July 13, 2012

NORTH ISLAND COLLEGE | COLLEGE CONNECTION | SPECIAL ISSUE JULY 2012

Advance in your trade and work toward your Red Seal with apprenticeship training options in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, heavy duty mechanics, and professional cooking.

CAREER SHIFT: FROM COMMERCIAL DIVER TO NAVAL ELECTRONICS Industrial Automation diploma students off to sea Three years ago, Leigh Walls went looking for a career shift and found it.

She soon discovered NIC’s Electronics Technician Core certiﬁcate, a nine-month program leading directly into the second year of NIC’s Industrial Automation Technician diploma in Campbell River.

COLLEGE CONNECTION

How do I apply for a student loan? You can apply online or download an application at www.studentaid.bc.ca. Online applications are processed faster than paper forms, which may also be available through your NIC ﬁnancial aid advisor.

TOP STORIES

Learn what you can do at your community college

UNIVERSITY TRANSFER

TOURISM

2

INTERACTIVE MEDIA

3

New business degree bridging options

Call us for details 1-800-715-0914

Web design & development

TRADES 4 & TECHNOLOGY NIC graduates off to sea

Learn more: www.nic.bc.ca/ﬁnancialaid Or call: 1-800-715-0914

Two years later, she’s graduated with a rewarding career as a naval electronics technician with the Canadian Forces.

HIGHLIGHTS

NEW PROGRAMS

KEY DATES

“It was deﬁnitely the right choice for me,” Leigh said. “This job is relaxing, challenging, interesting, and fun. If you love solving puzzles and want a long-term employable skill, you’ll love it.”

Leigh Walls works on the ﬁnal Industrial Automation class project: a potato chip processing machine, which slices, fries, seasons and bags three kinds of potato chips.

“So I signed a six-year contract and I know I’ll get guaranteed work and additional training as I go.” The Industrial Automation Technician program teaches students to design, install, and maintain electronics equipment used in modern industrial processes. On graduation, they’re prepared to work in the military, coast guard, marine aquaculture, food processing, communications, pulp and paper, lumber, oil and gas, manufacturing and mining industries. “People don’t realize that industrial automation crosses everything you touch that has anything to do with manufacturing — your cell phone, your keyboard, a lot of the food you eat, everything,” she said. “We’ll graduate prepared to know the processes, automate the systems, or troubleshoot and maintain the operations in all of those industries.”

Starts: July 16 for up to 6 weeks, class times are ﬂexible Cost: $265 approx

Graduates are second-year technicians qualiﬁed to work across Canada and the United States under the Canadian Technology

Students work as electronics technicians and are also awarded credit by the Industry Training Authority for two years technical training toward an Industrial Instrumentation and Controls apprenticeship. This summer, the program will incorporate full-sized industrial robots into their lab facilities.

We’re open all summer! Come talk to a student advisor, get help choosing courses, apply for fall programs, or see a ﬁnancial aid advisor.

Aug 20-23

Are you ready for university? Our University Studies 101 course will help you get grades you want, with far less effort. 1 - 4 pm in Campbell River & 9 am - noon in the Comox Valley.

Sep 4

Orientation Day. No classes.

Sep 5

Fall term 2012. Classes begin.

Activity Assistant............... 2 Business HR option.......... 2 Exercise & Wellness .......... 3 Professional Potter ........... 3 Metal Jewellery Design ... 3 Trades Access Course .....4

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HOW DO I?

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Student loan answers

“We try to maintain current technology training to suit the industry,” said NIC instructor Andrew Marr. Entrance to the Industrial Automation Technician program is via the Electronics Core program, or an Interprovincial (Red Seal) electrical trade and a prior learning assessment. Electronics core students need a minimum of a C+ in English 11 and Principles of Math 11, or equivalent to start. Find out more: www.nic.bc.ca/trades Or call: 1-800-715-0914

KEY DATES

COME TALK TO US

Come to talk to us this summer

We’re here all summer to answer your questions and help you get started this fall.

1-800-715-0914 | questions@nic.bc.ca

NIC science graduate Sylva Wiedeman heads north to UNBC this September.

DOCTOR, DOCTOR

UNBC Health Sciences degree draws second-year NIC science graduates into medical careers Sylva Wiedeman has always wanted to be a doctor. The science-focused student started at NIC in 2010, with a plan to take a year of ﬁrstyear classes close to home before transferring to a bigger urban university. “I didn’t want to go too far away right out of high school and the costs, of course, were a lot lower,” Sylva said. Two years later, she’s graduating from NIC on track as the college’s top university transfer student in the math and sciences department with a clear plan to attend medical school.

WWW.NIC.BC.CA

Develop your applied math skills for trades and/or English for entry into trades programs this fall. Class lessons are tailored to your skill level and areas needed for improvement, helping you build your conﬁdence and prepare to write your entry assessment.

Accreditation Board (CTAB) in the electrical, instrumentation, and IT ﬁelds.

July & Aug

WWW.NIC.BC.CA

TRADES ACCESS NEW SUMMER COURSE

Quick answers to student loan questions

Is there someone I can talk to? Yes, absolutely. Any questions you have about your Student Aid application, can be directed to StudentAid BC at 1-800561-1818 or make an appointment with your NIC ﬁnancial aid advisor.

Realizing the career combined her love of solving intricate puzzles and a desire for year-round work, she looked into training programs in BC.

Visit us online www.nic.bc.ca

SPECIAL ISSUE JULY 2012

When should I apply? Student loan applications are available June 1 for programs beginning in September and January.

The former commercial diver was a single parent, out of work, and looking for stable employment when an aptitude test at a Campbell River employment agency suggested she try electrical engineering.

“I found out the military was looking for naval electronics technicians, hiring students, and paying for school,” said Leigh.

Email us anytime questions@nic.bc.ca

HOW DO I?

TRADES & TECHNOLOGY

Along with Aircraft Structures Technician (AME-S) and Professional Cook programs, NIC’s Industrial Automation Technician program is Canadian Forces accredited. Leigh and three other students in her class earned wages, beneﬁts, and tuition support while they studied, knowing they’ll have a guaranteed career in the military on graduation.

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START YOUR DEGREE

Browse your degree options at www.nic.bc.ca/programs

Northern Medical Program and some of the most recognized rural medical training in Canada. The program is drawing more than just Sylva north. Two years ago, NIC university transfer student Camila Sanchez entered UNBC as a biomedical studies major in the Health Sciences program. She’s now completing her honour’s thesis and preparing her application for the Northern Medical Program in September 2013.

“All of the courses I took at NIC transferred quite nicely into something I could use for my degree,” said Camila. “We were At NIC, Sylva found instructors and stuexposed to so much in labs at NIC; we dents as passionate about science as she is. did our own prep work and had access to “Learning biology was more of a conversa- equipment that took extra time to set up. I tion than a lecture,” she said. don’t think that would be practical in most undergraduate programs.” Along the way, Sylva discovered that by taking two years of sciences at NIC, she NIC university transfer student Christine could enter directly into the third year Law moved from NIC sciences to UNBC of her degree at UNBC, home to UBC’s

two years ago. She was accepted into the Northern Medical Program this summer. “Going to NIC was the best choice I ever made,” said Christine, who intends to return to the Comox Valley to start her own medical practice after graduation. “The transition from high school to university is a big step. At NIC, I was able to take advantage of small class sizes so that by the time I got to the second or third year at UNBC, class sizes were much smaller and more approachable.” Both students appreciate UNBC’s accessible research facilities, which encourage undergraduate participation and give students a chance to get more involved in their ﬁeld of study. NIC offers a complete selection of ﬁrst and second-year science courses that transfer to UNBC’s Bachelor of Health Sciences, including Organic Chemistry I/ II (CHE 200/201), Cell Biology (BIO-200), Introductory Microbiology (BIO-215), Principles of Genetics (BIO-202), and Introduction to Biochemistry (BIO-201). Find out more: www.nic.bc.ca/mathsciences Or call: 1-800-715-0914

Always wanted to go to university? Are you looking to learn in a creative way? Interested in exploring your options? Discover NIC’s transfer plans and degree pathways in arts, sciences, ﬁne arts, social work, criminology, engineering, and more. PAGE 4

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NORTH ISLAND COLLEGE | COLLEGE CONNECTION | SPECIAL ISSUE JULY 2012

As one of the world’s fastest growing industries, tourism employs more than 200,000 people in BC.

HEALTH CARE

BECOME AN ACTIVITY ASSISTANT IN JUST FOUR MONTHS Are you a health care or community support graduate? If so, you qualify for a four-month part-time program available for the ﬁrst time in the Comox Valley—NIC’s new Activity Assistant certiﬁcate.

INTERACTIVE MEDIA

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

STUDY TOURISM, TRAVEL THE WORLD AND GET YOUR BUSINESS DEGREE

In the program, you’ll learn to how to effectively plan and lead recreation activities for seniors with cognitive and physical impairments. You’ll boost your employment opportunities and learn from professionals in the ﬁeld.

Want to add to your bachelor’s degree and increase your employability in just one year?

Find out more: www.nic.bc.ca/communitycare Or call: 1-800-715-0914

FINE ARTS & DESIGN

NEW PROFESSIONAL POTTER PROGRAM STARTS MAY 2013

With family in the Comox Valley, he and his wife decided to buy a house and return to school for new careers in design and social work. The full-time students found innovative ways to balance school and work with family time. Paresa Habibi managed the front desk at Oh Spa in Courtenay before earning credit on exchange in Germany toward her NIC business degree, which she will complete this year.

GET A BUSINESS DEGREE, WITH A MARKETING EDGE

Tourism program now bridges directly into NIC business degree

Earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Marketing major and gain skills and contacts needed to succeed in business.

Paresa Habibi is combining her love of travel and meeting people with a strong business background.

Study communications, professional writing, and project management in the classroom and through paid Co-op positions. On graduation, you’ll qualify for a wide range of positions in marketing and public relations for proﬁt, nonproﬁt, and government organizations.

NIC’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program gave her the opportunity to work and learn across BC and around the world. In two years, Paresa completed a paid Co-op position at the Delta Grand Hotel in the Okanagan, studied at Kapiolani Community College in Hawaii, and helped to organize the Wine Festival in Campbell River, a fund-raising event for the program’s annual behind-the-scenes tour of Las Vegas resorts and hotels. Her skills and education earned her a position as a front desk supervisor at Courtenay’s Oh Spa at the Old House Village Hotel and Suites.

gives our tourism graduates two years credit and access to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration degree right here in the Comox Valley,” said Dr. Jan Lindsay, NIC president. Paresa is taking full advantage of the new pathway, travelling to the International

The new business degree option opens up many more doors for tourism students.” AMY VELOSO, 2012 GRADUATE BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

degree’s Marketing or General Management major. Already, alumni such as Amy Veloso are beneﬁting from the dual credentials. “It’s a huge bonus,” said Amy, one of the ﬁrst tourism students to earn a business degree in 2012. “The new business degree option opens up many more doors for tourism students.” She plans on accepting a position in Victoria this summer, where she’ll combine her management and marketing skills. For more information on study abroad opportunities available to tourism and business students, visit www.nic.bc.ca/ studyabroad. Find out more: www.nic.bc.ca/tourism Or call: 1-800-715-0914

School of Management in Dortmund this spring while earning business degree credit.

Paresa then applied to NIC’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree program last fall.

“After graduation I changed my focus and realized that with just two more years of study I could go on exchange in Germany and graduate with a business degree,” said Paresa.

“Creating seamless educational pathways for students—at NIC and beyond—is one of our key priorities. The new bridging option

Tourism and hospitality management students enter direcly into the third year of the Bachelor of Business Adminstration

THINK BUSINESS

Browse all of your options at www.nic.bc.ca/programs

Design and development has proven to be the solution Yosuke was looking for. “I can build my work into my lifestyle rather than the other way around,” he said. “I work the hours I want to work and I still earn 50 per cent more than when I was in my previous job.” He couldn’t have done it without NIC’s Interactive Media programs and supportive instructors who pushed him beyond his comfort level to improve his design and programming skills. “Now I have a concept of what will look good and make it work,” said Yosuke. “If it wasn’t for the design portion of the program and the instructors, I would have never known how much I was capable of.” He is now in his ﬁnal year of the Advanced Communication Design diploma, which blends web design and development to give students a multidimensional skill set. Students can register for the three-year

MORE TO EXPLORE

Browse all of your options at www.nic.bc.ca/programs

Ever dream about starting your own business? Do you like working as part of a team? Are you an accountant at heart? Discover a world of opportunities with degrees in marketing, accounting, management, or international business. PAGE 2

Study human anatomy, and sport and exercise psychology while you kayak, ski, and more. On completion, you’ll be eligible to transfer into the second year of Camosun’s Exercise and Wellness diploma. Option for part-time study are also available. Apply now for classes starting this September.

“Once I had kids I realized I really didn’t want to work in carpentry any more; by the end of each day I was exhausted and starting to acquire health issues,” said Yosuke. “It was time to make a move to something where I could work from home.”

HUMAN RESOURCES OPTION FOR 1-YR POST DEGREE DIPLOMA

Find out more: www.nic.bc.ca/business Or call: 1-800-715-0914

Turn your love of ﬁtness into a career with NIC’s new eight-month Exercise and Wellness certiﬁcate.

The former apprentice carpenter moved his young family across Alberta and BC in 2009 in pursuit of a better quality of life and a new career.

BUSINESS

Starts Sep & Jan, $2,635 approx + books/supplies.

IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE

EXERCISE & WELLNESS: NEW PART-TIME OPTIONS

Yosuke Hasumi has gone from swinging a hammer to hammering out code, and he couldn’t be happier.

Find out more: www.nic.bc.ca/health Or call: 1-800-715-0914

Starts Sep & Jan, $2,635 approx + books/supplies.

COMMUNITY CARE

Interactive media student ﬁnds work-life balance with web design and development career

“NIC’s program instructor Deb Provencher is well-respected in the ﬁeld of therapeutic recreation,” said Liz Friis, Director of Resident Lifestyle & Community Programs at Glacier View Lodge. “She brings exceptional training, energy, and insight; and her graduates are ready to contribute from day one on the job.”

Learn to recruit staff, understand beneﬁt and compensation regulations, and negotiate collective agreements with NIC’s new Human Resources Management option. The Business Administration post degree diploma also includes options for students interested in studying general or international management, marketing, or accounting.

There are more than 1,000 painters, sculptors, ceramic and ﬁbre, wood, graphic and media artists and crafts persons working and living in the Comox Valley.

Interactive media student Yosuke Hasumi is kept busy designing and programming for local and international clients while working toward his Advanced Communication Design diploma.

program directly or, start their studies with the eight-month Web Design certiﬁcate and two-year Web Development diploma.

If it wasn’t for the design portion of the program and the instructors, I would never have known how much I was capable of. YOSUKE HASUMI, STUDENT ADVANCED COMMUNICATION DESIGN DIPLOMA

U.S.-based clients in New York, Florida, and more. Locally, he’s found that a growing network of clients such as Done Creative and Better Mouse Trap Marketing keep him busy throughout the year. “NIC programs have created a huge community of web developers and designers that feed into each other and we’re all working. It’s starting to feel like a mecca of designers and developers.” NIC alumni Chris Patterson agrees. She started Takeﬂight Design, a graphic design and website company before ﬁnishing the program.

“If you’re good at what you do and source out people for the stuff you need help The program works with an advisory board with, that’s when you’re going to be sucof employers to ensure graduates meet cessful. We really have a great community current industry demands. In addition, stu- of web specialists in the Comox Valley.” dents apply their knowledge in workplace Interactive media courses are availpracticums and make contacts in their ﬁeld. able individually or as part of a program. Yosuke started working with Jamie McCue, Students can apply to register for full or one of the founders of the Comox Valley part time courses starting this September. Web Posse and owner of Architexture, a Find out more: www.nic.bc.ca/ﬁnearts Comox Valley-based creative studio. Or call: 1-800-715-0914 His success led to work with instructor Tom Keenoy, a partner in Medium Rare Interactive, Inc., which does work for

Want to take your pottery design and production skills to the next level and gain the business education you need to effectively market your work? With the new Professional Potter advanced diploma, you can study full time over 10 months in NIC’s 4,000 ft2 studios and access a wide range of kilns, including Gordon Hutchens’ rare Tozan-style Anagama wood-ﬁred kiln. Learn from internationally known potters and complete a two-month internship with a practicing potter or at the Medalta International Artists in Residence Program in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Find out more: Email alan.burgess@nic.bc.ca Or call 250-334-5056

METAL JEWELLERY DESIGN Learn to create metal jewellery from established artists this fall in Campbell River. Instructors include Jan Hellerud, Tracey Gibbons, Tim Haley, Leanne Helin, Joan Irvin, Cheryl Jacobs, and more. Study metal casting, Northwest Coast Aboriginal jewellery, silversmithing, and more starting Sept. 17. Find out more: www.nic.bc.ca/ﬁnearts Or call: 1-800-715-0914

Interested in getting an Emily Carr degree on Vancouver Island? Want to follow your passion in photography? Check out our Professional Photography program and Emily Carr Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. WWW.NIC.BC.CA

WWW.NIC.BC.CA

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