They had the knowledge, and needed the skills and practical experience.
That’s the key finding of a report entitled, “College After University – A Growing Marketing Segment“, a study that examines why some university students chose to attend college after graduation. Statistics provided by Colleges Ontario, which look at Ontario’s public sector college system, indicate 12 per cent of college entrants in 2012-13 had university credentials, and that the number has been growing. So, a group of Algonquin College students decided to look into what was behind this trend.
And these weren’t just any students studying the issue – they have just a bit of first hand knowledge in the subject. The group studying this issue was made up of Algonquin College graduate students, each holding a university degree, who were enrolled in the Marketing Research and Business Intelligence (MRBI) graduate certificate program.
After surveying 1,200 current or interested Algonquin College students, here are some of the team’s key findings:
63 per cent of university graduates attending college said they were concerned with their job prospects, whereas 44 percent of college students were concerned
47 per cent of university graduates said employment opportunities had a bigger influence on their decision to apply to college, while 29 per cent of college students said the same
32 per cent of university graduates are looking for business-related fields to make the connection between their discipline-specific university knowledge and a workplace opportunity
50 per cent of students are looking for work experience from their time at college
Six Masonry—Heritage and Traditional students from the Algonquin College, Perth Campus cemented their training during a recent work-experience trip to Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site (NHS) at Churchill, MB. Accompanied by their program coordinator, Darrin MacDonald, the students spent two weeks (July 19-August 2) working alongside Parks Canada masons to repair the Cape Merry battery, a mid-1700s battery strategically overlooking the Prince of Wales Fort.
The Masonry program’s collaboration with Parks Canada began in 1991, when Parks Canada was invited to act in an advisory role for the program. In 2009, four Masonry students and an instructor also travelled to Prince of Wales Fort NHS to work on a wall-stabilization project, setting the wheels in motion for this year’s trip. MacDonald is enthusiastic about the opportunities for hands-on learning and mentorship that working with masons at Parks Canada offered his students.
“Parks Canada made our time at the Prince of Wales Fort NHS a rewarding experience. Their masons’ leadership and guidance was monumental for us,” MacDonald said. “I also have to commend the amazing work our team of Masonry students did on Cape Merry. It is so important to have a cohesive team working in such a remote area of the country.”
The students repointed (repaired and reapplied mortar) and stabilized the battery walls. As much as possible, they tried to use the same methods and tools as the site’s original masons would have used. There were a few nods to modern technology however, including the use of a helicopter to transport heavy equipment. While they worked, the Parks Canada masons generously shared their knowledge, taking the time to explain their processes and techniques in detail.
“I learned many things while working at Cape Merry,” said Michael Sobel, a student who was motivated to enroll in the Masonry program by his interest in historic buildings. “I learned the history of the site and its significance to Canadian history. I learned the techniques and procedures necessary for carrying out this type of project. I learned about the people of Churchill. I learned what working in this field of masonry is all about.”
“I decided to take part in this trip the minute I heard about it,” added fellow student Aaron Burke. “I love the North and an opportunity to go up there for a couple of weeks to work on something that is hundreds of years old really appealed to me…. Any extra experience that I can get is a bonus in my books. I am now much more confident at repointing. Before this, I had never worked on a masonry job site, and I have a better feel for it now.”
Now back in Perth, ON, Sobel and Burke are looking forward to their class’s final project before the program wraps up in August: repointing the Middleville Museum, which is housed in a 19th century schoolhouse in Middleville, ON. Like their classmates, these two students are both looking forward to a career with opportunities to travel to heritage locations and pursue their interest in conserving historic resources.
Brand new role, first-of-its-kind in Ontario higher education, will help Algonquin College maintain its leadership in digital technology and innovation among Ontario colleges.
(Ottawa, August 4, 2015) Algonquin College’s President believes Ottawa can become Canada’s entrepreneurship capital, and now that vision has its very own postsecondary champion.
Algonquin College announced its first ever Vice President of Digital Technologies and Innovation on Tuesday, a brand new position and the first of its kind within Ottawa postsecondaries and the Ontario college system.
Marc Fares has more than 17 years of experience in digital and corporate strategy, and has a long career of fostering innovation in the private sector. Fares will champion the culture of innovation at Algonquin College and in the broader Ottawa community.
“At Algonquin, we have done much to establish ourselves as the digital college,” says Cheryl Jensen, President of Algonquin College. “But we know that in order for us to continue to have that leading edge, we need to make smart investments in our digital future. I am confident that Marc will help inspire us to be as innovative as we can, and will help us build on our spirit of entrepreneurship.”
Fares joins Algonquin College following a successful career at Cossette Media, at Bell Canada, and at Air Canada, where he was part of the Corporate Strategy team that led the spin-off of Aeroplan as a separate company.
“As our College community moves forward and helps Ottawa become a leader in entrepreneurship and innovation, it is important to me that we have a voice leading the discussion,” says Jensen.
Fares holds his Master of Business Administration from McGill University, and has additional graduate certificates from McGill in tourism management and international business. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from Concordia University.
Fares’ first day on the job will be Monday, September 14, 2015.
Hear words of wisdom from President Jensen, valedictorian Emily Robinson, Tony Pollard, Dr. Robert Cushman, Harvey Glatt, Senator Vern White, and Shirley Westeinde! Watch the videos now!
We chatted with Graphic Design alum Jay Earle to learn more about his alternate version for the Sens 25th anniversary logo! Jay is Creative Director for Wolfworks Communications, a local marketing firm…and yes, he’s a Sens fan! You can see Jay’s version on the left, and the official Senators design on the right. Continue reading The story behind alumnus Jay Earle’s alternate Senators 25th anniversary logo
Olympic legend Ian Millar was profiled in the July edition of Faces Magazine Ottawa! Ian, a world-class equestrian known as “Captain Canada” is also an Algonquin College alumnus! Learn more about Ian here or pick up a copy of Faces Magazine’s July edition!
Learn more about this year’s recipient of the Dr. H.H.J. Nesbitt award, Kevin Brink of the Computer Engineering Technology – Computing Sciences program. Kevin was recently profiled in the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder.
The Dr. H.H.J. Nesbitt award is given at Convocation to the student at Algonquin College with the highest academic standing in a degree, diploma or certificate program.
Mental health initiatives in Lanark County, ON, received a boost on June 25, 2015, when Office Administration—Executive (OAE) students from the Algonquin College, Perth Campus presented a cheque for $1,712.75 to Lanark County Mental Health. The donation follows a Mental Health Awareness Luncheon that the OAE class held in April.
Over the years, Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet has taken on many different looks in various Lowe’s, Kobalt, Patriotic, and special paint schemes. Going into the 2015 season, Team 48 wanted to spice up the design of the 48 machine and enlisted the help of designer and Algonquin College graduate Brendan Droppo! Via the Lowe’s Racing blog.
