A “Windows of Opportunity” Expo Career Fair will be hosted by Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation students at the Barrie Campus of Georgian College on Feb. 7.

Leading employers in the hospitality, tourism, culinary and recreation industries are coming to the college to network with students and the public looking for careers in the field. They will be seeking new employees to work in food and beverage, event planning, office administration, customer service, adventure recreation and leisure and much more.

Businesses from our own backyard and across Canada will be represented. This is the perfect opportunity for those looking for successful and rewarding careers or co-operative seasonal employment.

The fair takes place in the gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome and admission is free.

For further information, check out the Expo Facebook page – search Georgian College HTR Expo 2012, or call the Expo office at 705-728-1968, ext. 6211.

 Students in the two-year CICE certificate program will have the opportunity to enhance their academic skills in their classes and develop vocational abilities during career-related, supervised field placements. During the program, students select an occupational focus and take courses in that area of concentration in addition to their mandatory courses.

Over the course of the two-year program, students will be supported by learning specialists and tutors who will assist in course modification, and help students build study skills. Learning specialists will work one-on-one with students to ensure that they receive the modifications they require for success.

Graduates of the CICE program will find a variety of entry level jobs depending on their area of concentration. The CICE program is currently offered at three other colleges in Ontario; Sault, Lambton, and Durham.

Renée Ferguson, faculty member in the Liberal Studies portfolio since 2003, is currently leading CICE program development. In addition to teaching, Renée has worked and volunteered within a variety of community social services since 2001. Her educational background includes a Masters in Psychology with a specialization in adaptive instruction and special education.  She can be reached at extension 6047 or rferguson@georgianc.on.ca.

DIPLOMAS, CERTIFICATES, GENERAL INTEREST COURSES, AND MORE!

Georgian offers a wide range of learning opportunities for everyone from the high school student thinking about a successful future to the retiree seeking a fulfilling recreational education experience. Continuing Education offers thousands of courses to help you pursue your personal lifelong learning ambitions.

Brush up on your conversational French for a trip to Paris, earn a professional designation, or get your motorcycle licence to hit the open road.

Many part-time classes start in January.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Register online at www.georgianc.on.ca/continuing-education or pick up a course calendar at your local Campus of Georgian College:

• Barrie Campus: businessservices@georgianc.on.ca
• Collingwood Campus: collingwood@georgianc.on.ca
• Midland Campus: midland@georgianc.on.ca
• Muskoka Campus: muskoka@georgianc.on.ca
• Orangeville Campus: orangeville@georgianc.on.ca
• Orillia Campus: pts-orillia@georgianc.on.ca
• Owen Sound Campus: owensound@georgianc.on.ca

The Centre is funded by Employment Ontario and helps bridge the gap between employers looking for workers and job seekers looking for long-term employment. Employers can get help in identifying their hiring needs and finding the right person for the job. Job seekers will find information and guidance to help with making a career decision, getting the skills they need, and finding and keeping work. The Centre also has information about government programs such as Second Career and Ontario Self Employment Benefits.

Job seekers and employers can drop into the Centre for help, or make an appointment for a one-on-one meeting or group workshop at no cost to them. The Centre also provides information on workplace safety, including the rights and responsibilities of individuals and employers, as well as local, provincial and national labour market information.

“Anyone who is looking for assistance with resume writing, interview tips, career advising and more can come to the Centre for Career and Employment Services,” says Patricia Whittington, Manager, Government and Employment Programs. “There are also services available for employers, such as free job postings and assistance with interview preparation.”

This Employment Ontario service is funded in part by the Government of Canada.

For more information on The Centre for Career and Employment Services, please contact Patricia Whittington at (705) 722-1505, ext. 1080.

Bondar says “When I was eight years old, to be a spaceman was the most exciting thing I could imagine.”

A childhood dream to be an astronaut was realized when Bondar launched from Earth in January 1992 aboard NASA’s space shuttle Discovery as the first neurologist in space and Canada’s first woman astronaut. As a payload specialist she conducted advanced scientific experiments for 14 nations.

Back on Earth, Bondar and her team of researchers examined data obtained from astronauts on 24 space missions to better understand the mechanisms underlying the body’s ability to recover from exposure to space.

Tickets are $20 for the public and $10 for students. For further information, contact Heather Dix at (705) 728-1968, ext. 1148.

Five of Georgian’s Fine Art students will compete in the butter sculpture competition. Students submitted a proposal representing the theme, Celebration of Local Foods: The 100-mile diet. All five Georgian proposals were accepted.

Georgian students competing include Jaclyn Geisberger and Elizabeth Hewson on Nov. 6; Tanya Lupo and Natalie McDonald on Nov. 7; and Chris Totten on Nov. 10. Students will have one day, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to complete their sculptures. Winning students will be invited to return and create an additional sculpture.

Four students from Georgian’s Culinary Management program will also compete at the Royal in Canada Can Cook, in which celebrity authors pair up with students from Nov. 5 to 7. The students are Tracy Derouin and Catlin Leforte (first-year Culinary Management); and Mauricio Melendez and Paulo Massimiliano (second-year Culinary Management). They are competing as an initiative of the Junior Muskoka and District Chefs Association, a student club mentored by Chef Philip Leach.

Twenty-four culinary students, from Georgian, Liaison College, Stratford Chefs School and George Brown College Chef School, will compete. Recipes are drawn from books on this year’s short list for the Canadian Culinary Book Awards, as well as past award-winning cookbooks. Working in pairs, students will be given a recipe and will have one hour and 20 minutes to prepare the dish. A panel of judges will decide who walks away with Cuisine Canada’s Best New Chef 2010. For a complete schedule, visit http://cuisinecanadascene.com/2010/10/21/canada-can-cook-hits-the-stage-at-the-royal/.

Ben came to Canada from China as an international student in 1986, and has first-hand experience adapting and adjusting to a new cultural and academic environment. He joins Georgian from the University of Toronto where he served as Director of the International Student Centre (ISC) for the past 12 years.

The ISC provides services to more than 8,600 international students from over 150 countries on an annual basis. In addition to Ben’s work at the University of Toronto, he has also been involved in various leadership activities related to international education:

Instructor for Intercultural Competency courses at Queen’s University’s International Education Training Program (IETP) Summer Institute since 2003.

Board Member, Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE), from 2000 through 2005.

Chair, Immigration Advisory Committee for CBIE, from 2000 to 2010.

Board member for International Educators Association of Canada (IEAC) from 2007 to 2010.

To recognize Ben’s contribution to the field of international education, the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) will be awarding him the 2010 Internationalization Leadership Award at its annual conference in Calgary later this month.

Growing Georgian’s international student numbers, diversifying our international student population and creating an environment where students, faculty and staff are exposed to different ways of living, learning and being are key elements to meeting our strategic vision: to inspire innovation, transform lives and connect communities through the power of education.

Ben will bring his warm personality and extensive international experience to build Georgian’s strength in the area of international education. Please join us in welcoming Ben to the Georgian team. He can be reached at byang@georgianc.on.ca

Michelle Langman

A second-year Advertising student at Georgian, Michelle was successful in receiving a grant from the government of Ontario’s Summer Company program. With it, she started her own jewellery company, shipping orders within Canada and the United States. “Starting my own business was the biggest challenge I have ever faced,” says Michelle. “There were so many unpredictable circumstances, from lost shipping orders to a rained-out event.”

These obstacles only made her stronger. Michelle’s future goal is to operate her own consulting company, specializing in social media and advertising. She plans to work one-on-one with other small businesses, to help them reach their promotional goals. “I think the key to success is collaboration to make positive change,” states Michelle. “It’s important that businesses support each other, and that people support local businesses in their community.”

Barb Watts, Associate Dean of the School of Business, Canadian Aviation Institute and the Canadian Automotive Institute, nominated Michelle for the ‘Future Woman in Business Award’ at the upcoming Women in Business luncheon on Oct. 21 at the Barrie Golf and Country Club.

“Michelle is an exceptional student who works very hard to reach her goals,” says Barb. “I know one day she will be a successful business owner.”

Michelle will be participating in the Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition at Sheridan College representing Georgian in November. We are cheering her and the Georgian team on for a successful competition, and we wish Michelle all the best in her award nomination.  With the challenges that she has faced and succeeded, Michelle is already a winner.

“It’s important for Georgian staff to embrace a healthy lifestyle, which includes being healthy at the workplace,” says Anne-Marie McAllister, Manager, Organizational Learning. “We want all staff to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle, at the workplace and outside of the workplace as well.”

 The day starts at 1 p.m. with a keynote speech and workshop entitled “Better Health…Are You Ready?” delivered by Employer’s Edge. Additional workshops that follow include “Healthy Eating on the Go”, “Desk Yoga” and “Stress Management Strategies.” Also available are health fair and information booths with representation from Weight Watchers, Georgian’s Athletic department and Health Partners Professionals.

A similar event will also take place on Oct. 28 at the Orillia Campus.

For more information on Georgian’s Healthy Workplace Day, please contact Anne-Marie McAllister at (705)728-1968, ext. 1649.