This year, Camosun College’s annual CamWeek, running from Feb. 23-25, has moved entirely online.
To accommodate restrictions on in-person gatherings, the on-campus information night has gone virtual. Students will have the opportunity to learn about admissions, services including financial aid and awards, programs and areas of study from the comfort of their own homes.
“While we wish we could see prospective students in real life, this actually allows us to reach more people,” Recruitment and Admissions Advisor Megan Hale says.
“Students in Alberta, Saskatchewan and even up Island can participate easily in these sessions.”
Information sessions will last approximately 45 minutes, giving students enough time to take a break before the next event. There will also be opportunities to chat live with someone from recruitment and admissions at any time during the event where specific questions are welcome.
“It’s a big decision to move to Victoria, and we want to make sure that our students are armed with enough knowledge to make the right choice for them,” Hale adds.
This year’s CamWeek will feature presentations from areas including arts & science, sports & exercise, business, technology, health & human services, trades, and the Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections.
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt the workforce, it is the perfect time to consider upgrading skills or pursuing a new field.
“Now is the perfect opportunity to take some courses and figure out your next steps,” Hale says.
“We know that going back to school can be intimidating at any time. Whether you’re brand new to post-secondary education or if it’s been 25 years since you’ve been in school, it can all be overwhelming.”
Camosun’s recruitment and admissions department is there to help students determine their educational goals and establish a roadmap for meeting them. CamWeek is one way to get a feel for the school’s offerings, but Hale and her colleagues are also available for individual guidance at any time.
“We have students that call all the time, ranging from students in their last year of high school to people in their late 50s who are considering going back to school for the first time in years,” Hale says.
“We can help you figure out how to navigate post-secondary, make sure you’re in the program you want, and that you’re taking the right classes to get where you want to go.”
That individual attention is part of the Camosun College advantage.
Camosun is one of the largest public colleges in B.C., with two campuses at Lansdowne and Interurban, offering more than 160 programs.
Its educational offerings include university transfer and applied degree programs, career and trades training, upgrading, and preparatory programs.
Despite its size and breadth of offerings, the school offers a personalized experience with a cap on class sizes, with most classes averaging 24 people. That means students can access the individual support, care, and attention not found in many post-secondary institutions.
“At Camosun, you’re a name, not a number,” Hale says.
“It’s hard at a large university to get noticed, to get help and get recognized. But here, the faculty know your name.”
Another advantage Camosun offers is that its courses are more affordable than traditional university courses. The school can also guide students through tuition payments, whether about financing that requires repayment, such as student loans, or secured grants, such as the many scholarships and bursaries available based on need and achievement.
“So many people don’t know that there are so many grants and bursaries, it’s always good to chat with financial aid to know what’s available to you,” Hale says.
To explore what Camosun College has to offer you and the schedule for CamWeek information sessions, visit www.camosun.ca/CamWeek.
