My time at BCIT is coming to an end. Tomorrow at 10:30am I will write my final exam. Although my initial goals were only academic in nature, my time at BCIT has given me much more. Here is a brief look at what I’m taking with me when I leave BCIT.
1) A Job
I have been offered and accepted a job right out of the gate doing online marketing in adventure travel. Instead of the “lost” feeling I felt when I completed my undergrad, I feel validated and optimistic about the future.
2) A Network of Friends & Industry Contacts
Each year I was assigned to a set of 20-30 people. Each year I couldn’t have asked for a better group. My classmates were friendly, fun, honest, and (mostly) professional. I can only hope that we stay connected once graduated.
3) Skills Skills Skills
The ability to conduct a job that only few people can do is the foundation of a good career. I can now take the foundation that BCIT gave me and start building on it.
Congratulations, Darcy! ^_^
I’m gonna be starting Marketing Management – Communications p/t this summer and am glad I found your blog. Like you I have a degree and I’m looking to up my skills for a career change. Any pearls of wisdom to share for someone who’s going to take a full course while working full-time? (yikes :) Congrats on graduating, as well!
Thanks for the comment Gilian
I can offer three pieces of advice:
1) Use class time efficiently
There’s no getting away from homework at BCIT. It’s an unfortunate inevitability. You CAN however drastically reduce the amount of homework by working hard during class time. Chip away during the day.
2) Focus on what matters
As much as I commend BCIT for putting together such a great and useful program, some aspects are more important than others. Choose which areas matter to you and focus on them. There are a lot of ways to do more work than you have to otherwise…
3) Keep ahead
During the beginning of each semester there is a blissful period when you think you have your studies under control. Don’t be fooled. You’re about 3 days away from a shit storm of school work. Keep ahead and do as much as you can the moment you can do it. I’m proud to say I never had to pull an “allnighter” at BCIT because I stayed on top of things. Many people went the other route on this one.
Although I’m skeptical that full-time studies and full-time employment is a possibility, full-time studies and part-time employment was quite common amongst my peers.
Good luck in your program Gilian. I think you’re really going to enjoy it :)