Career Start program successful, looking to grow

Career Start gives practical experience and a lucrative position in their field of study to
Douglas College students while they attend part-time

hile currently only a
pilot program with one
year behind it, Career

Start has yielded extremely
positive results for at least one of
the students who completed it.

Kathy Nowak successfully
graduated from Douglas College with a Business Management
diploma and has continued working in the Retail Management
Training Program with Canadian Western Bank, one of two
current sponsor companies in the Career Start program.

A companion to the co-op program and a practical
extension of what one is learning in the classroom, the Career
Start program provides a jump-start to both job experience
and networking opportunities that every college graduate
needs to develop their skills and expertise of their field. It also
helps to provide means to earn the necessary funds to help one
complete studies without the abrupt stop-start process of co-op
education.

“It’s an enhancement [to what one is learning in the
classroom]. It began for students who had done very well
in their courses, and could only manage one or two courses
at a time because they need to work to support themselves.
It’s helping reduce [barriers to education] like tuition costs,
and giving students money for living expenses, all the while
helping them get to the end of their program,” explained
Lianne Johnston, placement officer for the Office of Co-
operative Education.

According
to Hazel Postma,
associate vice
president, external
relations, the
partnerships have proven mutually beneficial, exemplified in
Ron Baker, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of
Canadian Western Bank’s response. When asked if he would
hire a Business Management graduate such as Kathy Nowak
again, Baker affirmed, “There is no doubt I would.”

“It’s another way to give students an opportunity to work
while they go to school. As approximately 60 per cent of our
students are part-time students, they don’t fit the criteria of
co-op because you have to be a full-time student... So they
thought of another way to include students who don’t fit co-op
requirements, but can still gain the experience and at the end
of the day are walking away with a diploma or degree, with
the credentials of their education, plus, in Kathy’s case, she

 

 

 

“When asked if he would hire a [participant] again, Baker
affirmed, ‘There is no doubt | would.’”

Ron Baker and Kathy Nowak

had a full-time position,” said Johnston.

While thus far Business and Commerce students have the
jump on positions, as Canadian Western Bank and Scotiabank
are the only two companies signed to the program at this point,
students connected with Hospitality Management can take note
that Johnston, and Dana Wakabayashi, co-operative education
coordinator are set to
meet with Enterprise
Rent-A-Car, who already
participate in the co-
op program by hiring
students into management
programs geared as long-term positions within the company.

Any faculty head instructor may put the names of students
who show professionalism, responsibility and commitment to
their field forward for the program. Students may self-nominate
as well.

Students are invited to look at their current jobs and speak
to their companies about considering a partnership with Douglas
College through the Career Start program.

“When it starts at the grassroots, it doesn’t have to be
driven by senior management” as Johnston put it, and she
invited students to contact them at wakabayd@duglas.bc.ca with
information regarding possible new sponsor companies.

 

Harper appoints new senators

New Senate appointments may signal a forthcoming fall election

By John Morrison Ill, News Editor

senators on August 27, marking 27 Senate appointments
since December.

The last time Harper appointed new senators was shortly
before he asked Governor General Michaélle Jean to prorogue
parliament in the wake of the formation of a coalition of the
Liberals, Bloc Québécois, and New Democrats.

The Conservatives may feel threatened by a looming
election and as a
result are stacking

P= Minister Stephen Harper appointed nine new

None of the rookie nine senators hail from B.C. In fact,
B.C. has the highest ratio of population to senator, with six
British Columbian senators representing 685,581 people each.
This is contrasted by Maritime provinces New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia who boast 10 senators each, representing fewer
than 91,000 people per senator.

The new senators are comprised mainly of Conservative
Party staffers, failed Conservative candidates, and figures
from Canadian journalism. It does not come as a surprise as
December’s 18 appointments included failed MP candidate

Fabian Manning,
broadcaster

the Senate with “The new senators are comprised mainly of Conservative Party staffers, pamela Wallen and

supporters. As
of August 27,
the Senate is
comprised of 53 Liberals, 46 Conservatives, two Progressive
Conservatives, and four non-aligned senators, with the
Conservatives slowly creeping up on the Liberal’s majority.

Stephen Harper had previously supported what was
referred to as a “Triple-E” Senate (equally distributed among
the provinces, elected by the public, and effective as it is
believed that senators would work harder to be re-elected).
Currently, the Governor General selects senators on advice
from the Prime Minister.

4

 

failed Conservative candidates, and figures from Canadian journalism.”

conservative CTV host
Mike Duffy.

The Constitution
Act outlines the qualifications of senators. Would-be senators
must be both citizens of Canada and at least 30 years of
age to be eligible for appointment. They must also reside in
the provinces or territories for which they are appointed. A
position on the Senate is a part-time job for which they are
compensated $130,400 annually. Senators are forced to retire
at age 75, at which time they receive pension of $82,000
annually.

 

Attractive newspaper staff hosts open house

The Other Press hosted an open house on August
15 at the New Westminster campus. New students
dropped by The Other Press office between 11
a.m. and 3 p.m. to learn about the newspaper,

its sections, possibilities for employment and
snacks.

Over 150 students attended in all, many of
whom are featured in this week’s Word on the
Street in our special Welcome Back section

Those interested in writing for The Other
Press can contact our editor in chief Liam Britten
at editor@theotherpress.ca for further details.
The Other Press is also hiring for the position
of staff reporter for the news section. It is a paid
position.

Thoagles College Seniaens Anbeciadion tocbeld treats

The Douglas College Business Association is
holding a series of frosh events to help introduce
students to Douglas College. Their booth at
Douglas College’s Week of Welcome will offer
beverage giveaways, a chance to win an iPod
Shuffle, putt-putt golf, and an opportunity to
purchase tickets to the DCBA’s Welcome Back
Pub Night, which takes place at eet Below
y, September 10. -
tickets cost $3 and include —

       

personality and other points of commonality)

_ were reported as the two biggest factors in —

attraction. The group also found females _
See