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Beat goes on during Black History Month at DC

Durham College (DC) showcased its multicultural heritage by offering students and employees a variety of ways to embrace Black History Month in February.

DC’s Diversity Office hosted the Professional and Mentorship event on February 18, in partnership with the Congress of Black Women. Two hundred college students, as well as 12 high school students, were able to meet and connect with a diverse group of Black professionals from the community. This annual event provides an opportunity for students to hear about education choices and career paths.

“Black History Month is about awareness,” said Allison Hector-Alexander, diversity officer at DC. “It gives an opportunity for people of all cultures to celebrate and learn about the Black community.”

This year, DC students were also invited to embrace the rhythm within at an interactive drumming circle hosted in The Pit by Babarinde Williams. Students were welcome to grab a drum and join Williams, originally from Nigeria, as he shared stories and explained the spirit of Ubunto, the essence of being human.

“Humanity connects us all,” said Williams. “Everybody has rhythm. The first rhythm we hear is our mother’s heartbeat inside the womb. This heartbeat is responsible for all music.”

In African communities, the drum is used for many purposes. Williams brought with him a collection of Djemba, traditional African drums made from a single piece of wood. He encouraged students to participate by starting with a simple rhythm. He asked them to mimic the rhythm of their heartbeat. He then began teaching them the words and rhythms to more complicated songs. In no time, The Pit was filled with the sound of DC students and staff celebrating together.

“They are not my band,” explained Williams as he gestured to everyone drumming in unison around him. “I’ve never met them before! Drumming brings people together.”

DC students take on the BDC Case Challenge

On February 10, four Durham College (DC) students stepped up to the challenge at Vanier College in Montreal. The team of students were chosen to compete in the 10th annual BDC Case Challenge, a marketing case competition involving colleges from across the country.

The team placed fourth out of 33 teams, the first time DC has made it into the finals for this annual competition. Marketing students Christian Schortemeyer, Madelaine Cox, and Michelle Lavender joined by Dan Cole, a student from the Entrepreneurship program, worked together to analyze a business problem and create an innovative marketing plan. After three hours, and no internet access, the teams were required to share their plan with a panel of judges and an audience in a 20-minute presentation.

“It was an amazing opportunity to finally put my knowledge and creativity to the test. It was so interesting to hear the ideas of other students from all across Canada,” said Lavender. “The BDC Case Challenge was the highlight of my schooling. It was challenging but also a lot of fun and I am so honoured to have helped Durham position in fourth for the first time ever.”

This weekend-long event, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), gives students an opportunity to apply the skills they have developed in the classroom to a real-world situation. Professors from the School of Business, IT & Management handpicked the students based on their performance in their Case Analysis course.

“When you strive to do your best in any course, there can be unexpected bonuses,” said Schortemeyer. “The extra experiences that you can say you’ve been a part of make college fun and make DC a place to remember!”

New program helps students insure future

Durham College (DC) hosted an information night on February 24 to showcase the college’s new two-year Insurance program and help students gain insight into a career in this thriving industry.

The free information session included a welcome message from Judy Spring, dean, School of Business, IT & Management, a keynote address from Trevor Buttrum, Career Connections program co-ordinator at the Insurance Institute and a panel discussion with leading industry experts.

“The most important skill you should have as a member of this industry is communication,” said Keith Miller, W.B. White Insurance & Financial Ltd. “You may get a call where it will be crucial that you are able to comfort the customer and be compassionate while ensuring you are gathering the information necessary to assess their situation.”

The insurance industry has been growing steadily in Ontario since 2005 and has seen an increase in employment above the provincial growth rate. DC is pleased to now offer a program in such a dynamic industry that employs more than 77,000 Ontarians.

The two-year program provides a broad exposure to business with a specialization in general insurance. Students will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge in policies and legislation, fraud awareness and client management to achieve a rewarding career in a thriving industry.

“The greatest misconception about the insurance industry is that it’s one that can be learned in a short time,” said Adam Hare, Petley-Hare Limited, Insurance Brokers. “It’s always evolving and changing and has so much to offer.”

Program graduates will have a number of career choices including appraiser, broker or agent, claims adjuster, customer service representative, loss control specialist, risk manager or underwriter – just to name a few. They will also have the opportunity to earn eight credits (out of 10) towards the internationally recognized Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation.

If you’re a people person with a flair for numbers and an interest in risk management, a career in insurance could be the path for you. Learn more at www.durhamcollege.ca/programs/insurance or join us at our Open House on Saturday, March 21.

Team Experience members interview with Channel 12 News

They’ve posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram more than 20,000 times, they’ve received more than 150,000 hits on YouTube, and they’ve shared more than 100 insightful blogs. They are Durham College’s (DC) Team Experience, and they’re at it again, sharing their college experience in a fun and quirky interview with Channel 12 News.

“I think being able to see what students are up to first-hand is a great way for other students to connect,” said Matisse Hamel-Nelis, member of Team Experience and student in DC’s Public Relations program. “By sharing my experiences I want to let people know that if I can do it, they can do it too.” 

The interview, which aired in Durham Region, Peterborough and Kingston on Thursday, February 19, highlighted the innovative Experience DC campaign, which follows the lives of 14 unique students who are living the college life.

“So many people think college kids come straight from high school, but that’s not always true,” said Rebecca Haslam, Team Experience member and student in the Special Event Planning program. “College students are from all walks of life and the diversity amongst Team Experience members reflects this.”

In following the Team Experience members, prospective students can find someone to relate to. Whether it’s a parent balancing schoolwork with family life, a student on a journey to study in Canada from abroad, a first-year student straight from high school or a returning grad, there are stories and insights coming from Team Experience that will be relevant to them.

You can meet members of Team Experience at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses during spring Open House on Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ask questions, tour the campus and experience DC for yourself. Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/openhouse for more information.

You’re Hired! Durham College Students Network at Job Fair

More than 1,600 Durham College (DC) and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) students had the opportunity to meet with more than 60 companies who are actively hiring at the 2015 DC/UOIT Job Fair on February 4.

This year’s focus was on networking, which meant students could sit down and have meaningful conversations with recruiters by asking questions and learning more about the opportunities offered by the diverse range of businesses represented at the fair.

“In today’s competitive job market, face-to-face interaction when going through the job application process can be rare, but we know networking can give candidates a competitive edge,” said Tara Blackburn, director, Career Services. “Durham College has established some very strong relationships with businesses in a variety of sectors that recognize the talent our graduates possess and the Job Fair is a chance to bring both parties together.”

A mentoring lounge was new this year, giving attendees the opportunity to mingle with business leaders, local entrepreneurs, and alumni, to learn tried and true ways of succeeding in today’s labour market.

“As a first time student attendee at the Job Fair, I was excited to see how many recruiters were present and eager to discuss my future,” said Nicole Paris, a third-year Law Clerk – Advanced student. “I had the opportunity to discuss current opportunities with employers, all who were extremely genuinely interested in the potential I have to contribute to their team. I was also able to network, which will be a big help after graduation.”

For more information about career opportunities, employer profiles and job search tips students, employers, faculty and staff can visit DC’s Hired Portal.

DC announces winners of its Experience Video Contest

Durham College (DC) has announced the winners of its first-ever Experience Video contest. Christine Carson, Ivan Nimtsiv and Saiss Parthipan created the top three videos and won $1,000 in cash!

Launched via the Experience DC campaign, the Experience Video Contest was open to any resident from across Ontario over the age of 15. Entrants were encouraged to submit a 15-second Instagram video about a life experience, and the top three videos with the most votes received the cash prize.

“I look at life in a positive sense, I have the will to win, the desire to succeed and the urge to reach my full potential,” said winner Ivan Nimtsiv, first-year Human Resources – Business student. “This money will help me to pay for school.”

Saiss, a second-year UOIT student, said he saw the contest on Facebook and decided that his video would share life from a student’s perspective.

Mom and Oshawa resident, Christine, found out about the contest online and decided to submit a video featuring her baby Reid. “Everyone loves babies and baby videos,” she said.

With more than 27,000 visits to its web page and over 10,000 votes on video submissions, the contest provided an opportunity for residents across Ontario to share their story with a group of 14 dynamic DC students known as Team Experience and falls perfectly in line with the multi-platform Experience DC campaign.

Team Experience has been sharing their own stories of college life since September 2014. They’ve connected on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram 20,000 times, on YouTube 150,000 times, and through more than 100 insightful blogs, giving followers an authentic, real-time account of what life at DC is like from their own perspective.

“It was great to see everyone’s creativity shine through in their 15-second videos,” said Matisse Hamel-Nelis, a second-year Public Relations student and member of Team Experience. “The word experience can mean different things to different people and this contest captured that essence. Congratulations to the winners and all those who submitted a video for sharing a piece of your day-to-day life with us.”

Anyone wanting to follow the adventures of the Team Experience members can visit www.durhamcollege.ca/x to check them out, and be a part of it.

Save the date – Campus Master Plan open house

Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) are hosting a Campus Master Plan (CMP) Community Open House on March 9. Students, faculty, staff and the public are invited to learn more about the future Oshawa campus expansion of DC and UOIT; interact with the CMP planning team; and offer feedback on the areas of:

  • Public areas and open spaces.
  • Building locations and landscaping.
  • Transportation: driving, transit, cycling and pedestrian

    When: Monday, March 9

    Time:

  • Quick session: noon – Gordon Willey building, DC Pit
  • Quick session: 1 p.m. – UA Science building, West Atrium
  • Full session: 3:30 to 6 p.m. – Dining Room (Room G213), Gordon Willey building

For more information on the CMP and the Open House, please visit www.campusmasterplan.ca.

Coca-Cola gives DC students a sweet surprise

On January 29, students passing through The Pit at Durham College’s (DC) Oshawa campus couldn’t help but notice the big red and white vending machine that said “Hug Me.” The Coke Hug Machine came to campus and rewarded those who showed it some huggable affection with a free can of Coca-Cola.

The machine, the only one in Ontario, operates as part of the Coca-Cola ‘Open Happiness’ campaign.

“It was interesting to watch how students reacted when they saw the machine,” said Jacob Moss, a first-year Advertising student and member of DC’s Team Experience, “It was a complete surprise for all the students and it definitely created buzz on campus. It didn’t matter what people felt like when they came to school today, everyone who hugged the machine left with a smile, not to mention a free can of Coke.”

Durham College was lucky enough to host the machine on both its Whitby and Oshawa campuses. More than 1,800 cans of Coke were dispensed in exchange for 1,800 hugs!

Watch students give hugs and receive a Coke.

 

DC grads give warm thanks from a cold city

After graduating from Durham College’s (DC) Addictions and Mental Health Graduate Certificate program in 2014, Kait Ainsworth and Kendall Stoiner landed out west, where they struck gold.

Within two weeks of renting a condo in downtown Edmonton, Alta., both women found meaningful employment in their field. Alberta Health Services hired Ainsworth as an addictions counsellor focused on youth treatment programs, while Stoiner was hired by the George Spady Society as an addictions worker in the detox centre to oversee pre-screenings, admissions, counselling and discharge planning.

“At both our places of work, everyone has been astounded by our level of education and knowledge of mental health and addiction issues,” Stoiner wrote in a recent email to Kenneth Lomp and Daniel Blomme, professors with the School of Health & Community Services. “We both speak very highly of the program at DC, and our training has been helpful in both our jobs.”

Stoiner added that it has been wonderful maintaining a friendship and living with someone who took the same program and works in the same field.

“Even though it’s currently minus 25 degrees, we love Edmonton and our jobs, and are very happy we made the decision to move here,” said Stoiner. “We would both like to thank DC for preparing us so well for what we would face in this field in the real world.

DC staff celebrate students

Students got a tasty welcome to school after the snowstorm Monday as Durham College (DC) held Student Appreciation Day on February 3.

“Student Appreciation day is a day when we take pause to recognize our students and their efforts in pursuing their goals,” said Tara Blackburn, director of Student Life. “A cookie and hot beverage in February can hit the spot when studying and prepping assignments!”

Wearing their I Heart DC T-shirts, college staff showed their appreciation for students by helping to give out cookies and coupons for a free hot beverage at any Aramark location on campus. Don Lovisa, president of DC, was also on the scene, to greet and chat with students as they made their way around campus.

Upon seeing the hustle and bustle of the cookie initiative, Charlie Qaqish, a first-year General Arts and Science – Liberal Arts student, jumped right in to help.

“I love doing things like this; giving people a smile,” said Qaqish. “It’s great to make people feel like they are here. I’ve always wanted to do something like this.”

The day was a big hit with thousands of cookies and coupons distributed, and students had the opportunity to share what they love about DC on social media using the #iheartdc hash tag for a chance to win cool swag.