Issue #31 Vol. 35, September 8th, 2009
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News

Career Start program successful, looking to grow

By Shaylee Perez

Career Start gives practical experience and a lucrative position in their field of study to Douglas College students while they attend part-time

While currently only a pilot program with one year behind it, Career Start has yielded extremely positive results for at least one of the students who completed it.

Kathy Nowak successfully graduated from Douglas College with a Business Management diploma and has continued working in the Retail Management Training Program with Canadian Western Bank, one of two current sponsor companies in the Career Start program.

A companion to the co-op program and a practical extension of what one is learning in the classroom, the Career Start program provides a jump-start to both job experience and networking opportunities that every college graduate needs to develop their skills and expertise of their field. It also helps to provide means to earn the necessary funds to help one complete studies without the abrupt stop-start process of co-op education.

“It’s an enhancement [to what one is learning in the classroom]. It began for students who had done very well in their courses, and could only manage one or two courses at a time because they need to work to support themselves. It’s helping reduce [barriers to education] like tuition costs, and giving students money for living expenses, all the while helping them get to the end of their program,” explained Lianne Johnston, placement officer for the Office of Co-operative Education.

According to Hazel Postma, associate vice president, external relations, the partnerships have proven mutually beneficial, exemplified in Ron Baker, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of Canadian Western Bank’s response. When asked if he would hire a Business Management graduate such as Kathy Nowak again, Baker affirmed, “There is no doubt I would.”

“It’s another way to give students an opportunity to work while they go to school. As approximately 60 per cent of our students are part-time students, they don’t fit the criteria of co-op because you have to be a full-time student… So they thought of another way to include students who don’t fit co-op requirements, but can still gain the experience and at the end of the day are walking away with a diploma or degree, with the credentials of their education, plus, in Kathy’s case, she had a full-time position,” said Johnston.

While thus far Business and Commerce students have the jump on positions, as Canadian Western Bank and Scotiabank are the only two companies signed to the program at this point, students connected with Hospitality Management can take note that Johnston, and Dana Wakabayashi, co-operative education coordinator are set to meet with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, who already participate in the co-op program by hiring students into management programs geared as long-term positions within the company.

Any faculty head instructor may put the names of students who show professionalism, responsibility and commitment to their field forward for the program. Students may self-nominate as well.

Students are invited to look at their current jobs and speak to their companies about considering a partnership with Douglas College through the Career Start program.

“When it starts at the grassroots, it doesn’t have to be driven by senior management” as Johnston put it, and she invited students to contact them at wakabayd@duglas.bc.ca with information regarding possible new sponsor companies.