June 2, 2004: So you’ve got a degree — now what?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2004
Contact: Carol Cram
Tel: 604.986, 1911, local 2296

So you’ve got a degree — now what?

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.)—It’s graduation time and you’ve worked hard to get a degree. Now that you have it, do you think you have the marketable skills a modern workplace needs? Perhaps you’re already in the business world, but you’re going nowhere. Promotions are passing you by and you can’t seem to move up the ladder. Your skills are good, but not good enough.

Twenty-six-year-old North Vancouver resident, Martina Buch, had a good job running her own manufacturing company. Things were going well until a car accident took her out of the workforce for an entire year, forcing her to close her business. Stuck in a rut, she looked to Capilano College for help.

Last year, she enrolled in the new eight-month full-time Executive Support program and took a part-time job at the Capilano Care Centre as a receptionist.

“I learned a lot of computer skills, including programs that I never knew existed,” she said about the College program, “and I use them all in my new job.”

Her new job is still with the longterm care facility, but because of her additional expertise, Buch was offered the position of personnel manager. “The program definitely helped me get the promotion,” she said, “especially the organizational behaviour course.

“I’m doing staffing for nursing and aid workers, as well as payroll, benefits and all the other things done in human resources and I absolutely love it. I love working here and being a part of making a difference in people’s lives.”

The emphasis of the Exeuctive Support program is on developing skills in communication, writing, training, supervising, project administration and business computing.

“In addition to a work practicum, students will receive comprehensive training in advanced spreadsheet and database applications, document development, and presentation software skills,” says program convenor Carol Cram. They will also learn supervisory skills, computerized accounting, event planning, project management, and Web page design and maintenance.”

At least two years of post-secondary education or a Bachelor’s degree is preferred from applicants, however considerable work experience will be reviewed and may be accepted as the equivalent of educational prerequisites.

While Buch will be attending the graduation ceremony at the College on June 2, she is already thinking about returning for more education.

“I want to go back to Capilano College and get my business degree,” she said, explaining how the courses she took can be applied towards an undergraduate degree. “I guess I’ll be taking evening courses and working during the day, but that’s okay.

“All the teachers were so helpful and I really appreciate all that they did for me,” she added. “I’d recommend the program to anyone. As a matter of fact,” she laughed, “I already have.”

For more information, contact Carol Cram at 604.986.1911, ext. 2296, or at ccram@capilanou.ca . The Web site is www.capilanou.ca/abt.

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