When I graduated from high school I had decided to attend university in my hometown with dreams of one day becoming a teacher. Two years into my Arts degree I felt uninspired and as though I was wasting my time sitting in a class with 100 others known only as a student ID number to their prof, so I decided that it was a good time to take a year off to contemplate my next move.
Flash forward three years. I had returned to Nova Scotia after working abroad and had becoming increasingly interested in computers and technology, particularly in website design and development. Remembering that intro computer class I had taken at university and how I was handed a website template and told how to fill it out, but not taught what the code within the template meant, I knew I needed more information and skill-building instruction than university would give me.
After talking to others who had gone the college route, I enrolled in the Business Information Technology one year program at the Strait Area Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College. Within the first week of classes I knew I had made an excellent decision. I discovered I had entered into a world where instructors with real-life experience could teach and provide real-life examples. I was no longer a student ID number to the institution or to the instructors, but rather I was a part of a group of adults who were there to learn and/or upgrade skills. This course provided me with knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, Accounting fundamentals, and a foundation in website design and development, which led me to my next educational step… and my next diploma.
In fall 2001, I began the two year Information Technology: Web Development program at the NSCC Truro Campus. During this two year program I learned in a hands-on atmosphere with a small class size where teamwork and collaboration were often required. Again, having skilled instructors with patience and applicable hands-on experience made learning an enjoyable adventure – even when working in the computer labs on campus at midnight!
Following graduation in spring 2003 I worked in a technical position where my skills were not being fully utilized. I knew in order to move ahead that I would need more training and on a whim in summer 2004 I applied and was accepted into the Advanced Diploma in Public Relations program at the Institute of Technology campus and five weeks later I was in the classroom. This was to become one of the most exhausting, challenging and rewarding years of my life. Teamwork and many late nights spent perfecting a report, speech, group newsletter or tweaking design or photo editing projects were all essential parts of the program. The instructors once again treated students as individuals, provided real-life experiences and demanded we treat this course as if it was our career in order to prepare us for the “real world”. This was crucial to my future personal and professional successes.
Four years post graduation and I am now working in a provincial government position and utilizing both my web development and public relations skills on a daily basis. I am very grateful for the education and experience I received throughout my four years in the Nova Scotia Community College system and will continue to share my experiences with others regarding the level of training and preparation for the “real world” I received.