Counsellor ALBERTA SCHOOL
Spring 2016
Work Wild
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The forestry sector is reaching out to students
Handy Technology
Helping Kids Cope
Alberta students provide prostheses for children in need using 3D printing
Practical ways to lessen anxiety around parental job loss
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In this issue
Counsellor ALBERTA SCHOOL
Handy Technology Alberta students provide prostheses for children in need using 3D printing................................... 6
Helping Kids Cope Practical ways to lessen anxiety around parental job loss...................................................................8
Work Wild The forestry sector is reaching out to students......................................................................................... 9
Commit to Excellence Career Development Association of Alberta..............................................................................................13
Go Ahead - Pursue Your Passion Alberta Distance Learning Centre adapts to changing student needs..............................................15
f o c u s o n
Partnering Together Bow Valley College is growing to help your students rise.................................................................... 18
Bringing Students and Studies Together Achieving success for students and the community through collaborative degree......................20
Discover Concordia Concordia University of Edmonton is meeting the challenges and demands of the fast changing environment of 21st century learners............................................................................. 22
A Bright Future for Red Deer College...............................................................24 Reaching Your Goals in Business and in Life NorQuest College business admin program appeals to next-gen entrepreneurs.......................... 27
Student Partners Tutor Doctor provides one-to-one education, with tailored lessons and a focus on goal-setting, confidence building, and personal growth........................................................................29
Urban Heart A new era under construction at MacEwan University..........................................................................31
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INdex to Advertisers Adlc | Alberta Distance Learning Centre.............17
Edmonton Police Service Recruiting Centre.........3
Alberta Forest Products Association.........................5
Keyano College.......................................................IFC & 11
Bow Valley College.....................................................OBC
MacEwan University........................................................30
Canadian Mennonite University................................16
Norquest College.............................................................28
Career Development Association of Alberta.....14
Red Deer College..............................................................25
Concordia University College of Alberta.............23
Tutor Doctor.......................................................................29
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HAS A
LEARNING
WILD SIDE Bring the forest to your classroom.
ONE INDUSTRY. MANY BRANCHES. We’d like to plant the seeds for a fun, engaging and informative presentation on Alberta’s forest sector.
Who can benefit? • Grade 6, Trees and Forests Unit • Junior High, Outdoor Education, Science • High School, Biology, Career & Life Management, Outdoor Education
�� Book a presentation today! Ann Normand, Work Wild Program Manager E. anormand@albertaforestproducts.ca P. 780.392.0762
Forestry Facts | Science & Sustainability | Career Planning
Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
HANDY Technology
Alberta students provide prostheses for children in need using 3D printing By Colleen Biondi
T 6 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
anks to the creative and humanitarian genius h of a young Calgary businessman, a group of entrepreneurial high school students in the province are shaking up the classroom. Students in the INNOVATE program (a student-led, project-based, credit initiative associated with the Edmonton Public School Board) are making prosthetic hands for children in need using 3D technology.
It all started about six months ago when Colin Pischke, owner of Print Your Mind 3D, decided to shift his business focus from sales to promoting the technology as a way to make more than just desk ornaments and action figures. “Don’t get me wrong,” says the 26-year-old entrepreneur. “I have made plenty of business card holders and I am all about Star Wars.” But the University of Lethbridge graduate thought that there was much more potential for the technology. “You can change people’s lives. You can have a critical impact with this equipment.” After doing some online research, he discovered a U.S.based, global, non-profit agency called e-NABLE. This company provides “open source” designs to create prostheses using a 3D printer, so anyone, anywhere in the world can contribute. e-NABLE then delivers the final products to children in developing countries. Pischke was intrigued and called Aaron Dublenko, a colleague in Edmonton who coordinates the INNOVATE program, to discuss the possibility of engaging students in doing this work. Dublenko was hooked. He was already working with his students to make solar lanterns for devastated Haitian communities and “life straws” to filter drinking water. The notion of making prostheses for kids was a program fit; it was a perfect blend of non-traditional learning and giving back to the broader community. Thus was born a unique, three-way partnership which is now up and running. There are currently 10 students participating in the project and that number is growing by the day. The impact will be felt not only globally, but locally, as the team is now accepting calls from families whose children need prostheses right here in Alberta. One Calgary mother has been in touch regarding her son, who was born with minute, boneless fingers, and has been bullied by school mates. “She was overwhelmed with joy at the possibility that her son could be a recipient,” says Pischke. Making a prosthesis using 3D technology uses a process called “fused filament fabrication” which is both simple and complex. The simple part is the printing, which involves 15 hours of time. Plastic is laid down in layers, one on top of another, and heated at approximately 200 degrees C. Doing this creates the segments (fingers and the wrist section, for example) which will make up the prosthesis. Assembling those pieces - using nuts, bolts, Velcro and bits of foam – is the complex part and takes about five hours. The total cost is approximately $100, but there is no cost to recipients. Of course, a product like this does not compare with one costing $10,000 or more. e-NABLE’s product is plastic so can degrade, is basic in function and lacking in sophistication. But for a child who cannot afford a highend hand and who, for the first time, will be able to hold a baseball bat or ride a bike, it is, quite simply, a dream
come true. And these items are tailor-made for each child. Alberta youngsters are asking for special designs on their hands (personalized with their names, fashioned in neon colours or incorporated with super hero logos), while young people from third world nations prefer more subtlety such as fewer decoration and more natural colours. In an effort to raise awareness and money to move this project to the next level, Pischke is organizing a “handa-thon” which will bring together up to 50 students to assemble 30 hands this spring at a large public venue in Calgary. If the idea takes off, he envisions running others down the road. “If we can make 100 hands this year, I will be extremely ecstatic,” he says. But there are challenges, the biggest one being logistics. He is the point person for all communication, co-ordination, and planning regarding the prostheses project. And this is over and above his day job (sales), spending time with his long-term girlfriend, playing hockey, snowboarding and fly fishing on the Bow River. “I am working on the whole work/life balance thing,” he admits. But it is all worth it. The reward for Pischke is seeing youngsters get what they need to live their lives in the best possible way. As for Dublenko, who works with both high achievers and at-risk youth through INNOVATE and is constantly looking for ways to engage these unique learners and to promote imaginative thinking, the prosthesis project is absolutely doing the trick. “When I see the look in the students’ eyes - a look of encouragement and of hope for the community - it is a beautiful thing.” n Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 7
Helping kids cope
Practical ways to lessen anxiety around parental job loss By Melanie Franner
A
lberta’s economic downtown has taken its toll on all segments of society – not just the oil and gas industry. As a result, many people are continuing to find themselves out of a job – and the number keeps rising.
In January 2016, according to the Alberta Government, Alberta’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.4 per cent, up from the 4.6 per cent of a year earlier and up slightly from the previous month’s rate of seven per cent.
The after effects
important thing is either to reassure them is that the bad thing (e.g. losing their home) is not going to happen or if it may, that the parents have a plan on how to cope with it. “Be up front with the kids but give them the assurance that their parents have plans in place to deal with the situation and that they have faced challenges before, that they have overcome them and that they will do the same with this challenge,” he says. “If, for example, it means cutting back on some of the kids’ extra-curricular activities, then get the kids involved in deciding which one or two to keep. This will help reduce children’s stress by giving them some control in a situation in which so many elements of it are beyond their control. Adults should try to do as much as they can on their end to prevent worry and anxiety spilling over to the kids.”
As individuals struggle to adjust, so too must their children.
The signs
“Losing your job is definitely a significant stressor for both parents and their kids,” says Dr. Patrick Keelan, a registered psychologist with his own Calgary-based private practice. “For the parents, there are some practical considerations like concern about the future, concern about how to pay the bills, how to get back on track and find another job. There are also other issues like a drop in self-esteem. Your job is often a big part of your identity, the loss of which can lead to a break in routine and a lot of uncertainties. It could also mean a loss of your social support structure.”
One of the ways to assess children’s mental health is to keep an eye out for common signs of distress.
Keelan adds that there are issues for children as well. “There are a number of issues that could affect children as a result of a parent losing a job,” he says. “One of the key ones is worry and the anxiety resulting from that worry. Kids tend to focus on the bad things that can happen in their lives and they worry about not being able to cope with them when they do happen. Issues like having to move or not having enough to eat are a couple of examples.” So what can parents or counsellors do to help alleviate children’s concerns? According to Keelan, the most 8 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
“There are some general things to look for that involve changes in the status quo where things go from good to worse,” says Keelan. “For example, there may be changes in mood. The children might become more depressed, angrier or more irritable. There could be changes or a decline in academic performance. Kids can become more withdrawn socially or there could be changes in sleep or eating patterns. Adults need to stay on top of these symptoms for as long as the problem persists – and then some.” In the end, says Keelan, the adult is the one who needs to take the lead. “You need to be the rock, the leader,” he says. “Parents need to take care of their stressors in a positive way to help their kids deal with their own issues.” The good news is that there are a lot of options out there for just that – be it professional help, support groups, school counsellors or simply family and friends. n
Work Wild
The forestry sector offers exceptional career opportunities for active students who love the outdoors and have a passion for sustainability. With a large number of baby boomers retiring, skilled workers are in demand.
The forestry sector is reaching out to students
By Natalie Batkis | Photos courtesy of Alberta Forest Products Association Alberta’s forestry sector employs 15,000 Albertans directly, with over 30,000 jobs that are related to the field. Forestry is a sustainable business that takes its future seriously. Long-term forest management plans go up to 200 years in the future. Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 9
Ann Normand is the manager for Work Wild, a program under the Alberta Forest Products Association. Work Wild educates youth and job seekers on the diversity of career opportunities in forestry. Normand is part of a two-person team that travels across the province to educate students about the benefits of working in the province’s third largest resource sector and the importance of managing Alberta’s forests sustainably. With 60 per cent of Alberta covered in forest, finding a career close to home isn’t difficult. There are 70 forest communities in Alberta; these are towns and cities that employ people to work both in environmental management, as well as production, manufacturing products in sawmills, pulp mills, and other facilities. “We have 70 forest communities in Alberta and the majority of those are in the northern half of the province,” says Normand. “In southern Alberta, the communities that have forestry jobs are in the west.” Normand mentions two areas that are in particular need of skilled workers. If you have students who are mechanically inclined or have a passion for the environment, these may be their future dream jobs.
Millwright Millwrights are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing industrial machinery, as well as fabricating parts. Millwrights are similar to mechanics, but instead of working on vehicles, they work on stationary machinery. Forestry mills in Alberta are in need of these specialized tradespeople, but millwrights also find work in factories, power plants, and construction sites. On any given day, a millwright performs tasks such as reading diagrams and schematic drawings, operating rigging equipment and dollies, aligning and testing equipment, performing predictive and operational procedures and servicing, and repairing hydraulic and pneumatic systems. “It’s a great career for hands on people who are mechanically inclined and like solving problems,” says Normand. “The nice thing about the millwright trade is that there are a number of skills needed to do the work like welding and mechanics, for example. It is ideal for people who want variety in their work.” In order to become a millwright, a student must obtain a four-year journeyman certificate which includes both class time and apprenticeship time. On average, millwrights in Alberta make about $39 per hour. “There are technical institutions throughout the province that provide the certification. For millwrights, it’s about eight weeks of schooling at the institution per year over four
10 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
years. The remainder of each year is spent apprenticing,” she explains.
Forester/Forest Technologist Foresters and forest technologists manage all aspects of forests. Their job is to ensure a balance in resources, recreation, and wildlife in forests across the province. These forest professionals work for industry and government to ensure natural resources are being handled responsibly. Being a forester or forest technologist can be physically demanding; it is expected that these individuals be in good physical condition. Much of the work they do requires them to be outside in a variety of weather conditions. There is a lot of walking through thick vegetation, wetlands, and mountainous areas.
They do big picture management like creating maps and long-term plans for our forests,” she explains. “A forest technologist must go to college for two years. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) offers a Forest Technology diploma. The program is very hands on. Students spend several weeks out in the forest learning about the trees. When they graduate, they tend to spend much of their time conducting fieldwork.” The average starting salary for forestry graduates is around $60,000 annually.
Alberta Junior Forest Rangers There’s also an amazing opportunity for Alberta teens to get a taste of natural resource management before they even graduate high school. Since
APPRENTI CESHIP TR AININ G I N F O RT M C M U R R AY
“People who go into these careers tend to enjoy being outside. If you’re working as a forester or forest technologist, you are likely living in a community that is close to lakes, forests, and even mountains. Your nature playground is right there. That’s one of the perks,” adds Normand. To become a forester, candidates must obtain a four-year forest management degree, whereas the forest technology diploma is a two-year program. “A forester must complete a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management, offered at the University of Alberta and at other Canadian universities.
For information on how to get started, visit keyano.ca/apprenticeships
Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 11
1965, the Junior Forest Rangers (JFR) program has been preparing 16 to 18-year-old students for the diversity of work involved in managing our natural resources, particularly forests. “It’s great for youth who are thinking they might want to work in the outdoors, because they get exposed to various aspects of the sector,” says Normand. For eight weeks over the summer, 96 JFR members are placed on crews of eight working together on various projects related to forestry. Some of the work they do includes mopping up contained wildfires, thinning trees, controlling invasive plant species, setting mountain pine beetle traps, trail construction, campground construction, tree planting, and educating the public. “I talked to one student who said, after attending the JFR program, he wanted to become a forest technologist. He had met a technologist while he was working in the summer and it helped him make his decision,” explains Normand. “It’s a fantastic way to give students a taste of what it’s like to work out there and it helps them decide if it’s the career path they want to take.” In order to qualify for the JFR program, a student must be enrolled full-time in grade 10 or 11, or graduating from grade 12. They must also be interested in natural resource management and should be in good physical condition
12 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
– this isn’t easy work. Candidates must be willing to live away from home for eight weeks during the summer. Applications are available at www.albertajfr.ca and students have until April 1, 2016 to apply. Telephone interviews will be arranged to further screen applicants, with training beginning in early July at the Hinton Training Centre. The JFR wage is $11.50/hour. “We promote this Government of Alberta program because it’s a great way to get kids interested in forestry. The students spend their summer outside with other teenagers and they’re learning a tonne. It’s almost like summer camp
but you work hard and you get paid to be out there,” she says. These are just three of the many jobs in the forest sector. Work Wild delivers forestry career presentations to Science, Career and Life Management and Outdoor Education classes ranging from grade six to 12 across Alberta. The presentation typically runs 60-80 minutes and covers sustainable forest management and pathways to a variety of forest sector careers. To book a Work Wild presentation, contact Ann Normand at anormand@albertaforestproducts.ca. For more information about the Work Wild program, please visit www.workwild.ca. n
Commit to Excellence
By Paula Wischoff Yerama, CCDP, executive director, Career Development Association of Alberta
C
areer development is a profession with established standards and guidelines, specific education and training programs, several national organizations, associations in almost every province, and voluntary certification in several provinces. With multiple education and experience entry points not all individuals working in career development are connected with, or aware of, the standards and guidelines, education and training options, or professional associations available to them. A commitment to excellence begins with awareness. The Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners map out the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that practitioners need in order to deliver quality career development services to their clients. The skills, knowledge and attitudes common to all career development practitioners, regardless of their employment setting, are outlined in the standards and guideline’s core competencies which include professional behaviour, interpersonal competence, career development knowledge, and needs assessment and referral. Areas of specialization
allow individual practitioners and organizations to meet the diverse needs of the clients they serve and include assessment, facilitated and individual group learning, career counselling, information and resource management, work development, and community capacity building. Examples of attitudes, skills, and knowledge required by career development practitioners include: • Being insightful, honest, openminded, and results-oriented • Documenting client interactions and progress; respecting and accommodating diversity; collecting, analyzing and using information; and conveying information clearly when speaking and writing • Possessing knowledge of career development models and theories; the change process, transition stages, and career cycles; components of the career planning process; and the major organizations and resources for career development and community services People working in career development practice need to also be guided by a code of ethical behaviour. A free online tool called Taking Charge is available to individuals and organizations who are interested in
assessing their alignment with the standards and guidelines, identifying existing competencies, and focusing on areas requiring further development. The Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners and Taking Charge are accessible through the Canadian Council for Career Development website at http:// career-dev-guidelines.org/career_dev/ index.php/the-standards-guidelines. Voluntary certification for Career Development Practitioners is available to those practitioners who meet the specified criteria in five provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. The criteria for certification and recertification / certification renewal varies from province to province but is grounded, consistently, in the Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners. Professional development opportunities including conferences are created with the standards and guidelines in mind. The Career Development Association of Alberta’s third annual Alberta Career Development Conference (ACDC) is sure to reinforce your commitment to excellence and to provide you with the tools and resources you need to enhance your practice. Join your colleagues and industry leaders at the Coast Plaza Hotel Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 13
& Conference Centre, Calgary, Alberta on April 26 and 27, 2016. This year’s conference features: • One national and one local keynote presenter, both recognized and respected experts in their fields, who will be sharing strategies for committing to excellence both personally and professionally • 300 delegates, presenters, and exhibitors • 42 concurrent sessions focused on current and relevant information about innovative career development practices, workplace health and wellness, career development trends, service and resource advancements, labour market trends and issues, and human resources trends and considerations • 20 exhibitor booths with opportunities to connect over both days of the conference
ACDCpostcard_front2016.pdf
1/4/16
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CMY
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• K E YN OT E S P EA K ER S • CO NC UR RE NT S ES S I ONS •
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Keynote Speakers
Energized for Excellence with Health and Productivity Expert
Michelle Cederberg, MKin, BA Psyc (April 26, 2016)
“Commit to Excellence” by presenting, exhibiting, or attending ACDC 2016.
Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27, 2016 Coast Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre Calgary, Alberta Information and registration at www.careerdevelopment.ab.ca
EXHIBITOR FAIR • NETWORKING • CONNECTING • CELEBRATING
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• Day one and two recap sessions with door prize draws • CDAA AGM and awards ceremony Commit to excellence with keynote speakers Michelle Cederberg (April 26) and Kris Magnusson (April 27) and continue your professional development with over 20 session options each day of the conference. Event registration is now open on the CDAA website (www. careerdevelopment.ab.ca). The CDAA has been providing current and consistent professional development opportunities to the career development community; connecting practitioners with industry resources, information, and best practices; and demonstrating commitment to the profession through its involvement with provincial and
6:18:43 PM
EXHIBITOR FAIR • NETWORKING • CONNECTING • CELEBRATING
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during registration, coffee breaks, and lunch breaks
14 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
The Accountability Challenge in Career Services: A Subversive Approach with
Kris Magnusson, Ph.D. (April 27, 2016)
national initiatives since 1997. There are multiple membership options that will keep you current, connected, and committed to your profession. Consider joining the association as a student, associate, pre-certified associate, enior associate, certified, group, or organizational member. To learn more about the CDAA, benefits of membership, or the third annual Alberta Career Development Conference please visit www. careerdevelopment.ab.ca or call 780-577-1466. You can also “like” us on Facebook, “follow” us on Twitter, and “join” us on LinkedIn. We look forward to meeting you at the end of April in Calgary for ACDC 2016. n
Alberta Distance Learning Centre // FOCUS ON
Go Ahead – Pursue Your Passion Alberta Distance Learning Centre adapts to changing student needs
H
ow wonderful it is when we find that “thing” we’re passionate about - that thing that inspires us to learn everything we can about it, motivates us to push through the pain, and put in the practice that’s required to master new skills. That thing that demands our full presence and shuts the rest of the world out when we’re doing it and drives us to distraction when we’re not. You know, that thing you just can’t live without.
For Brandon Baddock, that thing is hockey. For Julia Casorso, it’s dance. For Barb, it’s digital design and video production. For Alberta Distance Learning Centre (ADLC), it’s success for every student - not only in education, but also in life. That’s why ADLC works so hard to provide students with flexible, customizable options that allow them to both pursue
FOCUS ON // Alberta Distance Learning Centre their passions and receive a firstrate education at the same time. When Baddock was drafted in 2014 by the New Jersey Devils, it was an important stepping-stone in his career. Still, he recognized the value of a solid education, and wasn’t about to let that go. So he reached for ADLC. “I took ADLC courses because, with the heavy schedule of the WHL, we’re always on the road,” says Baddock, a former left winger with the Edmonton Oil Kings. “[ADLC] gave me great flexibility to complete my courses. The curriculum is exactly what you would take in the classroom, if not more. I don’t think I would have been able to graduate on time without ADLC. It really helped me get all my credits.” Like Baddock, Julia Casorso - now a student at the University of Calgary was determined to not let her passion get in the way of her education; but she also didn’t want to let her education get in the way of her passion. When she began junior high, Casorso was Ideas Live in Community... Discover CMU
Arts • Science • Business • Music
Find your place CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY
cmu.ca
16 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
a competitive dancer who had just begun to add acting to her repertoire. This meant juggling a traditional school schedule with 20 hours a week in the dance studio while still trying to make it to auditions on time. It was all a bit much and was beginning to wear on her. So Casorso switched from traditional school to distance learning with ADLC. Her mother says the supportive connection that quickly developed between Casorso and her teachers at ADLC allowed her daughter to take advantage of opportunities that wouldn’t have been open to her otherwise. “[She] appeared in a Sesame Street-type series that taught English to school kids all around Asia,” says Casorso’s mother. “We’d be there at least twice a year for three to four weeks at a time. There would be no way to do this if [she had been] in a regular school.” For Barb, an adult learner, pursuing her passion meant making a career change. Barb had been working for years as a massage therapist when she inadvertently fell in love with digital design and video production. Barb knew that to make that leap successfully, however, she was going to need some help. She knew she needed to upgrade her high school math to meet the requirements for the post-secondary program of her choice, but she wasn’t quite sure where to start. Thanks to an ADLC placement exam, she was soon registered in the correct level of math. She also, with the help of ADLC staff and teachers, found a flexible option that allowed her to work on her courses between clients and access help in the evenings. For some of us, education is our passion (or one of them; it’s not like there’s only passion per person allowed). In this case, the advantages of ADLC are obvious. For students, ADLC offers over 200 courses - from gaming-based simulator courses to Fashion Illustration to Experimental Psychology and everything in between, including core courses. These courses may be delivered by ADLC professional teachers in one-on-one relationships with
students, or by teachers in traditional schools, in which case ADLC provides educational liaisons to help teachers identify, access, and customize the resources that work best for their particular classrooms. Opportunities for professional development also abound. Far too often, we feel pushed into making a choice between following our dreams or completing our education because we’re convinced that one would suffer at the hands of the other. ADLC Assistant Superintendent Cam Oulton knows this isn’t true, just based on the evidence he sees everyday all around him. Baddock, Casorso, and Barb’s stories are, after all, just three of thousands of ADLC student success stories. “ADLC has been serving the education needs of Albertans for over 90 years,” says Oulton. “Our team’s willingness to adapt to changing student needs and interests is one of the reasons ADLC is still a leading partner in the education of Albertans today.” To find out how ADLC can pave the way for you to pursue your passion, visit adlc.ca or call 1-866-774-5333. n
Giving students the options they need. Helping teachers with curriculum resources.
www.adlc.ca 1-866-774-5333
Alberta Distance Learning Centre
Alberta’s choice since 1923
FOCUS ON // Bow Valley College
Partnering Together Bow Valley College is growing to help your students rise
B
ow Valley College and Alberta school counsellors have something very important in common – students. Everything both do is to help student succeed. And there are a lot of new things going on at Bow Valley College that they are going to love. So take a moment to discover some of the exciting new changes that will help your students rise.
New school: community studies and creative technologies What will Alberta look like 20, 30, or even 50 years from today? It’s a question always asked at Bow Valley College, and one of the answers is in the form of a new school that launched in the fall 2015 – The School of Community Studies and Creative Technologies. It’s a school that will help Alberta diversify to meet the challenges of the future. It was created by separating The School of Health, Justice, and Human Services into two schools; the School of Health and Wellness, and the School of Community Studies and Creative Technologies. The School of Health and Wellness will continue to focus on Bow Valley’s thriving health programs. The new School of Community Studies and Creative Technologies will consolidate programs in justice and human services and will add new clusters of programs in the fields of information, communication, and design technologies. 18 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
Bow Valley College // FOCUS ON New online Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) education certificate FASD presents unique challenges for individuals, their families, and society. By learning how to help those with FASD, students will become a vital part of health care and education organizations. The focus on treating FASD is growing, as is the demand for those with the knowledge to treat it. This is the only program offered at this level in Canada, uniquely preparing students to assume responsible roles in the fields of health care and education.
New social work diploma Bow Valley College has a long history of providing strong human services programs, and are proud to add social work to the roster. This diploma will prepare your students to help individuals, families, and communities, while addressing broader social issues such as poverty, homelessness, addiction, unemployment, and domestic violence. This two-year social work diploma program provides a comprehensive preparation for a career in social work and incorporates a unique multicultural focus.
New diplomas in justice studies The popular justice studies program expands with the addition of two new diplomas. Justice studies, Aboriginal focus, provides extensive justice training, as well as specific skills to work with organizations diverting Aboriginal youths from offending, helping Aboriginal offenders while they are in the criminal justice system, and working with Aboriginal offenders who are in rehabilitation post-offence. This justice studies, general diploma program provides a solid foundation in Canadian justice, preparing your students for an exciting career. Learners will have the benefit of choice and customization of the courses required for their diploma, choosing from courses
spanning law enforcement, youth justice, and correctional studies.
New online disability studies program Of all the roles in the health care profession, this is one of the most rewarding. Your students can make a real difference for people who need it most. They will learn how to enhance the quality of life and well being of people with disabilities, while taking an active role in creating inclusive and diverse communities. This popular program launched in 2013, and Bow Valley is now making it available as an online program.
Ninety three per cent of grads working within six months Bow Valley College graduates learn the practical skills needed for that first day on the job, as well as the soft skills needed for an entire lifetime of achievement. The college offers a supportive and nurturing environment where learners triumph, by offering flexible program delivery and by helping them overcome any barriers. In their 50-year history Bow Valley College helped over 350,000 people triumph, and they can help your students triumph, too. Visit bowvalleycollege.ca.n Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 19
FOCUS ON // Keyano College
Bringing Students and Studies Together Achieving success for students and the community through collaborative degree Photos courtesy of Sean McLennan/Keyano College
20 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
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or 50 years Keyano College has been providing the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo with accessible
and affordable post-secondary education. When it first opened its doors in 1965 there were a total of 84 registered students by the end of the first year and over 150 on a waiting list. Back then, the focus was on trades that would help support industry, and classes were held in ATCO trailers. Fast-forward 50 years and you have a thriving community of over 100,000 with education needs that span industries and disciplines. Because of the proximity to the oil sands, trades programming at Keyano has been well established for many years but in the 1990s a need for additional academic programming resulted in the very first collaborative degree – the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Keyano College // FOCUS ON
This collaborative degree between Keyano College and the University of Alberta (U of A) allows students to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing from U of A without leaving Fort McMurray. Students spend their days on the Clearwater Campus learning from experienced Keyano instructors and after four years graduate as RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alberta. The success of the first collaborative degree led to a Bachelor of Education with the University of Alberta being added. This provided students with the opportunity to become teachers within the province of Alberta while remaining in their hometown of Fort McMurray to study and receive their degree. These two collaborative degrees have been hugely successful over the years and provide the community with trained professionals that are in high demand. Students benefit from the programs because they receive their university education but with the advantage of small class sizes and individualized attention. Students also save money because they do not need to move away for university. In September 2015, Keyano began the first intake of Bachelor of Business Administration with the official launch in October 2015. This collaboration with NAIT’s J.R. Shaw School of Business allows Keyano students to finish their two-year Business Administration diploma with Keyano and immediately apply to enter year three of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program. Using this model, Keyano has worked with Mount Royal University to develop and launch a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science that will see its first intake in September 2016. Students who complete their two-year Environmental Technology diploma through Keyano have the pre-requisites to apply to enter year three of the degree program being offered at Keyano. Collaborative degrees have provided Fort McMurray and the surrounding communities with the opportunity to receive education that they may not otherwise be able to access or afford. Based on the success of the college since it’s opening in 1965, there is no telling what advances we will see in the next 50 years. But, one thing is for certain – Keyano’s commitment to students, education, and the communities they serve will continue to grow. n Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 21
FOCUS ON Concordia University of Edmonton
Discover Concordia University of Edmonton is meeting the challenges and demands of the fastchanging environment of 21st century learners Concordia University of Edmonton has played an important role in Alberta’s educational history since 1921. In 1987, Concordia began awarding degrees in the arts and sciences. Today, Concordia’s undergraduate (Bachelor) degree offerings include over 45 majors and minors in the fields of Arts, Science, and Management. They also offer two after-degree programs in Education and Environmental Health, and three masters degrees. These degrees may be augmented through several graduate certificates and diplomas which are offered by Concordia in highdemand areas: Information Systems, Public Health, and Psychology. The university’s Highlands campus is an intimate community tucked away in a residential area overlooking the beautiful North Saskatchewan River Valley. Only minutes from downtown Edmonton by public or private transportation, it is the best of both worlds: a peaceful locale within easy reach of the countless amenities of the city centre. With 1,800 students on campus, there is much to be excited about student life. The Concordia Students’ Association has partnered with the Alberta Campus Mental Health Initiative to promote mental health and wellbeing, address the stigma around mental health, connect students with mental health resources, and much more. With clubs ranging from Model United Nations to Pre-Optometry Club to Dance Club to The Bolt student newspaper, there are many ways to get involved in the community at Concordia. New students also have much to look forward to as we make every effort to
22 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
Concordia
FOCUS ON Concordia University of Edmonton
ease the transition from high school into post-secondary. The Freshman Challenge and CUE Up for U are just two of the opportunities to consider. The Freshman Challenge runs over the duration of the fall semester, providing new students the opportunity to find support, participate in campus events and meet new people. CUE Up for U provides access to staff resources on campus prior to the semester beginning: Registration, Student Experience, Financial Advisors, Personal and Career Counsellors, Librarians, Academic Strategists, IT, and members of the Concordia Student Association. Concordia’s international reputation is steadily growing. With over 30 connections to universities around the world, students at Concordia have the opportunity to travel and learn through the Study Abroad program. Whether you want to study in Tuscany, Italy, or the sunny beaches of Barbados, there is something for everyone. Concordia’s mission is to prepare students to be “independent thinkers, ethical leaders, reflective servants in their occupations, and citizens for the common good.” Students who graduate from Concordia enter the workforce with a highly-valued academic program having had unique opportunities to participate in the student life on campus. It is that very blend of experiences that produces that quality of students we graduate. Concordia is still growing, and is continually meeting the challenges and demands of the fast-changing environment that 21st century learners are exposed to today. It is the university’s desire to continue meeting these challenges and demands head on in order to produce resilient and positive contributors to society. Students wishing to view campus are encouraged to contact a Student Recruitment Advisor. From campus tours to student for a day to advising appointments, there are many ways in which to discover Concordia, Edmonton’s university. n
EXPLORE
CONCORDIA
Concordia offers 3 and 4 year undergraduate programs in Arts, Science and Management; After Degree programs in Environmental Health and Education.
Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 23
FOCUS ON // Red Deer College
A Bright Future for Red Deer College
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or more than 50 years, Red Deer College has been known for its homeaway-from-home atmosphere, small class sizes, and practical learning that prepares graduates for successful lives and careers. Instructors are committed to helping students succeed. Students are provided with hands-on learning, not just in the classroom, but through real-world opportunities such as practicums and applied research.
Technology program will challenge students to think critically to plan and troubleshoot situations, as well as to communicate effectively to any audience. Students will also learn how instrumentation engineering and associated technologies are rapidly changing and expanding in virtually every industrial and commercial sector.
Starting September 2016, Red Deer College is excited to offer two new diploma programs (pending government approval): Media Studies and Professional Communications, and Instrumentation Engineering Technology.
Red Deer College is also working to expand relevant program offerings to students and the communities the college serves by pursing Polytechnic University status. Polytechnic Universities are comprehensive institutions offering professional, career-focused programs, including degrees, in the arts, business, social and related behavioural sciences, health and wellness, engineering, education, and trades and technology.
In the Media Studies and Professional Communications program, students will study how mass media such as television, advertising, and even video games influence and are influenced by society. Students will also gain valuable knowledge to help them succeed in a variety of careers that require top-notch strategic communication skills. The Instrumentation Engineering
A Polytechnic University engages students in active, applied learning, and research essential to the future of society, business, and industry. With this change in status, Red Deer College would: meet community demand; have the ability to grant our own degrees; improve opportunities so students no longer need to leave our region to complete their postsecondary education; and maintain its current strength of
24 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
Red Deer College’s vision has always been bold. We attract learners who are going places in their lives and careers. We support central Alberta businesses as they grow opportunities to innovate at home and abroad. And with more than 100,000 visitors attending RDC each year, we’re proud to be a community hub, contributing to the social, economic and cultural well-being of our region.
Explore Now www.rdc.ab.ca | 403.342.3400 | 1.888.732.4630 Degrees | Diplomas | Certificates | Trades & Technology Training | Continuing Education
FOCUS ON // Red Deer College
Starting September 2016, Red Deer College is excited to offer two new diploma programs (pending government approval): Media Studies and Professional Communications, and Instrumentation Engineering Technology. offering a comprehensive mix of programs. Essentially, Red Deer College would continuing offering the same quality education, with the addition of granting their own degrees. With a construction completion date in time to be a host venue for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, the Gary W. Harris Centre for Health, Wellness and Sport will provide the college and region with a venue that provides additional teaching and learning spaces, as well as facilities for other athletic, recreational, and community activities. The centre will help to shape the future of the college, offering new spaces to increase and enhance programming, and position Red Deer College to continue expanding their role in contributing to the prosperity and vibrancy of the region. With more than 100 different programs offered, Red Deer
College knows how vital studying is; but, they also recognize the importance of having a balanced student life. Students can spend time with friends cheering on the championshipwinning athletics teams. Other extra-curricular activities are plentiful. This includes enjoying a night away from books watching fellow students showcase their talent in a variety of theatre or music performances, relaxing with friends in residence, or participating in a variety of activities organized throughout the year by the campus recreation team. The future of Red Deer College is bright and with continued growth Red Deer College will maintain its legacy of offering a unique and genuine experience for our students and the communities they serve. Visit their website at www. rdc.ab.ca to find out more about Red Deer College or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. n
NorQuest College // FOCUS ON
Reaching Your Goals in Business and in Life
NorQuest College business admin program appeals to next-gen entrepreneurs
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riter Louis Efron said it best in his December 2015 Forbes magazine article entitled, “Why Millennials Don’t Want to Work for You.” Simply put, “Millennials don’t want jobs, they want lives,” wrote Efron. It’s a sentiment echoed by NorQuest College business administration graduate Ben Ancheta. The 26 year old who is now using his NorQuest diploma as two years of credit towards a Bachelor of Applied Business degree at NAIT, chose to study business because he shares a generational shift in work/life outlook with many people in his age group. “I want to be financially comfortable with my own business,” he says. “I want to be my own boss and I want the freedom that will bring. What’s the point of working for a company hoping for growth when I can work for myself and create that growth?”
Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 27
FOCUS ON // NorQuest College That is the million dollar question. And at NorQuest, the mission of the college’s exemplary faculty is to help students achieve their goals. NorQuest instructors view their students as partners in education. This allows a closer instructor/student relationship that is enhanced by engaging and innovative programming – programming that matches the skills learners need to reach their goals in education and in life.
Ancheta calls it his four 25s: 25 per cent work, 25 per cent family, 25 per cent learning, and 25 per cent play. “It is true about millennials,” he says. “We do have expectations about work/life balance. So that’s why I feel education is so important. And from my education at NorQuest, I gained a perspective in finance, in accounting, in marketing, business law, and how everything is integrated – working together.”
When Ancheta was ready to return to school in 2012 after a sevenyear absence from the classroom, NorQuest offered him the best opportunity to learn about his own capabilities. And he was able to do so in an atmosphere that was conducive to his learning style. “The small classrooms were great. Everyone got to know each other Students at NorQuest are more connected compared to other schools where there are 300 students and a teacher. And being connected helps with certain fears – fears like public speaking. That is a huge aspect to owning a business – being able to speak to people. And being in a smaller class makes it feel like you are just talking to friends. You can have fun with it and be yourself.” He is also appreciative of NorQuest’s affordability and accessibility. “You can’t complain about the tuition fees and expenses, and the location is great. Downtown is in the middle of everywhere: there’s busses, there’s LRT… I wouldn’t take back my time at NorQuest. I enjoyed myself, I met good people, I had a good education, and it took me a step forward to reaching my dream.”
For 50 years, NorQuest has provided workforce relevant programming that engages students from different educational backgrounds and helps build skills and credentials that lead to a higher quality of life. We prepare learners for careers in health, community studies, and business, and our foundational programs include academic upgrading, English language training, adult literacy, and employment readiness.
New programming for 2016 NorQuest’s business admin program will have new features in 2016.
Learn more 780.644.6000 norquest.ca
Willy, current Academic Upgrading student, with his son
28 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
The highlights include three specializations instead of two (accounting, management, and HR training); year two will now be more project-based as compared to the typical lecture-based programming. Students can start in September or January. For more information on NorQuest College programs and courses visit www.norquest.ca and follow them on Twitter @norquest. n
Tutor Doctor // FOCUS ON
Student Partners Tutor Doctor provides one-to-one education, with tailored lessons and a focus on goal-setting, confidence building, and personal growth
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ducation excellence - it’s something every student (and parent) wants. Many students perform quite well in school, as they take to classroom-based learning, and are able to focus, even when a teacher's attention is divided amongst a diverse group of learners. For some, however, individual attention is required to help students access their full potential - attention that can be impossible to give in a classroom setting. That's where Tutor Doctor can help. We aren't "just another tutor." Tutor Doctor provides oneto-one education, with lessons tailored to our students'
abilities, and a focus on goal-setting, confidence building, and personal growth. Most importantly, our tutors come right to the home of our students. This allows them to be more comfortable with their education, and provides an alternative learning venue to the classroom, where some students can struggle. Tutor Doctor offers a private chance for students to receive academic support and homework help, fostering self-confidence in students who may have become frustrated with academic struggles in the classroom. It is our core belief that everyone can learn - it simply requires the right kind of support, which we take pride in providing.
• Convenient, Comfortable One-to-One Tutoring at Home • Expert, Qualified, Well-Matched Tutors • Tailor-Made Program for Every Student • Innovative Academic Game Plan to help them stay focused and reach goals
Our Process:
CALL 1-888-718-8832 www.tutordoctor.com Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 29
FOCUS ON // Tutor Doctor Even for students who are not struggling, Tutor Doctor proves incredibly valuable. For high-achieving students, consistent academic performance can become highly stressful. Whether it's simply the pressure of high grades or balancing multiple extra-curricular activities with school work, some students can quickly become overwhelmed. This is something we have sought to ease with our X-Skills program.
ligence that makes school difficult, but rather organization and planning skills that have not yet been developed. Tutor Doctor will provide students with the tools they need to build the foundation for their future success, and our X-Skills program effectively accomplishes this by teaching transferrable skills for every aspect of their lives.
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It is our core belief that everyone can learn - it simply requires the right kind of support, which we take pride in providing.�
Education is about more than simply getting good grades in school. At Tutor Doctor we take a holistic approach to learning that involves developing practical skills that can be applied in every area of our students' lives. With X-Skills, we assist students with organizing and prioritizing their tasks (both academic and extracurricular) to most efficiently schedule their days, maximizing productivity while maintaining a work/life balance.
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We don't simply want our students to just "do their homework." For many children, it's not a matter of intel-
30 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016
Of course, Tutor Doctor wouldn't be what it is without our tutors. We hire only passionate educators who are skilled in their field of study. During our initial meeting with families, we complete an assessment of the student. This is used to match them with a tutor who is perfectly tailored to their needs and can most effectively help them achieve their goals.
For students looking for academic support outside of regular school, Tutor Doctor is an effective solution. Our mission is to empower every student to achieve their goals. From our one-toone, in-home attention, to our X-Skills program, to our perfectly tailored tutors, we're committed to being our students' partners - not only in education, but in life. n
MacEwan University // FOCUS ON
Urban Heart A new era under construction at MacEwan University
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n late 2014, construction crews broke ground on an exciting chapter in MacEwan University's evolution.
The space that was once a gravel parking lot has, after 15 months of replacing dirt with bricks and mortar, become a stunning five-storey building. In just over a year, students, faculty and staff from the university's Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications (FFAC) will join the university’s City Centre Campus. The new building will be a hub for arts and culture for the university and downtown Edmonton. Its 40,000 square metres (approximately 430,000 square feet) of classrooms, labs, galleries, theatres, and public spaces will be home to generations of aspiring actors, musicians, technicians, designers, creators, and managers. Slated to open in September 2017, the building - dubbed the Centre for the Arts and Culture - will figure prominently in the future of many of the students currently studying at the university. Students now in the first and second
years of several FFAC programs will be among the first to move into the building. The centre has been designed to foster creativity, exploration, communication and collaboration among students in the FFAC programs and with their peers in other faculties at City Centre Campus. “FFAC students will have opportunities to interact with students studying the humanities, science, business, and health,” says John Corlett, the university’s provost and vicepresident, Academic. “The move to the downtown campus will bring a new depth and breadth to their university experience in terms of greater access to courses, student services and student life activities.”
Campus will bring new energy to our academic and creative environment,” says Corlett. “They will bring a rich and exciting new dimension to the campus. Art and music will become a part of everyday life for everyone at MacEwan.” FFAC students will also be able to take advantage of Edmonton’s growing downtown arts and culture scene. Professional theatre, music, and visual arts venues are only a short walk away from the campus. “Moving to the new centre will place us in the heart of one of the most dynamic urban arts districts in the country,” concludes Denise Roy, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications. n
Students from other programs will also benefit from the connection to their peers. “Having these students and faculty at City Centre
Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2016 31
STUDENTS
RISE WITH BOW VALLEY COLLEGE
New campus. New programs. New opportunities. “Wow.” That’s the overwhelming response we get when counsellors tour our new campus, completed in 2013. Students love it here, too, because they get an excellent education on their terms, overcoming any barriers to success. They can choose from an ever-expanding choice of career Certificates and Diplomas in the vital fields of business, health care, justice, community services, and creative technologies. And they will be in demand – 93% find employment in their fields within six months of graduation. Visit bowvalleycollege.ca