administration – Executive program at Algonquin College gain valuable networking opportunities and work experience through a three-week work placement in their final semester. Employers have been highly supportive by providing placement opportunities, and often use these placements as a testing ground for future employees. This placement provides the student with excellent feedback on their skills and areas they may want to improve upon before actively beginning their job search.
“What impressed me most was the enthusiasm, maturity and professionalism exhibited by the students. They used their entire curriculum training to achieve success and were justly proud of what they accomplished. There is absolutely no doubt that I will partner with Algonquin’s Office Administration program in the next major community project I am part of. “
-Fred Blackstein, full-time community volunteer and former Vice-Chair of Algonquin College’s Board of Governors on the Office Administration – Executive student during the Waterfront Boardwalk Rebuild project in 2015
Hands-on learning
Students have the opportunity to take part in and initiate exciting learning opportunities that take place outside of the classroom. Office Administrative – Executive students have collaborated with local groups like The Grind Pembroke, a not-for-profit charitable organization that operates outreach services in downtown Pembroke for marginalized community members across Renfrew County.
Students from the Pembroke’s Office Administration – Executive program have been honoured with a Changemaker Award from the College’s Board of Governors. The Student Changemaker Award is a way for the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student success or project. The honour was a tribute to the students’ fundraising efforts for social issues in Renfrew Country, including the Raise a Red Flag initiative (in partnership with the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre) and Project Hope for the Homeless in Renfrew County.
“I was able to be part of a positive change that our program was able to spark,” said student alumnus Hartwig during the presentation to the Board. “The continued support of our community inspires me still.” The students’ work includes:
Coldest Night of the Year: Feb. 23 marked the third consecutive year that the OAE program was invited to support this community fundraising initiative in Pembroke. Each year, between 10 to 15 students volunteer for duties that include managing the welcome table, running registration, and processing donations. This year the event raised approximately $40,000 for the community homelessness initiative.
Project Hope for the Homeless in Renfrew County: Launched in 2018, this student-led initiative supports putting an end to homelessness in Renfrew County in partnership with The Grind Pembroke, a homeless shelter that operates in the city’s downtown. The students build cardboard shelters and spend a night outside, experiencing homelessness first hand, along with other fundraising efforts. Students brought in more than $12,000 that was donated to the Grind Transition House.
Raise a Red Flag: This student-led initiative is driven by a passion to support mental health issues affecting our community. OAE students have partnered with the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre for an awareness campaign and fundraising initiatives.
We have also had students participate in a two-week international volunteer work placement in Naples, Italy supporting current NGOs (non-government organizations), helping local community incubator projects that focus on the creation of employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals in the community.
Gain advanced standing in other programs
The Office Administration-Executive Program can also be leveraged by those wanting to further enhance their education. For example, the core curriculum in the program can provide advanced standing to students interested in also obtaining a Law Clerk or other designations.
Explore many career options
Graduates of the Office Administration-Executive program find employment in a variety of employment sectors where businesses require clerical and computer support. This includes large publicly-funded institutes, from hospitals, schools, and government offices, to private-sector operations such as insurance, retail and construction companies. Students also take classes in accounting, personal finances, communications and general electives that can expand their knowledge and ability to perform at a high level in the workplace.