Students

Come on in – our doors are always open

Algonquin College Robert C. Gillett Student Commons

Winter semester is in session and the School of Business is bursting with eager new learners and seasoned returning students. It was nice to walk through the bustling campus yesterday and feel the energy coursing through the halls.

Truth be told that energy was a probably a mixture of excitement and fear. Algonquin staff, who are always Here 2 Help, were all on high alert yesterday and keeping an eye out for any students who seemed a bit lost. And getting lost on this campus is an easy thing to do! Trust me. Even though I went here many years ago, the College has changed so much and there are so many buildings. I don’t mind admitting that one of the first few times I was back on campus last year I could not for the life of me find the door that I came in.

I encountered a few students yesterday who needed a helpful point in the right direction and it reminded me of my first day here as a student. I did not know my way around at all and relied heavily on new classmates and friends to help me get my bearings. Now that I’m an employee of the College and I see that we have a true Open Door policy and so many opportunities for prospective students to come on campus, I kick myself for not having taken advantage of that.

If you are thinking about studying at Algonquin, I would highly encourage you to come for a visit and see what the school is all about. Here are your options:

Open House

Join us for an Open House on Saturday January 19. Come explore the campus, learn more about the programs, and chat with faculty and students. Pre-register for a chance to win prizes!

OPEN HOUSE
Saturday January 19
Robert C. Gillett Student Commons
(Building E)
Opening Sessions at 10:00 a.m. and Noon

Campus Tour

Did you know we have scheduled tours of the Woodroffe campus that run both during the week and on weekends? If you’d like to sign up for a general campus tour simply go to the Tour Calendar, select the slot that best fits with your schedule, and register! When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by one of our friendly and knowledgeable student ambassadors and taken on a complete tour of our facilities. You can also arrange a tour of our Perth or Pembroke campuses.

Faculty Tour

If you already know that you want to study in a specific School of faculty, for example the School of Business, we can arrange a one-on-one faculty tour. Simply 613-727-4723 and ask to speak to the Faculty Marketing Officer for your area of study to arrange a visit. This will give you the inside scoop on the area of the College where you’ll be completing your education.

Hope to see you on campus soon!

Laura Campbell
Faculty Marketing Officer, School of Business

 

 


Periods of Transition and Finding your Voice

To be heard. To be seen. To be connected to the world and people around us. Sounds simple… right? Whether you are finding your voice in the traditional context of singing or writing, or trying to find your voice as a member of the human race, the process is long and full of stumbling blocks. Take a moment and think about the transition you are making in life right now. Are you starting a new job? Starting college for the first-time or even preparing for Graduation? These periods of transition trigger questions of acceptance and belonging.

In fact every time you look at a situation it comes down to you. For it does not matter what shape the transition takes, if you do not know who you are, then you will always feel as if you do not belong. (Sarah Breathnach, Moving on: Creating Your House of Belonging with Simple Abundance) How do people then become masters of their voice? The answer will surprise you, reflection.

To Be Heard. Ever heard the phrase, shouting out into the void? I’ve seen many people who believe being heard means being loud. Sometimes the most closely followed and listened to people are those who speak with reflection and impact. Here is a tip to start being heard: pause for a moment before you make your next point. See the sentence in your mind’s eye and ask yourself, does this statement add value to the listener? Over time you will start to notice more people start asking your opinion and thoughts on topics. Stay focused and soon you’ll be noted as a go to person.

To Be Seen. “One of the deepest longings of the human soul is to be seen.” (John O Donohue) The idea of being seen is much more then everyone’s desire for their fifteen-minutes of fame. In fact – who actually remembers half the winners of most reality television shows anymore? Fame and popularity are not the same as visibility. To be seen is to be confident in one’s space. This part takes a lot of time and is not about receiving recognition. Here is a tip to start being seen: Start with a simple greeting: hi, hello, good morning etc. Greetings are a low risk way of letting those around you know that you are present and ready to engage. It is also common practice in our western culture to response with a phrase like, “Hi, how are you?” This gives you an opportunity to continue that conversation. With some consistency and time you will come to find that people say hi to you before you can say anything to them.

To Be Connected. By default we are connected by societal labels like the big four “Age, Race, Gender and Religion”. Take advantage of these natural groupings to begin finding like-minded people who can challenge and refine your voice. There is a second part to feeling connected and that is giving of oneself. While it is important to work on advancing your working career, you also need to advance your philanthropy. There is nothing that brings humans together more than the act of charity. Take a moment to reflect and find something you can give selflessly to a cause that supports your passion. Being connected in person and in passion creates synergy that amplifies the voice you have been nurturing.

Through reflection, time, and consistency you can bring the three components of finding a voice – To Be Heard. To Be Seen. To Be Connected. – to fruition and start to engage in the world around you in a whole new way. The next time you are in a moment of transition, how will you choose to use your voice?

Jeremy McQuigge
Professor, School of Business
Transfer Student Coordinator, Algonquin College

Exams… the Final Frontier

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Dave Donaldson, Dean of the School of Business and Kent MacDonald, President of Algonquin College

For the past week, students in the School of Business have lined up anxiously outside of classrooms, lecture halls and the gymnasium to begin 2 – 3 hours of exams on a wide variety of subjects. Writing exams can be a daunting and rewarding experience. Rewarding with that phenomenal rush after the exam as you huddle with classmates and begin to realize how your answers match theirs and that you did better than you expected.

Daunting if the reverse happens during the exam reviews. For some students, it can be even more more so than others. During my MBA studies, one of my classmates was brilliant … in his assignments, group work, case studies but froze during exams. He would sit looking at a blank exam booklet for the entire time and then leave the room, suddenly remembering all the answers. Back then, there were few options. He eventually withdrew from the program and ended his studies.

Things have certainly changed. The Counselling Department at Algonquin College provides workshops and guidance on preparing for exams and dealing with anxiety. The College has a sophisticated process where the Centre for Students with Disabilities, in close co-operation with faculty, provides options for students who need more time or a quieter environment. If my colleague from back then had been an Algonquin student, he would be one of our alumni now.

As the students complete their exams for this semester, and some complete their programs, the faculty begin the arduous task of marking the exams and tabulating final grades. For the next week, professors and staff will be working diligently to make sure grades are recorded in a timely fashion so that students can receive their final results.

Only once this is completed can faculty and staff begin to earn a well deserved break before the beginning of the new term on January 7.

Hopefully, all students did well during the exam period and thanks to their professors and the staff in the School of Business for all their hard work this semester. All deserve a happy and healthy (and relaxing) break. To all who celebrate this holiday season – Season’s Greetings, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël.

Dean Dave Donaldson
School of Business, Algonquin College