As a Durham College (DC) student, networking opportunities are all around you.

Whether it’s through volunteer work, field placement or a special event on campus or elsewhere, the connections you make can help pave the way to your future success.

DC expert professors are always seeking new opportunities for students to participate in real-world learning, build industry relationships and develop professional skills that will support their career development.

Earlier this year, for example, DC announced a unique partnership with all eight Durham Region Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade. First-year Business students are given a membership that lasts for the duration of their studies and one year after graduation. With it, they experience the benefits of being part of the larger business community and have regular opportunities to attend networking and industry events where they can connect with local professionals and potential future employers.

Networking can even take the form of friendly competition. Culinary students who believe they can be top chefs can enter competitions locally, provincially and even nationally. Two of DC’s students recently took home the top honors at one such event, the Taste Canada Awards Gala. Aside from their trophy and prize money, they also collected valuable experience, connections and friendships.

Sometimes you won’t even have to leave the campus to make new connections. They’ll come to you!

Earlier this month, Invest Durham hosted a film and television industry career fair at the Oshawa campus. Students had the opportunity to meet with professionals from a number of different disciplines, from cinematography and costume design to prop creation and beyond. A number of important industry organizations were also represented, from Reel Canada to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE).

No matter what program you’re in, you can get out into the world and meet the people who are leading the way in your chosen field.

For more information on these and other DC opportunities, explore our programs.

Written by Jean-Paul Hernandez, OTA and PTA graduate and PTA board member, Canadian Physiotherapy Association

I never imagined I would return to school, especially in my 40s, but sometimes life has an amazing way of leading you right where you need to be.

When it came to enrolling at Durham College (DC), I was hesitant. Age aside, I had never lived outside Toronto, my partner and I were only a year into our relationship, and I was worried about learning new skills in an entirely different field.

But everything changed when I met Teresa Avvampato and Laura Maybury at the college’s 2018 Open House. As co-ordinators of DC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physiotherapy Assistant (OTA and PTA) program, they offered insight into the ways I could steer my life in a new direction – one that was aligned with my own values – to help make a difference in the lives of others. This, along with my partner’s support, was all I needed to be convinced DC was the right place for me.

From day one, it was clear that DC’s student experience comes first and the college’s commitment to mental health is supported by an abundance of resources that encourage staff and students to reach out. As a member of the deaf community, I was able to utilize the services of the Access and Support Centre to advocate on my behalf for newer assistive devices (hearing aids), computerized note takers and more time for exams in the Test Centre. I was also able to supplement my income through the student work-study program on campus and apply for grants and bursaries through the Financial Aid office. Without these resources, my experience returning to school full-time would not have been a success.

Our world is rapidly changing, and as health care providers, we must adapt to treating people from all walks of life. The OTA and PTA program highlighted the importance of practicing cultural competency when acting as a voice for people’s therapeutic and rehabilitative experiences. With a focus on clear, ethical relationships for OTAs and PTAs, I learned to apply important parameters to shape how I approach real-life scenarios in a clinical setting.

With graduation fast approaching, my peers and I began job searching, imagining ourselves as part of the multidisciplinary teams of clinicians we had so carefully studied.

But job hunting during a global pandemic was interesting, to say the least.

With very few of us having ever interviewed virtually, it was a learning curve for everyone. Thankfully, the fourth semester of the OTA and PTA program prepared us through the Professional Practice course, which covered resume and cover letter building and interviewing skills to help us land our first post-DC positions.

After working so closely over the course of our program, I was thrilled to see my peers successfully enter our job field. As for me, I owe my gratitude to the Professional Practice course, which helped me land my first PTA role in a physiotherapy clinic just three months after graduation.

In June 2021, I will continue my journey in the PTA field as the newest member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Board of Directors. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve the profession that has changed my life. I hope to learn about policymaking, advocating for the profession on behalf of both physiotherapists and PTAs, and of course, working towards strategic issues that are extremely important to me, such as accessibility to physiotherapy services for those in the underrepresented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) community and those who live with sensory and cognitive disabilities, like myself.

So if you find yourself debating whether or not to make a change, trust in yourself and your journey. I am incredibly grateful for the engagement from my peers and instructors at DC who have forever changed my life.

At Durham College (DC), we’ve been working tirelessly since March to ensure that in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our students will continue to receive an exceptional experience this fall – one that combines quality education, real-world learning opportunities, a diverse and supportive college community and a vibrant student life.

While our fall semester may look different than it has in the past, here are a few reasons why you should kick-start your post-secondary journey at DC this September.

• 

  You can expect exciting hands-on learning opportunities while learning remotely.

  We’ve received a number of questions from incoming students about how the hands-on learning that DC is known for will be delivered.

  Our award-winning faculty have found innovative solutions to ensure this kind of learning will be incorporated into your courses this semester – even if it’s at a distance. Through online simulations, virtual placements, interactive labs and limited in-person classes, we’ve created an immersive experience for students.

  Want to learn more about what your academics will look like in the fall? Check out this video.

• 

  You’ll gain valuable skills that will prepare you for an ever-changing job market.

  Students who are determined to persevere in an online environment will develop unique skills like resilience, flexibility and problem-solving. After graduation, these skills will be extremely valuable to employers in an ever-changing job market. Additionally, as more organizations switch to remote work, students with experience working and learning online will be better prepared to take on any challenge that presents itself in their career.

• 

  DC will support your academic journey through virtual support services.

  While our campus is not fully operating in a face-to-face capacity, our amazing support services are still available to assist you throughout your academic journey. From academic learning services and peer tutoring, to mental health counselling and virtual doctor’s appointments – everything you need will be at your fingertips and just as accessible as ever.

COVID-19 has changed the way we work and learn. While remote learning may be different than what you’re used to or were expecting, it’s temporary – and our employees have been preparing all summer to ensure you’re fully supported to be successful this September.

Thinking about attending DC this fall, but have a few more questions? Get in touch with us at recruitment@durhamcollege.ca.

Learn more about applying to Durham College at www.durhamcollege.ca/apply.

Choosing the perfect college can be exciting and for some a bit challenging. While you want to consider things like location (are you going to commute or stay in residence?) or if the school has your preferred program, it’s also important to ask yourself what kind of post-secondary experience you’re looking for.

Here are some reasons why Durham College (DC) could be your perfect fit:

• 

  You want a strong academic foundation for your career.

  Our programs share one goal: preparing job-ready graduates who possess the skills and knowledge employers need. At DC you’ll learn and train at the highest level in a course of study that is continuously enhanced to reflect workforce realities.

  DC is huge on innovation and when students graduate they are already well-equipped to join the workforce. #DurhamCollege equals opportunity!

• 

  You’ll connect with employers early and often.

  As a DC student, you’ll benefit from the trusted relationships we’ve built with employers across all sectors. From in-class guest speakers to job fairs and networking events, you’ll have access to top employers as a student and alumnus.

• 

  You’ll learn from the experts.

  Whether you’re training on campus or out in the workplace, your professors and mentors are experts in their fields with real-world experience. They are in-demand, well-connected leaders who know what it takes to get hired and succeed.

  I    DC for the hands-on learning opportunities available to me and the extra effort professors put in to ensure we are ready for success after graduation.

• 

  You’ll have leading tech at your fingertips.

  What do you want to create today? DC students have access to 3D printers, a digital media recording room and much more. You can also gain applied research experience in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), working alongside other students, faculty and industry partners through our unique AI Hub on campus.

• 

  You can earn while you learn.

  Whether it’s through co-op or one of over 150 on-campus jobs, DC students have the opportunity to get paid while developing career-ready skills.

  I    DC for the support is has to offer! Job support, test support, financial support – DC is a shoulder to lean on.

• 

  You want hands-on learning.

  DC students get out from behind their textbooks in our state-of-the-art facilities to put their learning into practice – from programming robots in the Integrated Manufacturing Centre to providing therapeutic massage in the Durham College Spa, sharpening culinary skills in the full-service teaching restaurant, Bistro ’67, to building a custom car in the auto shop and many other hands-on experiences.

  I    DC because of its focus on experiential learning. It empowers us to gain confidence in ourselves through the development of real-world projects to solve real-world problems.

• 

  You want a community for life.

  From backpack to briefcase and beyond, DC employees will support you in and out of the classroom. Our student services are available to you every step of the way and don’t end once you graduate. You’ll go on to join more than 100,000 alumni who stay connected to each other and the college throughout their careers.

  I    DC because it makes me feel like I am part of a community and not just an institution. It’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience and I would recommend DC to anyone.

If the reasons above sound exactly like what you’re looking for in a college experience, then look no further. It’s time to apply to DC to kick-start your career today.

Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/fresh for a list of all programs. Need some help choosing a program? Get in touch with us at 905.721.3126 or recruitment@durhamcollege.ca.