Info for
Quick links
Download our Mobile app
Icon for Apple. App Store Icon for Android. Google Play

New graduates ready to provide compassionate care to children

Graduate Spotlight: Alexis Joyce and Khala Sutherland

After completing six semesters in two years, the new graduates of Durham College’s (DC) compressed Child and Youth Care program could probably use a rest.

But instead of taking a breather, Alexis Joyce and Khala Sutherland have already found employment and are ready to make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

We spoke to Alexis and Khala about their time at DC, what they learned in the program, and their plans for the future.

What was your DC experience like?

Alexis: The professors made an effort to learn everyone’s names, hobbies and future goals. They made our classrooms a positive and safe environment for reflection, advocacy and self-determination. Each professor gave me a new outlook on the field and pushed me to continue in my development.

Khala: I could not have been more pleasantly surprised at just how quickly the two years went, how much knowledge I gained, and how many real-world, transferable skills I garnered. There were key faculty and students who made the journey a complete success. I loved being a DC student because I grew into a confident, knowledgeable and employable individual in my field.

How did the program help you prepare for your career?

Alexis: The program was a fantastic start to my career. The professors used assignments that were based on real scenarios. The goal was to give us employable skills that could directly be used in the field. I felt very prepared when applying for my current position and am confident in my skills. DC provided me with a positive experience that really pushed me towards a better version of myself. I am very thankful for the opportunity to develop my skill set and set meaningful goals.

Khala: In my final placement, I chose to be a student clinician at the Durham College Care Clinic. Through that, I had the wonderful opportunity of being a facilitator with the Youth Job Centre in Bowmanville. A colleague and I created evidence-based presentations on life skill topics such as self-esteem, conflict resolution and problem-solving. We presented about a dozen times, creating relationships and building rapport with young people. This role was one I didn’t ever think to do, but that opportunity opened my eyes to how I could do the same thing. I applied to Durham Family Court Clinic (DFCC) in Oshawa, and in August I was offered the job as a violence prevention program coordinator.

Would you recommend the program to future students?

Alexis: My experience with the program was very positive. I had an amazing time getting to know all of my professors and classmates. The program is really based on practical work that is directly related to your chosen future field of employment. For example, if you’re really interested in being a child and youth care practitioner for a school board, the professors help you do assignments from that perspective. Overall, I strongly recommend the program.

Khala: I would say go for it. You won’t know your capabilities until you take a chance. This program is well-rounded, it gives you practical, hands-on skills, and then provides the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned. There are many benefits, not only to you as a professional, but as a person in the community where you can think from a trauma-informed, person-centred stance. You will become more compassionate, more caring and more understanding of the diverse needs of others.

What do you love most about DC?

Alexis: My favourite part of DC was the environment. The college always had fun events occurring around the campus that allowed students to make friends. It is important to have a post-secondary experience that you really feel a part of and that you as an individual are making a difference. DC provided me with that experience.

Khala: I love that DC is a diverse, yet inclusive school. It never felt like I was out of place or didn’t deserve to be there. I believe that the culture created at DC and the willingness to grow in cultural competency shows where their heart is.

What are your future goals?

Alexis: I am continuing my education working towards a bachelor’s degree in both child and youth care and psychology. I am also working as a part-time child and youth care practitioner getting to experience the amazing path the youth are on. In the future, I would love to complete a master’s degree and possibly work in a clinical setting!

Khala: My future goals are to continue to work with youth, children and families in a plethora of mediums, in the community and in schools, assisting them in creating and meeting their goals and reaching their full potential.

—

Does a career in social services appeal to you? Check out these popular programs offered at DC in the Faculty of Social & Community Services:

DCSA chairperson making the most of her final year

Student Spotlight: Megan Bent

In her three years at Durham College (DC), Megan Bent has just about done it all.

Currently enrolled in the Sport Business Management graduate certificate program, she’s already an Advertising and Promotion graduate. She’s a key member of the dominant Durham Lords women’s rugby team that went undefeated last season on its way to provincial gold. And for the second year in a row, she’s leading the way for the Durham College Student Association (DCSA) as executive chairperson.

Though she received a Bachelor of Global and International Studies from Carleton University, it wasn’t quite what she was looking for in a post-secondary experience.

“It just wasn’t the right fit for me. I learn best in a get-your-hands-dirty kind of way, and neither high school nor university played with mud.”

Her search for a more tactile education led her to DC, where she immediately made herself at home both in and out of the classroom. She jumped into student life by helping out at orientation events, and then successfully ran for the position of Media, Art and Design director on the DCSA board, before the outgoing chairperson advised her to pursue the leadership role.   

“Getting the opportunity to join the board, I really got to understand the dynamics of our campus, how the association worked, and the things that we could offer to students,” she said.

Her smiling face has become a familiar sight on campus, and students know they can always approach her with their questions, concerns or friendly greetings.

She credits her counterparts at the DCSA for allowing her to do so much.

“I get a lot of praise for the things that we do, but we really have a well-oiled machine behind the scenes. They’re always pushing me to be better. They’re always taking care of me. I really couldn’t do what I do without them.”

Their support, as well as her own dedication and hard work, allows her to excel in class as well as on the rugby pitch. Now in her third season, she has embraced a leadership role on the team. In the same way she guides new students as DCSA president, she shares the benefit of her experience with the younger players on the team.

“When you’ve been on the circuit as long as I have, you have a lot of knowledge and a lot of insight,” she said. “I love playing with them. My team has been amazing. We’re there for each other.”

Her dedication to DC yielded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity last month, when she was chosen to deliver the ceremonial first pitch at the Toronto Blue Jays’ College and University Night. Members of the DC ball teams gave her some tips, and when the moment came, she threw a strike in front of a packed Rogers Centre.

“The stadium feels a lot bigger when you’re standing on the field than when you’re in the seats,” she said. “It was really cool representing our school and getting to see the crowd.”

She will soon be incorporating her passion for athletics with her education. In her upcoming field placement, she’ll be working with the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA). She’s already well acquainted with the organization as a member of its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee. Combining her multifaceted education with her love of sports would be an ideal career path for her.

Whatever her future holds, she knows it will be tough to say goodbye to DC.

“I’ll be pretty bummed because it’ll be the end of a chapter, and it’s been one of my favorite ones that I’ve ever got to write,” she said. “But then I also get to start a new chapter, and so I’m optimistic that my next stage of life will be as vibrant and lively as this one.”

Two generations, one classroom: A mother and son’s unique journey to DC

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: CHERALEE AND JAMES CLEARY

Cheralee Cleary has fond memories of walking her son, James, to his first days of elementary school but never expected that nearly two decades later, their roles would be reversed.

For 32 years, Cheralee worked as a registered nursing assistant in a group home for adults with developmental disabilities. As her license renewal with the College of Nurses approached in 2021, Cheralee started exploring her options and even enrolled in a refresher program at a different college at the peak of the pandemic.

“I was feeling pretty defeated and that’s when James suggested Durham College,” she said.

Already enrolled in Durham College's (DC) Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificate program, this time it was James who stepped up to ease his mother's first-day jitters.

Durham College was the first place I felt at home. Right away, I noticed how accessible everything was on campus. No matter who I talked to – a fellow student, an instructor or the information desk – everyone was happy to help.

– James Cleary, Practical Nursing student

And their DC story doesn’t end there.

Building on the momentum of their Pre-Health Sciences program, in 2023 James and Cheralee enrolled in DC’s Practical Nursing program and continue to reap the benefits of studying – and living – under the same roof.

“When we study together, we like to knit pick each other’s answers,” said James. “It helps us remember key information for tests and let’s us have a bit of fun with it.”

It’s hard to stop being a mom at times, but Durham College makes it so easy to go back to school at any age. The professors are so approachable and the number of resources available to you make the transition so smooth.

– Cheralee Cleary, Practical Nursing student

When asked about their plans after graduation, Cheralee looks forward to putting her new skills to work in long-term nursing care and building on her wealth of experience. As for James, his future specialty has yet to be determined, although surgical nursing tops his list these days.

“I’d like to taste the rainbow – I want to go everywhere.”

For now, they’re content with their friendly competitions and working toward the special moment when they’ll both cross the Convocation stage together next year.

Distinguished journalist preparing students for a rewarding career

Faculty spotlight – Alvin Ntibinyane

At Durham College, students learn from accomplished professors who bring their extensive, real-world experience to the classroom. In this series, we put the spotlight on our passionate faculty members who are committed to helping students lead the way.

From his earliest days growing up in Botswana, Durham College (DC) professor Alvin Ntibinyane knew he wanted to be a journalist.

“I grew up in a household where both my parents were consumers of news and newspapers,” he explained. “As early as Grade 4 or 5, my interest was in journalism and becoming a news reporter, and that’s what I became.”

Launching his career as a reporter in 2004 at the Botswana Guardian and Midweek Sun newspapers, he covered every kind of news there is, from politics, sports and entertainment to courts, crime and city council meetings. By 2011, his hard work landed him the role of bureau chief, where he continued to write and edit while mentoring a team of junior reporters.

A fellowship in South Africa at the Centre for Investigative Journalism followed, along with a stint as editor of Mmegi, the largest privately owned newspaper in Botswana. In 2015 he founded the INK Centre for Investigative Journalism. A non-profit organization, it trains journalists and advocates for the rights of investigative reporters.

His pursuit of his master’s degree in journalism brought him to Canada, where he studied at the University of Regina. After graduation, he stayed on at the school as a sessional lecturer. Last year he joined the DC family as a professor in the Journalism – Mass Media program, where he continues to guide and mentor the next generation of reporters.

“It has been quite rewarding and fulfilling for me,” he said of his transition to teaching at DC. “The joy of seeing students progressing and grasping something is quite amazing. We have students that are very, very committed.”

Those students will soon be entering a profession that is in a constant state of flux, with newspapers shuttering and jobs contracting. But Ntibinyane is adamant that there will always be a need for journalists and the news they share, even if the method for delivering it is rapidly changing.

“Journalism is very important. People still want the news, but maybe they don’t want the news in the newspaper,” he said. “We should be preparing students for other platforms.”

Tomorrow’s reporters will also face a rising anti-journalist sentiment in society. Journalists have always faced criticism and resentment from those in power and members of the public, but the internet and social media has amplified it.

In the face of these challenges, it’s more important than ever to provide new journalists with the best training possible.

“One thing that we need to do as professors is to really stick to what journalism is all about. Journalism is about pursuing the truth. You have to be accurate. You have to be fair. You have to be very balanced in the way you do things.”

Students must also be prepared to manage their mental health as they navigate their careers, and Ntibinyane is passionate about incorporating that idea into his lessons.

“Most schools and professors don’t prepare students for what will happen to them,” he said, noting that journalists will likely face criticism for their reporting. “We have to prepare them for that. We have to add mental health components to our courses, and that’s what I’ve been doing, particularly with second-year students.”

A career in journalism comes with significant challenges, and there’s no telling what the future holds. But for Ntibinyane, there’s no place he’d rather be.

“This is a noble profession. It’s not the most paying profession, but in my view, it is the most rewarding profession,” he said.

“We are the voice of the voiceless. If you really want to become a journalist, you should love the people. You should love telling their stories.”

If you want to pursue a career in journalism, learn more about our Journalism – Mass Media program.

Honouring her son through education: Danita Algar’s inspirational journey to DC

Graduate Spotlight – Danita Algar

Having been a stay-at-home mother for many years, returning to the classroom was the last place Danita Algar pictured herself, but as a parent, it’s hard to think of anything you wouldn’t do for your child.

So, when Danita’s son, Ben, asked her to continue his legacy as a Durham College (DC) carpentry student, her immediate answer was “yes.”

This June, Danita will cross the Convocation stage to receive her diploma in Carpentry – Building Construction Technician – a goal she has spent the last two years working towards in honour of Ben, who passed away at the age of 20 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Ben graduated from high school and went on to complete DC’s Trades Fundamentals program, igniting a passion for carpentry and led to his enrolment in the Carpentry – Building Construction Technician program in September 2020.

Ben-first-day-of-Building-construction[4]

Less than two months into his first semester, Ben received his diagnosis and despite his efforts, had to put his studies on hold.

Quiet in nature but strong in character, it didn’t take long for Ben to build lasting friendships with his classmates and professors. Often found in the front row, Ben would share his inspirations and goals – one of which was to help build his family’s retirement home in New Brunswick and establish himself as a carpenter on the east coast.

“There’s a student in every class that seems to have something extra special to offer and Ben was one of them,” said Don Fishley, professor, Durham College.

Don and Ben’s friendship extended beyond the classroom. Don regularly checked in with the family and, in June 2021, Ben invited Don to visit him at home.

“I had the chance to meet Ben’s entire family and spend a few hours with him,” said Don. “What I didn’t realize was that Ben would pass away shortly after that visit. Looking back, it was a really special moment to be a part of.”

 

Ben on his first day of the Carpentry –
Building Construction Technician program.

Nearly two years later, Don’s relationship with the Algar family has only grown stronger. Following Ben’s passing, Danita received a call from DC notifying her that the college would transfer Ben’s place in the program to her – all she had to do was register.

“It was all very fresh and I needed some time to think about it,” said Danita. “We travelled to our property in New Brunswick where we held a memorial for Ben and I immediately thought – how can I not do this for him? This is what he wanted.”

Standing in the front row of her first shop class, Danita felt overwhelmed but remembers Don greeting her with a big hug and saying: “You’re going to be okay.”

In all her classes, Danita took on a caretaker role with her classmates, baking cookies and helping them with their notes. Driven by her desire to fulfil her son’s legacy, Danita became Don’s highest-ranking student, receiving 100 per cent on every assignment.

Img of Danita and Don

Danita and Don in shop class.

“I don’t think it’s possible to tell this story without Don,” said Danita. “He’s been a crucial part of this journey. There were many times I struggled but Don was always there to remember every birthday and anniversary.”

With two younger children – Grace, 20 and Hayden, 18 – Danita continues to keep Ben’s memory alive, and credits spending time with her younger classmates as something that has helped her cope.

When asked about her plans for the future, Danita said she is inspired to stay connected to the college, whether through further education or as a DC instructor, helping other learners contribute to their futures. As for the skills she developed at DC, Danita has already applied them at home and hopes to play a role in the construction of her New Brunswick build as a way to continue honouring Ben.

“Durham College has saved my life. I can’t say enough good about the college. It was there for Ben and he loved it, and going on his behalf, I found out why he loved it so much.”

Yash Sawant is part of the AI revolution

Graduate Spotlight – Yash Sawant

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world every day, and students like Yash Sawant are embracing it and the multitude of career opportunities it offers.

In 2019, Durham College (DC) launched the Artificial Intelligence Analysis, Design and Implementation graduate certificate program, and added the Artificial Intelligence – Honours Bachelor degree program in 2022. Both are designed to prepare graduates to be the next generation of leaders who will not only participate in the AI discussion but push it forward.

It was the graduate certificate program that enticed Sawant, an international student from India, to come to DC. He immersed himself in his studies, and will cross the stage at convocation this month.

Having already worked as a software engineer in his native country, he came to class with a solid base of knowledge that the program quickly built on.

“I got to experiment and try new things, and that was a good experience. It really sharpened my skills,” he said. “This program gave me a lot of new skills, filled in gaps in my knowledge and made me realize I didn’t know certain things that I thought I knew.”

His passion for problem-solving is what pushed him to study AI, and as he delved deeper into the course material, he knew he had made the right choice.

“I realized as I worked on more projects that there were solutions that required a human way of thinking to solve problems,” he said. “If you want to automate something a human does, you need algorithms that can actually tackle that in a certain way and to understand many different outcomes and produce a solution. I found that AI-based solutions were leading in that. AI is the way to solve most of the problems.”

Sawant worked on a wide range of projects during his time at DC, both in and out of class. For the program’s first capstone project, he built a tool designed to detect fake news. For his next capstone, he designed an AI model to predict the stock market, which he demonstrated at DC’s Student IT Expo.

Students like Sawant aren’t alone in pushing the boundaries of AI solutions. The faculty is also charting new frontiers, according to Tony Doyle, executive dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering & Information Technology (SEIT).

“Durham College is widely regarded for its responsiveness to emerging societal needs and demands. Our faculty participate in a range of activities designed to keep them at the forefront of information,” he said. “DC not only responds to emergent issues but works to stay current and indeed ahead of where the industry or society may be.”

One example of this is a project that Sawant is also involved in: the development and use of generative AI discussion tools like ChatGPT, and the creation of a DC chatbot. Work on the initiative continues, with the goal of producing a program that can answer any questions about DC.  

In addition to his time in class, Sawant also put his skills and knowledge to good use in the AI Hub, where students work under lead data scientists to provide solutions for small businesses, entrepreneurs and other clients.

“I think it’s very important in this field that you actually practice what you’ve learned,” he said. “You have to keep applying yourself and doing projects and experimenting, and that’s how you learn best. You can’t just study the theory and expect to be employed. You have to be hands-on.”

There’s no denying the impact AI has already had on the world. Like any developing technology, it has the potential to create drastic change, for good and bad, and Sawant can see both sides of the argument. He believes it will have a huge impact on productivity, with AI assistants helping everyone work faster and more efficiently. But that very utility will inevitably take jobs away from people who need them.

What’s clear is that AI is here to stay, and the newly minted DC graduate is eager to see what the future holds as he builds his life and career in Canada.

“There are a lot of tasks that are very simple that don’t require any knowledge. Menial, repetitive tasks are going to be automated and that’s going to change the world. I want to be part of that revolution.”

The road to employment: How one graduate credits his success to the powerful impact of his professors

Graduate Spotlight – REJOY JAMES

When Class of 2023 graduate Rejoy James reflects on his time at Durham College (DC), he’ll always remember his professors and the role they played in helping him land his dream job as a Vendor Compliance and Product Stewardship Analyst at Staples Inc. – even before finishing his final classes and exams.

Rejoy’s new job combines the skills from both programs he completed at DC – Data Analytics for Business Decision Making and Supply Chain Management – Global, where he is part of the first graduating class set to cross the Convocation stage in June.

While the pandemic impacted Rejoy’s experience when he first enrolled at DC in September 2021, the timeliness and relevancy of his programs offered the chance to apply the course materials to real-life scenarios, strengthening his understanding and preparing him to become a career-ready graduate.

We caught up with Rejoy to learn more about his DC experience and plans for the future.

____________________________________________________________________

How did DC prepare you to be career-ready?

I owe a lot to my professors at DC because they made my experience so memorable. They are professionals with industry experience, which I found to be one of the best things. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like you’re talking to a professor. They really help you and never shy away from questions.

What led you to further your education at DC?

I always had this idea that I would go into the data analysis field, but after the support I received from my professors, I thought, “What if I take another program at DC?” That’s what led me to the Supply Chain Management – Global program.

What impacts did the pandemic have on your studies and your DC experience?

Since data analysis is programming-based, I was a bit skeptical about how a fully-online program would work, but all the professors were experts at teaching online and communicating with students virtually. Whatever question I had, they had the answer.

In my Supply Chain Management – Global program, we were constantly talking about the pandemic, and how the supply chain was affected. I learned that the supply chain is like the glue that holds all the industries together. For example, we discussed the chip shortage and toilet paper demand and were able to apply the in-class concepts in the real world so we could see how customers would be impacted.

How did your professors help you land your first job before you even graduated?

Many of my professors were willing to go beyond the syllabus and teach us more about how to do things, and how to develop soft skills, such as interviewing. We discussed what questions employers might ask so we could be better prepared. Along with the course material, this career development helped me land my new role at Staples Inc. and I’m very grateful.

How will your DC credentials, along with your previous education support you in your new role?

I never imagined I’d land my first job even before graduating. My new role will combine five of my six credentials and I’m very excited. In addition to my two DC graduate certificates, I hold a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration (Management), a Product Design and Analysis diploma and a Chartered Management Institute Level 7 diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.

Policing a dream career for Shavine Johnson

Graduate Spotlight – Shavine Johnson

Shavine Johnson has always wanted to serve her community.

From a young age, she believed that a career in policing would be the best way to do that. While she was unable to pursue it in her native Jamaica, relocating to Canada in 2017 gave her another chance to follow her passion.

“I gave up on a dream back then. But when I came here, I realized I could actually act upon my dream.”

That realization brought her to Durham College, where she entered the Police Foundations program in January 2022. Four semesters later, she is ready to cross the stage at convocation and find the job she’s been dreaming about since childhood.

The learning and skills acquired through the diploma program are invaluable stepping stones for anyone considering a career in the field, according to program co-coordinator Mark Armstrong.

“It is an excellent foundation and students gain the life skills that are measured during the hiring process,” he said. “Students get realistic insight into policing through faculty experience, which gives realism to the program and a recipe for success.”

The program emphasizes the importance of physical fitness to prepare students for the demanding career ahead of them. It includes valuable certifications like Mental Health First Aid and Situational Awareness Specialist.

By constantly evolving and responding to community needs, DC has earned a stellar reputation among police organizations, according to Yvonne Armstrong, coordinator of the Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations program and a professor in Police Foundations.

“Recruiters come to us now with job openings asking for our graduates. Our team has worked hard to improve and raise the bar so that we truly do lead the way,” she said.

It’s no secret that policing is a high-profile (and highly scrutinized) job. In the media as well as pop culture, the dangerous elements get most of the attention. But there’s a lot more to the life of a police officer than danger.

“You have the crime aspect; that’s a big part of it. But you also get to help others. A lot of people neglect the part where you serve the community,” said Johnson. “The reality is a lot of people see police in a bad light, but I wanted to look at the bright side of just serving my community and serving others.”

Though police officers must always strive for a peaceful resolution, they will inevitably deal with people who endanger themselves and others. But even enforcing the law can ultimately be of service to the person breaking it.

“The ticket you give someone for not wearing a seatbelt may someday save their life or someone close to them. The individual you arrest for domestic violence may change their course and provide safety for future generations,” said Mark Armstrong. “You must realize that you make a difference that is important.”

While the dangers of policing can’t be denied, Johnson is determined not to let fear stand in her way. There are no safety guarantees in life, so rather than worrying about what might happen, she is already venturing into her community to make a difference. Volunteering at a local food bank allows her to meet the very people she hopes to one day serve and protect.

“We’re all human beings. We’re all capable of love and we all deserve it, and so I treat people with respect and I’m kind to them at all times,” she said.

That compassion, combined with everything she’s learned at DC, will make her the kind of police officer we’d all hope to meet when we’re in need.

Returning to school to pursue her passion: How Zoe Straw is turning her love for video games into a career in Virtual Reality development

Graduate Spotlight – Zoe Straw

For Zoe Straw, video games have always been a part of who she is. From a young age, Zoe was obsessed with learning everything she could about how they were designed and created.

It wasn’t until adulthood though, that she decided to return to school to translate that passion into a career.

Now, as a new Computer Programming and Analysis (CPA) graduate, we caught up with Zoe to hear about her experience at Durham College (DC), her second place win at the 2023 IT Student Expo – an annual event where students present their capstone projects infront of faculty, industry partners, and peers – plus, her future goals in the game development industry.

Why did you decide to take Computer Programming and Analysis at DC?

I was struggling to find my path so in my late 20s, I decided to go back to school. As an autistic woman, I tend to do well with logical problem solving and I have always had strong technical knowledge. I decided that studying software development – which is essentially what the CPA program covers – would be a great way to build a career. I also have always loved the idea of creating video games, and while I didn’t have a sense yet that I wanted to go into game development, I knew that learning to program would allow me to start learning game development skills.

How have the skills you’ve developed at DC helped you?

My classes on Systems Development and Object Oriented Programming helped me a lot in developing my game development skills. It feels very cool as a new programmer to recognize and improve on the shortcomings of code from those who have been doing it much longer than you.

What opportunities are you most grateful for at DC?

By far the best opportunity was working at the Mixed Reality Capture (MRC) Studio on campus. I worked as a research assistant for over a year while I was studying and got to work on multiple commercial game development and virtual reality (VR) projects. My focus as a developer is on VR and the MRC was an amazing opportunity to build my resume and experience outside of what we covered in class. I also got to work under two amazing research leads, Harrison Forsythe and Ryan Miller, who were incredibly passionate mentors.

What did you love most about your experience at DC?

I’m a transgender woman and I began my transition during my first year studying at DC. Coming out was terrifying at first and I had no idea how people would react but was really happy about how great campus life was in regard to my gender identity. It helped me build my confidence over those first vulnerable years of transition and now I am excited to join the work force as the confident woman I’ve become.

Were there any specific DC supports or services that helped you with transitioning your gender identity?

The college made changing my name and pronouns on the class lists and my student email really easy. My first piece of photo ID in my name was actually a Durham College student ID card, even before my government ID changed.

Tell us about your experience at the 2023 IT Student Expo.

The IT Expo was my finest hour and a great way to finish the semester! I was nervous at first, but after the first few visitors to my booth were amazed by my game I started having a lot of fun. I won second place overall, and the first place team was a group of five, so as a solo developer that’s about as good as I think it could’ve gone. My hard work really paid off and I was so proud of myself. I’ve since used my capstone project as a portfolio piece.

Can you tell us about the VR game you created?

I developed VR Missions as a stealth game for the Quest 2, a VR platform. I set it in a dystopian, cyberpunk city and your job is to sneak past the corporate security. I created a dark but colourful stylized virtual setting. I only had 12 weeks to create it, but I managed to create a prototype with three full levels and a very polished stealth system. I’m really proud of it, it’s a great portfolio piece and the most polished and complex game I have managed to make on my own.

What would you say to other women who are thinking of starting their education in tech?

Go for it! I know that tech has a reputation of being a bit of a boy’s club, but the other women in the industry will back you up. There’s a great sense of solidarity that women in tech have with one another. I have a close friend and mentor who is also a VR game developer and loves encouraging other women in tech. Whenever I thank her for her help and support, she says, “you’ll pay it forward once you’re more experienced.” I will definitely do that!

What are your goals for the future?

I want to build a career in the Canadian games industry with a focus on VR. And one day, I would love to found my own studio and work with a team of talented queer people. I really want to make VR games that people enjoy and that also shape our perspectives and experiences within pop culture.

—

Are you a critical thinker with a passion for innovation? Check out these popular programs offered at DC in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology:

It’s never too late to start a new career – Pivoting to PR and Communications at DC

Student spotlight – CLAUDIA NOSSEIR

After a long break from work to raise her family, Claudia Nosseir found herself at a fork in the road. Looking for a different direction from her original career path of psychology, Claudia decided returning to school was the best option.

Originally from Toronto, she explored many schools and was thrilled when her research led her to Durham College’s PR and Strategic Communications Advanced Diploma.

While her children thought it was funny that she was going back to school, she wanted to show them that it is never too late to achieve whatever you want. The three of them now study together!

We caught up with Claudia to learn more about her program, life and next steps.

Why did you decide to go back to school?

I felt it was the right time to complete a program I had been interested in for many years. I was incredibly intimidated entering a college program at this stage of my life, but the staff at DC were my cheerleading squad. Every time I would feel overwhelmed with the many responsibilities I was juggling, there would be someone there helping me back up and encouraging me to continue – always with a ‘yes you can, and you will’ attitude.

Why did you choose Public Relations and Strategic Communications at DC?

I was very particular about the college I chose and felt that Durham College was the right fit for my professional development. In Toronto, there are many communications options, but I was impressed with the curriculum and field placements the program at DC offered.

Within three months of being at school, I applied to the work-study program. I landed a part-time job – which has led to full-time summer employment – on the social media team in the college’s Communications and Marketing department. I was thrilled to be part of their team as this was the perfect complement to my studies. Just by being in the PR and Strategic Communications program, so many doors have already opened, confirming that I made the right decision to choose this program over others I had considered.

How do you balance school with your busy family life?

It’s not easy! I have many things on the go all the time, and I did struggle with time management at first. So, I took a Time Management webinar through the Student Academic Learning Services, and it provided me with strategies that I have used to be more efficient and it worked.

DC is a one-stop shop for your needs. They know what the students need and provide it. As a mature mom, I was very impressed with the college’s services, such as wellness supports and the financial aid office, which made the transition so seamless for me.

Why PR and Strategic Communications?

I chose PR and Strategic Communications because I had taken on various comms roles, such as writing speeches for others, editing, and presenting, during my previous work and volunteer experiences. I started to see a theme in what others came to me for, so I decided to explore this career path more and further develop the skills I already had.

Would you recommend the PR and Strategic Communications program to others?

Absolutely. I made the correct decision in choosing to take this program at DC. I am entering my second year and can’t wait to learn more. The support system in this program is amazing. My knowledge base for communications has increased significantly in just one year, as has my writing. The courses have been interesting and engaging and the material is very relevant and exciting. In addition, they have an impressive contact list for field placement partners, so I feel secure in the knowledge that I will be working as soon as I complete the program.

What advice do you have for other students who return to school later in life?

As I entered my first year, I saw that some students came in with a range of education, work and life experiences. Durham College embraced them all and offered services to accommodate everyone. Wherever you are in your life, DC has got you.

What advice do you have for others considering going into communications and PR?

Come to Durham College! You won’t be disappointed. It’s a fun, engaging and relevant program. There is a demand out there for communications roles, and from what I have seen so far, this program sets you up for success.