Waterfront Campus Blog

Top 5 Reasons to Study at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus

At some point, you may ask, “Why should I go to college?” Here are five reasons to study at our campus:

We prepare you for your future career – learn the skills to get the job: Research reveals 86% of college graduates secure employment within six months. College education continues to be an effective and swift route to employment. The provincial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) show that 85.5% of Algonquin College graduates found employment within six months of graduation. “Colleges are experts at helping people find rewarding careers,” said Linda Franklin, the president, and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “Our graduates’ professional and technical expertise will be even more important in the years ahead as new technology and automation create a heightened demand for a more highly qualified workforce.” There’s no question that having a post-secondary credential has become paramount to a person’s ability to progress in the workplace. Increasingly, employers are asking for a minimum of a college certificate or diploma as a starting point to be considered for a job posting. That reality is the primary factor that drives a person’s decision to enroll in a college program.
You’re not just a number – we get to know you: At the Pembroke Waterfront Campus, you’re not just a number – we get to know you, your name, and your goals – your opinion is valued. Our campus feels smaller and homier than others, and we are always here to help. Our Support Services team works together to support you based on interactions with you. The best way that we can support you to achieve success is through planning and collaboration within the College’s support services.
We offer one-of-a-kind programs – you won’t find anywhere else: We offer a number of truly one-of-a-kind programs, with a strong reputation across Canada and internationally. Our beautiful campus is surrounded by scenic countryside, forests, lakes, and rivers–the perfect location for some of the most exhilarating outdoor training programs on earth. Whether you are interested in building the action sports culture, learning how to preserve the present for the future, or looking to become an outdoor guide, we have the programs and certifications that will guide you toward your dream career! Learn more about our programs.
We’re generous – bursaries help pay your tuition: A bursary is a monetary award that is granted on the basis of financial need. Bursaries are different than scholarships. Scholarships are merit-based and are awarded for academic achievement. Bursaries are financial-need based awards that do not have to be repaid. We have over $250,000 available in bursaries money annually for our Pembroke Campus students. These generous gifts of money from our community members and local businesses are truly appreciated by the students and the College. It helps the college to fulfill its overarching goal of supporting students to be successful in their academic studies and to be career-ready when they graduate. Learn more about
Our small campus provides more opportunity to connect to your professors: Your professors are experts in their chosen field, so they can help you to succeed academically. Whether you need help to answer questions or clarify materials that are covered in class, you have the opportunity to get that extra one-on-one time at our campus. Professors also know people and have many connections, so when it comes time for you to secure a co-op, placement or even a job, they can reach out to companies who are looking for qualified individuals and speak with them on your behalf.

Join us and learn first-hand the advantages of studying at a smaller campus where we offer our students exceptional learning opportunities and a friendly, supportive environment.

HomeStay Helps International Students Feel at Home

Since 2004, Jennifer Austin and her family have hosted out of town college and high school students in their home. Now, she has become a champion for Algonquin College’s efforts to attract more international students to its Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Austin has signed on to host an international student for the Fall 2020 term because she says “Homestay is a meaningful experience that empowers students to succeed, and it helps you learn a new culture and meet a new friend for life.”

The College has partnered with Canadian Accommodation Services to establish a Homestay program in Pembroke that encourages families to open up their homes to international students. For Austin, it was an easy decision to participate in the program. Her family has hosted high school students from across Canada including the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and from as far away as New Zealand, normally for six months to full year stays. In all, the Austin family has provided a home for 15 students over the years.

“The most rewarding part of being a host family is the bonds that are formed. Each student creates a different bond with our family. It could be something special like inside family jokes or cherished memories of time spent together,” says Austin.

In recent years, the Pembroke Campus has been gradually attracting more international students. These students have come to the campus from several countries including India, China, the United States, Morocco, Ukraine, and Africa. The students study in many programs and have come to Canada because of our country’s excellent reputation for providing high-quality post-secondary training and also its openness to welcoming people from around the world.

“Diversity enriches everyday life. These students have traveled around the world on an adventure, and we get to be part of it,” says Austin who is now collaborating with the College to find other families who are interested in taking part in the Homestay program. As a supporter of the work the College is doing to promote cultural diversity, Austin speaks passionately about why she has stepped up to help the Pembroke Campus and has offered some simple advice to other families who are considering hosting an international student.

“Host with open arms and an open heart. Show your student a new perspective, a new culture and be ready to learn something new yourself,” says Austin who is excited to recruit more families. More information on the Homestay program is available on the campus website, including the application form.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

A New Car or a College Education?

What’s a better investment? Buying a new car or enrolling in a college program? The answer is very obvious, but too many families don’t hesitate to finance a vehicle, but they second guess the cost of post-secondary education.

Simply put, buying a car is a short term purchase while enrolling in post-secondary education is a life long investment in your future.

Society has been programmed to believe that higher education is expensive and out of reach for many families, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The recent transformation of the Ontario Student Assistance Program has made access to post-secondary training greater than it has ever been.

More grants are available for students with lower incomes, the threshold for family income eligibility for student loans has increased and the application process has been simplified. Moving forward, students will also have a much clearer picture of what their investment will need to be in their education, allowing families to have better information sooner to make their plans for college.

High School Student, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

The next time you see the sticker price of $25,000 or $30,000 on a new vehicle that is tempting you, just think how that money could be better spent on earning a post-secondary credential that will carry its value for the rest of your life. Going to college is often a life-changing experience for a student that propels them into a career with higher lifetime earnings, more employment opportunities, enhanced confidence, and eventually more disposable income for things like new cars.

The bottom line is a higher education credential doesn’t depreciate and if you commit to life-long learning, you’ll continue to open doors for yourself. The little black book is a certificate, diploma or degree that will maintain its value and never run out of gas.

Need more convincing, check out Algonquin College’s graduate placement report.

Algonquin College Alumnus Wins Silver Medal at World Deaflympics Championships

Sean Kyte was hoping for a better result. He had represented Canada at the World Deaf Hockey Championships in 2017 in Buffalo, New York and had felt the sting of losing in the gold medal game to the United States, but two years later he was confident his team could beat the Americans.

Johnny Kyte-Sean Kyte-Thomas Kyte-Deaf Olympics-2019 in Italy

L to R: Thomas Kyte, Johnny Kyte, Sean Kyte

Kyte, along with two of his cousins, Thomas and Johnny Kyte, had made the Canadian team that had travelled to Chiavenna, Italy to play against the best hearing impaired hockey players in the world at the Winter Deaflympics hockey tournament. To participate, players must have a minimum hearing loss of 55 decibels in the better of their two ears.

Through the round-robin, the Canadian team cruised to four consecutive wins, beating Russia 3-1, Finland 5-1, Kazakhstan 18-0 and the United States 4-1. The undefeated record, including the win against the Americans, gave the Canadians confidence they could prevail in the gold medal game. Unfortunately, that confidence was shattered as the Americans took command of the game early and won 7-3, meaning Kyte and his teammates would again have to settle for a silver medal.

“After losing to the U.S. two years ago, and losing again this year, it was really heartbreaking. It was a hard pill to swallow, but it was an unbelievable experience,” says Kyte.

Part of that experience was playing in an arena that offered a breathtaking open-air view of the Alps. The arena had seating on only one side, and while the playing surface was covered, the other side of the building faced the mountains and was wide open, providing a picturesque setting for the championship game that was played in front of a sold-out crowd.

Sean Kyte, Algonquin College grad, Pembroke

“It was stunning. Sitting on the bench, you could see the mountains across from you, which is something I will never forget,” says Kyte.

Players were not permitted to wear their hearing aids during games, so in addition to whistles, strobe lights were used to alert the players of a stoppage in play. The arena also had only one door on the player’s bench, making it more difficult to make line changes.

Hearing impairment is prevalent within the Kyte family. Sean’s father, Murray Kyte, also has hearing loss and won a bronze medal when he played in the tournament several years ago in Russia, while his Uncle Frayne Kyte won a gold medal in Switzerland. Sean’s Uncle, Jim Kyte, was the first deaf player in the National Hockey League, and through his 16-year professional career and following his retirement as an athlete, he continues to be a great advocate for deaf athletes.

Kyte is a double graduate of Algonquin College. He completed the Construction Techniques program (now Carpentry and Renovation Techniques) at the Pembroke Campus after graduating from high school, picking up some fundamental carpentry skills that have turned him into a “handyman,” for his family and friends. He then enrolled at Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia where he earned a Business Degree, but his educational journey at Algonquin College wasn’t over.

His passion for sports led him to enroll in the post-graduate Sports Business Management program at the Ottawa Campus. “I knew I wanted to work in a career that centred around sports,” says Kyte, who landed his first job with a start-up company called “Fan Saves.”

Fan Saves has developed a mobile sports application that helps companies promote their products and sell them to support local sports teams and organizations. The app gives users discounts and deals from brands affiliated with their favourite clubs and businesses, whether it be a local baseball team or a professional hockey club.

For Kyte, it has been exciting to be in at the ground level of the new company and watch it grow. With the title of business development executive, Kyte spends plenty of time on the road and making pitches to prospective clients. “It has been a blessing to be able to work within the sports industry while learning every day about the app world within business,” says Kyte.

To be able to play for Canada at the Deaflympics, Kyte required the support of his employer as he needed to be away from work to attend tryouts and training camp, plus travel to Italy to compete in the tournament. He was grateful to have had the opportunity to again play against the best deaf hockey players on the planet, but he is not satisfied with having two silver medals under his belt. He is still craving a gold medal.

In 2021, the World Deaf Hockey Championships will be played on Canadian soil in Vancouver, a city that has a golden hockey history, having hosted Sidney Crosby’s “golden goal” in the 2010 Winter Olympics. If Kyte can again make the team, he hopes Crosby’s game-winning overtime marker against the Americans will provide the inspiration for Canada’s deaf team to win it all. If that happens, it will truly be a golden moment for both him and his country.

Top 10 Survival Tips

We asked some former Pembroke Waterfront Campus, first-year students, what survival tips they thought you would benefit from…some insider info! Here are your Top 10 Survival Tips from fellow student:

Be proactive, surround yourself with positivity – be a star.
Love your program, get involved – don’t be a tourist.
Milk your instructors for their knowledge & expertise – know your learning style.
Go to class, do assigned homework – learn new study habits.
Stay clear of distractions, be focused – commit to a standard.
Know your budget – apply for bursaries.
Tap into available resources – talk to your coordinator or a support services staff member and visit the Students’ Association.
Plan ahead. Your agenda is your bible – use your resources.
Buy a watch, know the time and what you are doing next – be 5 minutes early.
Ask questions, be in the know – read your email daily.

Winter opportunities at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus

When considering attending college, most prospective students associate the start of the school year with the fall, but there are also opportunities to begin post-secondary studies in the winter. In fact, Algonquin College leads the Canadian college system in online student registrations, but for students who prefer more traditional face-to-face classroom training, here are some options available this winter at the Pembroke Campus.

Dawn Andrews, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Academic Upgrading offers opportunities for students who are considering enrolling in a full-time college program to pick up pre-requisites that will help them meet admissions requirements. These courses are normally free for Ontario residents and can really help a student prepare for the rigor of post-secondary studies. Some students may have the admission requirements, but they have been removed from formal education for several years, and a refresh of their English, math or science skills can really prepare them for a college program.

Many of the courses offered in Academic Upgrading are available on a continuous intake cycle, meaning students can join classes at any time. This is very convenient for learners and with the help of an academic advisor, the students can carve out a plan that sets them up for a successful college experience.

General Arts and Science, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus Some students have plans to study in a specific vocational program, but because the program doesn’t start until the fall they enroll in the General Arts and Science program. This can be a very smart move for many students as they can customize their timetable to pick up credits that can be applied to other college programs. This lessens the student’s workload when they enroll in future programs as they have exemptions. Students can also enroll as a part-time student, a tactic often used by junior hockey players who are under consideration for an athletic scholarship at a university.

Personal Support Worker, Algonquin College, Bonnechere Manor, Renfrew

Personal support workers (PSW) are in high demand and Algonquin College is again collaborating with the County of Renfrew to offer a PSW program, beginning in January at Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew. With jobs plentiful in the field, the extra offering will help employers throughout the County meet their labour market needs. Many of these health care organizations have expressed concern over their difficulty in hiring PSWs as there is currently a shortage of these frontline health care workers.

The College is also offering a pre-apprenticeship electrical program at its Pembroke Campus this winter. This six-month program provides students with an opportunity to complete level one of the electrical apprenticeship theory course and includes a paid workplace experience within the electrical field. Pre-apprenticeship programs are free to students but are highly competitive as they draw a significant number of applications.

Finally, high school students can get a head start on college by enrolling in a Dual Credit course. Each year Algonquin College offers several of these courses in the fall and winter terms. A Dual Credit is a college course that high school students can enroll in, and if successful, they can earn both a college and a high school credit. It is a great way for high school seniors to transition to post-secondary education.

More information on all of the options that are available to students this winter can be found on the college website at www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke or by visiting the Pembroke Campus and speaking to an admissions officer. It’s never too early or too late to be planning your educational journey.

The Sideline Master-Pre-Apprentice Graduate Leaves His Mark on the Football Field

Aiden Maher knew it was going to be a long day when he arrived at six o’clock in the morning on November 1^st at TD Place field. The Ottawa REDBLACKS were playing that evening and after a day of pelting rain and high winds, Maher understood the field would need a lot of work to get it ready for the team’s final home game of the season.

The 23-year old Petawawa native had moved to Ottawa five years earlier to secure consistent work as a carpenter, but when he saw an advertisement for a job with Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, he applied and landed a position helping to set up and tear down major events like concerts. He was working part-time in carpentry but thought the extra hours working in the entertainment business would help pay the bills.

After a few months on the job, Maher was asked, if he would be interested in helping the field preparation crew. He was curious about the work and once he started doing it, he really enjoyed it. He has now been doing it for five years as one of the organization’s leading Playing Surface Technicians, responsible for painting on both the TD Place field and the ice at the Ottawa Civic Centre.

“It’s a job that can be very demanding”, but Maher loves it. There is a lot of precision to the painting, whether it’s using a stencil to complete the Canadian Football League logo or it’s painting the numerals on the 110-yard long field. “There are some similarities in the carpentry work that I do in that you have to be really focussed to do the job well. Concentration is important,” says Maher.

After graduating from General Panet High School, Maher had enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship Construction Trades program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus in 2015. The program lasted six months and allowed Maher to complete level one of the theory portion of the carpenter apprentice training program. Students in the program also received a work placement experience, including a large group assignment to re-build Pembroke’s aging waterfront boardwalk.

“I enrolled because the program was free and I was always doing carpentry work when I was a kid. It was a great experience and got me started in my career,” says Maher. After finishing the program, Maher quickly found work in his trade, but when he was laid off from his job, he and his sister decided to move to the nation’s capital.

His first focus was on finding someone who would take him on as an apprentice so he could continue to hone his skills as a carpenter. It didn’t take long to find a small company that hired him on a part-time basis. That arrangement afforded him the opportunity to look for other work and that’s how he found himself on the sidelines of TD Place Field, keeping a watch on the playing surface.

On game nights, he blends in with the many other team officials who are watching from field level, standing near his alma mater, the Algonquin College Loggersports team. But, there is one thing that stands out. On this cold November night, it’s his jacket, covered in paint streaks, recognition of a hard day’s work.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Program Advisory Committees Play Critical Role at Colleges

Colleges are well known for the practical education that they offer students. It’s in their DNA to be integrated with the communities they serve and as a result, students who study at a college can expect to have work-integrated learning experiences as part of their program of study. What students don’t see is the effort that is made to build curriculum that is relevant and meets the expectations of employers so that graduates are well prepared for the workplace.

Advisory Commitee, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

A key part of the curriculum development process is gathering feedback from stakeholders. There is no group that is more important than a program advisory committee when it comes to taking the pulse of the industry. These committees are mandated for full-time college programs and are made up of individuals who have a vested interest in what is being taught in the classroom. They are often employers, entrepreneurs and organizational leaders who are in a position to hire graduates and because they come equipped with knowledge of the latest trends within their field, these subject matter experts are well-positioned to offer the college good advice.

Advisory committees normally meet two or three times a year. It is not an onerous commitment, but it is time well spent. Advisory committees are often involved in digging deeper into a program’s performance, reviewing critical data such as student retention and graduation rates, making recommendations on new courses or certifications that should be added to a program while also suggesting courses that should be discontinued, and offering feedback on partnerships that should be explored. Advisory committees can also play a major role in helping to promote programs, utilizing their connections within the community to share any changes to a program that will benefit businesses, such as adding co-operative education placements for students.

Committee members are very proud of the work that they do. The collaboration between these stakeholders and the college faculty and administration helps build a program’s reputation and can be very influential in decision making. Minutes from advisory committee meetings are shared with the Campus Dean and Vice President of Academic for the College, ensuring that committees are active and their recommendations are brought forward to the highest levels of the college.

Advisory committees are a key ingredient to the success of Ontario’s college system. They ensure that colleges are always in tune with industry needs, and that bodes well for the students who entrust colleges with preparing them for the workplace. They can rest assured that the organizations that will hire them when they graduate have been well consulted on the curriculum they have been taught.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger is the Acting Chair of Health and Community Studies at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus

MacLean’s Magazine Top Communities List Underscores Importance of Algonquin College in Pembroke

MacLean’s magazine recently released its annual report on the best communities in Canada to live in. 415 municipalities made the list, including three from Renfrew County. Petawawa placed number 120, Laurentian Valley came in at 279 and Pembroke landed at 318 on the list.

Considering there are more than 3,500 municipalities in Canada, these three local communities should be very proud of their standing in this national survey. MacLean’s uses a number of factors as part of its methodology to determine where communities land on the list. One of them is access to post-secondary education.

Given that Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus has been serving the Upper Ottawa Valley since the Ontario college system was founded in 1967, the results of the survey had me thinking about the impact the college had on the scoring.

To better address that question you need to look at how communities receive points in the review. MacLean’s compares communities by awarding 20 points for wealth and the overall health of a city or town’s economy. This category takes into consideration fluctuations in the employment rate, median household income and average household net worth.

Another 20 points is awarded for the affordability of living in the community. That section looks at house prices, rental costs, the value of primary real estate and the ratio of discretionary income compared to the average household income.

Eleven points focus on access to health care, the weather patterns in a region account for ten points and another ten points are awarded for the commute to work. Seven points are awarded for the safety of the community, primarily looking at crime rates and six points are given for the municipality’s demographics, the mix of age groups that support a vibrant community.

The final points come from culture and amenities. This is where having a nearby post-secondary school comes into play. While the value for culture is five points, the amenities section where colleges are found is only awarded 2.5 points.

In Pembroke’s case, I would argue that Algonquin College influences several of the factors in the survey including the overall health and wellness of the region, the housing and labour markets, and the region’s ability to retain youth in the community. For more than five decades the campus has been providing access to post-secondary education for hundreds of people who may not have pursued higher education had a college not been close by to their residence.

The college provides significant employment opportunities through its hiring of administrators, faculty and support staff and the graduates it produces support the local labour market. Think of the nurses who work in our local health care system, the forestry graduates who support one of the largest industries in the Ottawa Valley and the Early Childhood Educators who are vital to our elementary school system.

Finally, think about the pride and prestige that a college brings to our region. Having a post-secondary credential is essential in today’s competitive job market and any student who studies in an apprenticeship, college or university program is proud of their accomplishments. From a community branding and marketing perspective, having a college in a smaller centre is a competitive advantage when attracting new business or new residents.

By placing on the top 415 communities in Canada to live in, MacLean’s magazine has acknowledged that the Pembroke area is one of the greatest places in our country to live in. Algonquin College is a big part of the reason why this is so. The College has proven it’s a major influence on the region’s economic prosperity.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger is the Acting Chair of Health and Community Studies at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

5 Reasons to Get Back-2-Business

Angela Plummer, Business, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus Meet Angela Plummer, or Angi as she is affectionately called in the Community and Student Affairs Department here at the Pembroke Campus. Angi has been our Marketing and Event Planning Assistant since May as part of her paid co-op with the Business program. Angi has taken over the Waterfront Campus Blog to share a little bit about her AC journey.

“It was a quick decision. I guess some would call it split-second. However you choose to describe it, it altered my life dramatically.

I had been stressed for some time. At work, my supervisor made it her mission to ensure I could not climb the corporate ladder. At home, my daughter, while away at university, was going through some intense personal challenges that required me to re-tie those apron strings and take a leave of absence from work to assist her. During my attempts to help my daughter and put the pieces of her life back together, I did a lot of self-analyzing. I whittled my life’s decisions down to the basic dilemma I was currently facing. I was unhappy—with work and my limited future, with life as I was single and getting older. I could not control the misery my daughter was facing but I could definitely control mine. I needed to take control. I needed a change and I needed it now. So, I applied to college.

It was the second last week of August. School was about to start in just over two weeks. Once I discovered I qualified for financial assistance, I sent in my college application. I knew exactly the program I wanted and I knew precisely where I wanted to go….Business…at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

But Why?
Why Business? I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so business was a natural choice. Plus, the Business program at Algonquin’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus is condensed. Rather than have four semesters of classes, I would only need to commit to three. As a bonus, there is a paid co-op option over the summer.

Why Algonquin College in Pembroke? Have you seen the Campus? Where else could I literally be but a stone’s throw away from the historic Ottawa River every day? Not only is the campus surrounded by parks and natural beauty, but it is also a part of my hometown, my heritage. So, for me the choice was easy.

This Choice was Life-Altering
I admit I was intimidated attending college as a 43-year-old. My anxiety-riddled brain was prepared for an onslaught of millennials giving me weird looks, their probing eyes questioning my existence in their domain. Wow, what a waste of mental energy. My fears were completely unfounded. Not only was my presence never questioned (either subliminally or literally), I was not the only student well over the age of 25. In fact, in my program, one in five of my classmates were over 40!

With seven to eight courses per semester, it definitely took me a couple of weeks to get into the swing of things. Getting back into student-mode, after nearly 20 years, definitely took some adjusting. However, knowing I wasn’t alone, that my professors truly cared about my success eased my worries and helped me forge ahead. I kid you not, it was intense. Nonetheless, I persevered. Two semesters are behind me and my co-op is almost finished– I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. In just over five months it will be all over. I, for the first time in my life, will be a college grad!

5 Reasons Why

So, how exactly was this a life-altering decision? Well, when I graduate, I am going to have immense knowledge, real-life experience, and skills that I would not have otherwise. Truthfully, I cannot say enough about the Business Program. Why? Because:

Instructors include real-life accountants, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs—people who have ‘walked-the-walk’ so they can honestly ‘talk-the-talk’.
This past year, the Business Program launched the Ambassador Program—a partnership between Business students and merchants in downtown Pembroke. Student groups work closely with these business owners and develop marketing plans, social media posts, and campus showcase promotions, all using content learned during classes.
Co-op opportunities provide additional avenues to learn through hands-on learning during paid placements in a variety of business-oriented settings.
There is a strong community connection between The City of Pembroke and the College. The City is extremely supportive of the College and its endeavours. This type of relationship is relatively non-existent in larger cities.
Two words—Kim Drake. As program coordinator, mentor and instructor this powerhouse is very involved in her students’ studies. Approachable, intelligent, supportive and caring, Kim will work with you to help you navigate your way through the Business Program.

Mind Your Own Business
I truly believe everyone should take a business program. In every aspect of life, we are exposed to the world of business in one form or another. For example, think of ten items you see around you right now. Maybe you see clothes, a computer, a phone, a car, a mug. Someone had to design, manufacture, transport, and sell each item. When designing that item, someone had to see a need and have an idea, then draw it, discuss its uses, discover the best materials to use, etc. The people involved need a plan involving human resources, marketing, finances and more. Business isn’t just about physical creations either. Service providers such as dentists, utilities, and hair salons all function on business models as well. Having a background in business gives people a better understanding of how the world around them functions. This knowledge could inspire an entrepreneurial spirit and develop creative minds to strengthen our communities through innovation and initiative.

When you’re ready to mind your own (or someone else’s) business and see what the Business Program can do for you, check out Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. After all, it is their mission ‘to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success’.”

Angela graduated for the Business program in December 2019 and was hired immediately to work at Herb Shaw and Sons Limited in the Pembroke/Petawawa area as Receptionist/Accounts Payables. Angela shares, “I completely attribute my current career path to the Business program. Through the program, I strengthened my accounting skills, learned the Sage accounting software and expanded my Excel skills. All of these helped me secure my position at Shaw’s. In addition, knowledge from my courses in operations and supply chains enhanced my understanding of how my employer functions as well.

The Business program offered me the chance to gain the essential skills and knowledge I needed in a shorter amount of time than other similar college Business programs. Plus, it was in my home town which allowed me to stay home and be with my family.

While the world situation today may seem like business is a futile option, the truth is quite the opposite! This program is not necessarily just about “starting your own business”, though it is a great foundation if someone wishes to. When you think about it, the whole world runs on business. From the clothes you wear to the shampoo that you use, to the flowers you plant in your garden–business is a part of every single step. Think about the marketing, manufacturing, and shipping that help an idea become the product that gets into your hands—this program teaches it all! Fantastic program if you want to learn more. After all, business makes the world go ’round!”

Post by: Angela Plummer, former Business student & Marketing and Event Planning Co-op Assistant, Community and Student Affairs Department, Algonquin College, Pembroke and Business Grad.

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