Academic News

For term two of Community Older Adults Clinical, a group of students were at Windsor Park Place; however, due to the pandemic, clinical practice has required some modifications and creativity. Since students had very limited site visits, they had to rely on other means to identify health needs in the community. The tenant resource coordinator for the building was very helpful in providing a list of ideas for the public health education topics based on needs she identified in this building, and students choose the topic “Nutrition: Diabetes and Healthy Heart” in term one, which included providing the chef at the building with a recipe booklet, and “Staying Physically and Mentally Active”, for the second term, since this topic is very relevant to the current situation, with many tenants being isolated and with a lack of activities, both physically and mentally.

Students also conducted a windshield survey, which consisted of driving around the area and looking up some statistics and community resources online. In term two, students identified two areas of concern. First, there are no big box stores (such as Superstore, Sobeys, or Walmart) near Windsor Park Place, and secondly, students noted a lack of road signs pertaining to speed limits in the area. In conversation with some local residents who were out walking during this assignment, students found out that they are concerned about speeding in the area. One sign was also occluded by tree branches. Students discussed ways to help address these issues and made some phone calls. They then wrote a letter to the local MP, expressing their concern for safety due to speeding in the area, advocating for proper signage, repositioning of the obstructed sign and a crosswalk on Elizabeth Road. Additionally, students made a brochure to inform the tenants at Windsor Park Place about grocery stores, transportation, medical services, government services and some other relevant services in the area.

Post by Janet Zacharias – Nursing Instuctor

If you live in the Portage la Prairie or Winkler area and are interested in learning more about our Bachelor of Nursing program, register for our upcoming online information session.

The session takes place March 22 from 6-8pm and will cover admission requirements, how to apply, and general information about the BN program.

This Bachelor of Nursing program takes place at the Portage Campus, Portage la Prairie, MB and Winkler Campus, Winkler, MB. Seats are open to residents of Manitoba’s Southern Health Region only.

Register today!

During the code red public health orders throughout Manitoba this January 2021, second year Red River College Nursing students in their Health Promotion of the Older Adult Community rotation had to “think outside the box”.

Their goal is to connect with the older adult population to promote health and wellness. They also collaborate with the Healthy Aging Resource Teams in Winnipeg, community centers, My Health Teams, or other Older Adult resources within the community. During the pandemic, students connect via the telephone with volunteer members of the community where students assess health needs, provide teaching sessions, and practice therapeutic communication.

A challenge that this group of students met head on is “how to promote health as a public education event in a pandemic at a population level”. This group of students collaborated with the Elmwood/East Kildonan Active Living Seniors Centre to hold a “Facebook Live” event on Wellness, Mindfulness, and Optimism. Eight students participated in the thirty minute presentation geared to the over 240 members of the active living community center. To view the presentation just visit the site: Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre page. This is a great example of how Red River College faculty and students are striving to adapt to this unprecedented situation and contribute to the well-being of our older adult population.

Some student reflection on this learning experience:

“Although I was very nervous to be presenting online for so many to see, it was a great experience, and I was happy we were still able to deliver some health education to that community during the unforeseen circumstances of a pandemic.” Samantha Harvie SNRRC

“The Facebook Live event was a creative way to reach out to older adults in the community. The experience gave me and my clinical group the chance to collaborate together while we navigated a new platform to present to older adults.” Madison Macaulay, SNRRC

“My first time doing a Facebook Live for a class was a great experience. As a student nurse learning how to maneuver in the community in a safe manner was a struggle because of all the extra precautions we had to take to limit physical contact. A lot of nursing is hands on or in person; doing a Facebook Live event was a great new way to reach the community and provide care to those who watched. We were able to get a positive message across in a pandemic safe way.” Alyssa Rasmussen, SNRRC

“It was nice to connect with the older adult population in this COVID 19 pandemic time. It gave both of us a purpose of looking forward to communicating with each other.” Megan Small, SNRRC

This clinical experience is constantly adapting to help Red River College Bachelor of Nursing students meet the needs of the older adult community through collaboration and adapting. Students are inspired and motivated through the unique experiences.

Post written by Bonnie Peers and Tracey McCulloch – Nursing Instructors

The biggest thing I learned in the Business Administration program wasn’t any one particular course or skill. It wasn’t economics or digital marketing or consumer behaviour. Rather, my biggest takeaway was learning a business mindset.

Through real world experiences, challenging problems to solve, teamwork, and personal instruction, I found myself building a foundation. I began forming an attitude that looks for opportunities, gathers resources, mobilizes others, and takes action—even when results aren’t guaranteed. This was especially true in the entrepreneurship course, where I helped to lead a team in creating a business plan from start to finish.

The real test, however, was to see if this newly acquired business mindset would work in the outside world. I’m thankful that it did, as I started a dream job in my field just three days after taking my final exam. This foundation built at Red River College enabled me to start off strong in the workplace, and it’s been serving me well since then.

To any prospective business student, I encourage you to jump into the program with both feet. Dig in and make the most of your experiences, the wisdom of your instructors, and the opportunities you’re given. This season of learning is just the beginning for you.

My name is Stephany Opyc and if I were asked to describe my two-year journey through the Business Administration program in one word, it would be, ‘success.’ Graduating in the Spring of 2019 with honors through the Marketing stream wasn’t my only success story. From becoming a successful tutor in Business Computing to working on a marketing communications proposal through the Applied Projects course, my stay at Red River College was more than just graduating with a diploma.

The classrooms at the Notre Dame Campus were full of relevant and current material that I now use every day in my current marketing position. While the course material and textbooks have provided me with a great deal of my business knowledge, the credit must also be shared with my amazing instructors at the College. These instructors are more than teachers, but mentors who coached, educated, and taught me course material. In fact, some of the most valuable lessons I took away from RRC were taught under Harv Mock and Janine Carmichael, two very passionate and knowledgeable instructors who made a very positive impact on me, in more ways than one, during my stay.

Some of the most memorable and largest takeaways were through the opportunities provided outside the classroom. One of which that was particularly influential was through the Business Solutions Team. This applied learning volunteer program allowed me to take the textbook knowledge that I gained from the classroom and apply it to real-world situations. Our incredible team of 10 developed a comprehensive business plan for a group of Manitoba investors and was the best experience I was proud to be apart of at the college. Additionally, the reference letter from the investors made a strong influence on the hiring decision of my current employer.

My Journey at Red River College has been one of the best decisions I have made for myself as a growing individual and I am proud to be a graduate of the program. I have learned a great deal from all my courses and my instructors; however, the additional opportunities offered outside the classroom were some of the best learning experiences I was honored to be apart of. If you are considering taking the Business Administration program, remember that it is more than just a diploma, it is a success story.

I graduated the Business Administration Diploma Program as a Financial Services Major at Red River College in 2018. Currently, I am a Collections Contact Officer with the Canada Revenue Agency.

My time at Red River College helped me achieve my goals through the vast opportunities you are exposed to, including a direct path to my current career. You will receive a well-rounded education, gain knowledge that will help you in your career and everyday life, and cultivate valuable networking opportunities.

The instructors were hands down the most influential part of my college experience. Having someone teach the courses that has come from the industry allowed us to gain first-hand knowledge that was actually useful. The instructors were candid, intelligent, and overall great people. I attribute a lot of my success to the wonderful people who raised us for those two years.

Two experiences at the College that stand out most for me are the CIFP Case Challenge and the First Impressions Recruitment Event. I participated in and led the first-ever RRC team for the CIFP Case Challenge. We flew to Calgary to compete in the West and won against Universities that had been studying finance for a year longer than us. Winning that competition got us an all-expense paid trip to Halifax to compete nationally. It was an experience that I will never forget and has allowed me to excel in my career that I likely would not have without the First Impression Recruitment Event. The “F.I.R.E.” was essentially speed-dating but with potential employers. I had eight 12-minute interviews in one day with various banks, insurance companies, and the Government. I had my first interview with the CRA through the F.I.R.E. which led me to the job I’m in today.

College wasn’t all about academics for me. I participated in every volunteer opportunity available, such as the RRC Food Bank, Research and Innovation Day, Business Technology Management Talent Mash, and the Intercultural Mentorship program. I was also a tutor and First Year Student Mentor and sat on the Student’s Association Board. Volunteering not only looks great on a resume and scholarship applications, but it was rewarding in many other ways.

My advice to those considering this program: Do it. It’s an incredible experience that has set me up for life. Ensure that you get involved with the College and your campus and you will gain experiences and friends for life.

I graduated from the Red River College Business Administration program in the Spring of 2019. What struck me most during my time there was how practical and all-encompassing the program was. Having an interest in people and commerce, I am thankful to have been a part of a program which guided me through a wide range of curriculum, assignments and presentations.

There is something to be said for the small class sizes and instructors that know you by name. The program takes a holistic approach to applied training and education that helped me find and develop my interests and pushed me to excel.

Events like the Directions Business Conference and First Impressions Recruitment Event (FIRE) offer a great chance to meet fellow students, cultivate relationships with local professionals and develop rapport with potential employers. I was lucky enough to have met my future recruiter at the Directions Conference through an instructor I had in my first year of classes. I would recommend taking up any chance you have to “shake a hand” (or bump an elbow…) to build your network. Most importantly, if you are curious about how someone got to where they are now – ASK! The world is a kind and giving place and those within the RRC Alumni/business community are always willing to help.

My one piece of advice to new students would be to extend yourself. Get out of your comfort zone and watch yourself grow! I had the opportunity to take part in the Vanier National Marketing Case Challenge, which sees three marketing majors travel to Montreal and compete in a pressure-cooker style pitch event with other Canadian colleges. This competition and the training involved allowed me to develop and practice my ability to think quickly, critically and persuasively. This primed me for future job interviews, gave me confidence to promote myself and skills not only in the interview process, but through day-to-day life.

For those considering enrolment into the RRC BA program, go into it with an open mind and drive to learn. Be prepared to be challenged and inspired. You will graduate not only with a diploma, but with a network of learned skills, applications and relationships you will be proud to carry with you post grad.

Mitch Doell
Manager, Partnership Services for True North Sports + Entertainment (Winnipeg Jets)

My time at Red River College was everything I could have asked for in an education. The course load, instructors, classmates, and course material were extremely beneficial in preparing me for the workforce after graduation. I found that the courses offered in the Business Administration program were very similar to what I have learned at my job at True North, which makes the transition into working full-time easier.

Learning to speak in front of colleagues to present new material, working with the marketing team to track impressions on our social media and website, learning computing programs (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), learning how to talk to clients over the phone and in person are only a few aspects that have helped me in the workforce.

What stands out to me over my time at Red River College that prepared me for a career in business is the course load and actual course material, as mentioned above. I felt like the courses offered prepared me for what I have experienced so far in my time at my current job. Lots of the time people will graduate and move into an occupation and not utilize what they have learned in school. This is not the case when attending and graduating RRC.

Having a tight-knit group of classmates that I spent time with outside of school was very beneficial. Originally being from a town outside of Winnipeg, getting to know peers who have grown up in Winnipeg helped me find job opportunities that I may not have known about otherwise and helped me build connections with possible employers.

If you are looking into enrolling in RRC Business Admin, I would suggest that you most definitely do it. Once you have enrolled and started the program, make sure you use your time wisely and make sure to use your organization skills effectively. Things can get hectic with 6 different courses in a semester so making sure you are organized and attending classes is imperative to one’s success.

The opportunities that the course has presented to me have been invaluable and were a big help in finding my current job. Being a graduate of RRC holds a lot of weight as many employers in Manitoba recognize the skills and education acquired at this school, something I may not have thought too much about at the start. Overall, a fantastic and worthwhile experience.

I came to Canada for the first time in 2018 to pursue my passion to learn, grow and be globally competitive. Some would say it was a very scary thing coming all alone from the Philippines, but it went smoothly because of an organized system and the warmth of the Winnipegers.

There were lots of colleges and universities available to choose from, but I was looking for a school that focused on applied learning rather than theoretical. That is why I selected Red River College, true enough to stand being named as Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning and research using hands-on and online opportunities with state-of-the-art instruction. I chose the Business Administration program as I have a Business, Finance and Accounting background from the Philippines and the Sultanate of Oman. I wanted to learn how these fields of study are being put to use in Canada during the financial crisis.

The BA program makes sure that courses are abreast and relevant with constant collaboration and consultation with the industries. The method of instruction and the number of students per class is just right. Instructors are able to identify areas of weakness in students and help them. One of the things that I love at Red River College is how they use the various courses to develop soft skills that would be a great advantage in the real business world. Each course develops our skills in time management, planning, organizing, discipline and becoming a team player.

There are lots of opportunities to be involved including volunteering and social and extra-curricular activities that would connect a student to the business world. I could say being active in Business Solutions Team, First Impressions Recruitment Event, Directions Conference, Tutoring services opened a lot of job opportunities for me even while still at school.

One of the most challenging times we had is when the COVID pandemic emerged while we were still at school. I am a witness to how RRC, instructors and academic staff worked proactively and unselfishly to deliver our programs online without any interruption. That is why I was able to graduate without any delay within the expected time frame.

I am very grateful to RRC, all instructors and academic staff that equipped me to what I am today.

No one’s career path goes exactly to plan, and mine has taken me to places and industries I would never have imagined it would. I completed a certificate program in Computer Networking at Red River College in 2010, only to immediately fall into the transportation industry in a completely unrelated job role for several years. However, when the opportunity presented itself to continue my post-secondary education, I knew that I wanted to return to Red River College.

I have always found ways to draw on my experiences at Red River College no matter what I’m doing. RRC instructors do an amazing job of making each course relatable and relevant to the “real world”, and they also provide opportunities for students develop and hone the soft skills required in the workforce today.

My advice to students considering enrolment in the Business Administration program would be to look beyond just the program outline and course syllabuses. There are endless extracurricular opportunities at RRC that will help you grow as an individual and a leader. Try your best to say yes to every opportunity to get involved inside and outside of the classroom. Your effort in this regard will repay you exponentially.

The Intercultural Mentorship Program allowed me to learn about the lived experiences of someone from a completely different culture, which was not something that was accessible to me having grown up in a small rural Manitoba town. Serving as a representative on the Red River College Student Association gave me an opportunity to advocate on behalf of my fellow students and learn about how the college environment operates behind the scenes. Participating in the Applied Projects extracurricular course gave me the opportunity to work on a real-world marketing project for a local non-profit organization.

I secured a job offer three months before graduation thanks to the First Impressions Recruitment Event (FIRE) which allowed me to interview with several employers of choice in the industry I wanted to work in.

As I prepare to return to the college for a third time, this time in a continuing education program, I am confident that Red River College will once again help me learn skills that will help me reach my new goals.