I am so glad that I made the right decision choosing Campbell College three months after I arrived in Canada. Eight months later, I got my first full-time administrative job and pursued my professional administrative career. And one year after I arrived in Canada, I got a permanent job with a good salary.

I still remember my first day in Campbell. Although, I had my Master’s degree in China, I needed to think a long time before I could speak one complete sentence in English. I was shy without confidence. Campbell College is a magic place which changed me a lot.

During five and half months’ on-site study, I practiced my communication, organization, multi-tasking, and time-management skills which are necessary for administrative professionals. The most important part was that my confidence came back. Then during the two months’ work practicum, I learned how the real Canadian workplace operated and knew exactly what the employers’ expectations for administrative staff was. With all skills learned at Campbell, work practicum experience, and confidence, I got two permanent job offers after I graduated. My dream came true after I went to Campbell College.

It is a great place for you to take an adventure at Campbell College. What you will get after the adventure is a SURPRISING new job!

A GREAT GIFT FROM CAMPBELL COLLEGE

I came to Canada in 2007. After a big battle, I got my permanent resident status in 2012.

I started to work at a fast food store as a store manager, standing all day from 9-5, only with a lunch break. So I told myself, I would like to work in the office. After the research, I took a career assessment workshop to find out what I could do for work at Service Canada. Through the counsellor at ASSIST, I decided to take Administrative Professional program at Campbell College to start my new career in Edmonton.

I started out thinking I need to improve my English, also updating my computer skills with the degree I had from Taiwan. But what surprised me was the total learning package, when I finished the course. My typing went from 3 to 40 wpm. I found out I just loved filing so much that I could not believe. I really learned how Excel can play with numbers easily.

Of course the best thing at Campbell was I could just learn as much as I wanted and ask as many questions as I wanted till I understood. It was like a learning heaven to me. The endless help from the staff was beyond words. The whole program is designed efficient with learning, assignment, test, work practical skills, positive attitude and more. There was no time to waste and no time to be sad. We learned and worked together as a team to get to our graduation.

Looking for a job is a very common thing with the life in Canada. After graduation, I worked for seasonal job for six months, kept contact with Campbell College. With the help from Brenda and Sharon, I got three job offers after applying jobs and jobs. I am working with a wage temporary position for six months now; it is a great start for me. I am working on getting a permanent job.

I met many alumnus at the City of Edmonton and Government of Alberta during my practicum and work. We helped each other. Here is the picture where we work.

I appreciate Campbell College so much that I love to say “It is one the biggest gifts I received for my journey in Canada.”

I am very proud to be a Campbell graduate. Currently, I am a City of Edmonton employee. I work at the Edmonton Public Library and love very much what I am doing. I came to Canada from Ukraine more than 4 years ago. There I completed 5 years study at University and worked as a journalist at the local newspaper for seven years. In Ukraine, I did not study English at all.

Actually, I started to learn it a little bit prior coming to Canada, so I knew alphabet. However it did not help very much. I felt like a newborn child who could not speak and understand what all of the people around me talked about. Because I knew the alphabet, I started the Link level 3 program. My classmates could speak and understand what the teachers explained to us, but I could not. I was struggling and crying. In two years I was able to speak English. I had different kinds of jobs, but I was concerned: what I was going to do? What kind of education I was going to have in Canada? There was no doubt that I would not become a journalist here. Who else could I be? I did not want to work in retail for the rest of my life. On the other hand, I was not ready to spend a few years and lots of money for a University program.

I will always be grateful to the people who suggested that I apply for the Administrative Professional Program at Campbell College one year ago. I heard about Campbell from many friends of mine, and only positive responses. I heard that all teachers are professional, supportive and friendly, that classes are useful, that there is homework every day, and that most of Campbell graduates become successful. Now I can confirm; everything I heard was true. I liked the program very much and I enjoyed every hour I spent there. All subjects were useful; now I am able to apply acquired knowledge and skills in real life during my job search, interview process, and working in an office environment. All classes were delightful and remarkable. Campbell instructors somehow could make us like even the less interesting subjects. Teachers taught us how to achieve our goals, how to sell ourselves in the job market, how to overcome fear, lift our self-esteem up, and simply how to be happy and satisfied with our lives and jobs.

Campbell College is not like other colleges. It has only one program and only a few groups at a time. It is a small physical space, but has spiritual immensity and endless warmness. It is home for a thousand inspired hearts. It is place where you always want to come back. I recommend Campbell College to all my friends, as a college that makes a difference.

My training at Campbell College had been the best. In a 8-month period, it prepared me to become an effective Administrative Professional, gave me the skills necessary for the job, helped me develop a positive attitude, and provided me a great career. This I owe to Campbell College’s quality training, wonderful staff, and competent instructors who are passionate in what they do and who helped and encouraged me market myself. I graduated last April 2013, and I was already offered a job before I even graduated. Now, I am happily working with the City of Edmonton. Also, Campbell College is a great avenue to develop a strong network. I will never forget the good relationships I built with my schoolmates and the staff. Up until now, I get constant information from Campbell College about upcoming job fairs and events, which really proves that the school’s support does not stop after graduation, but continues ceaselessly. Thank you, Campbell. You have been an amazing part of my life!

Thank you to all the staff of Campbell College! No words can express my appreciation to you. Before I took the Administrative Professional Diploma Program, my life went down to the lowest point. It was YOU who helped me to rebuild my confidence and helped me to find my current great job with the Government of Alberta as a permanent employee. Thank you so much!

The Administrative Professional program has been a great blessing to me. The modules are well thought out, and are very applicable. The Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) has enhanced my knowledge in computer applications. The modules on Office Procedures, Professional Development, Business English, and Math are of equal importance, and have provided greater knowledge and exposure for me on the Canadian way, as compared to the American way that I am more familiar with.The practicum part of Campbell College’s Administrative Professional program has paved the way for me to eventually be employed with the City of Edmonton, Corporate Services Department. After completing the Administrative Professional Program in November, 2010, I was hired right away by the same organization and department where I had my 2-month practicum or ‘job placement.’ Having to compete with lots of applicants — both internal and external, I wouldn’t have been included in the shortlist if I had never had my practicum here.

Campbell College prepared me for the biggest challenge of my life: Career change! The staff and instructors were like friends, and I will never forget them as they enlighten my future professional life, guided me throughout the program to achieve my goals, and taught me the skills I needed to be an administrative professional. The program was practical and all the textbooks and activities were focused on bringing the best in us and improving our knowledge of ourselves and the technical aspects and art of being a successful administrative assistant.

Thanks to Campbell College, I have been working with the City of Edmonton since May 2010. The practicum and the post-graduation support and referral were of great help through the application process and getting the job. I do recommend Campbell College to everyone who is looking for an education to make them great candidates for the job market.

I came to Canada with two Bachelor degrees tucked under my arms, several years of work experience, and a determined spirit to be successful in this country I now call home. I thought these qualifications would be enough, but I realized how inadequate they were after six months when I could not get a job related to my education and work experience. Fortunately, someone referred me to Campbell College and its Professional Administrative Diploma–an eight-month program that truly changed my life. The program was an important catalyst in shaping my career change. At Campbell College, the instructor-led lessons were well-paced with most of them strategically scheduled to compliment with other courses–which says a lot about how the administration planned the program. The program not only taught me skills needed to move into an administrative career, but changed many of my perspectives regarding solving problems, raising-self esteem, learning to assert positively, and most importantly, to be more aware of diversity and how Canadians from all across many cultures can work in harmony and productively. The practicum is the crowning glory of the program. The school ensures that students go to an agency where they are best suited. As a result, many of us have found jobs in the offices where we conducted our 2-month job practicum. Like many Campbell alumni, I am now happily working for the Government of Alberta. See the picture of me and three other graduates who are now my co-workers below.

Congratulations to Campbell College’s staff. Look at where I am now!!!!!! I have moved from the position of Resource Room Facilitator, to take the position of Career Practitioner (CESI program) at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. It is because of your hard work. Thank you for everything you did for me. Did you build my confidence? Yes, I think you have something at Campbell College that is capable of moving a thousand mountains.

My words cannot express how much I will continue to appreciate Campbell College’s support. The staff is amazing. I am proud to be one of your GRADUATES.

On my first day of class I was happy for taking this step, I was however, anxious as I had to quit a job to be in class. Even with such mixed feelings, I knew that enrolling in the Administrative Professional Diploma Program at Campbell College was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I knew that because I wanted a career rather than a job, I knew that in order to make this dream a reality I needed to be at Campbell College.

Campbell is a unique college; you just have to be there to feel it, to experience it and to take it all in. The instructors are warm and friendly. They never tire of answering the numerous questions students throw at them and are always willing to give a one-on-one when requested by a student. The classes are small and students get to interact and know about each other’s’ culture.

Campbell College has molded me into the person I am today. One thing I know for sure is, I am where I am today because of Campbell College. I have my dream job, I am building my career and I owe it all to this wonderful college and its instructors. Thank you Campbell College.

If I hadn’t completed the program at Campbell College, I wouldn’t have found a job. Although, I have many years of experience as administrative assistant in Japan, I had no work experience in Canada. Through the diploma program I gained not only valuable technical skills, but also interpersonal skills and confidence.

After I completed the program, I felt that I am a competitive candidate in the Canadian job market. Campbell College supported me after I graduated from the program. I received advice and comments about my interview skills and job search. The teachers and staff encouraged me whenever I visited Campbell. Thanks to them, I could keep a positive attitude until I found a job I wanted. I will never forget Campbell’s passion, love, fun and warm hearts.

As a new immigrant to Canada, I found that it would be a challenge competing for professional jobs because I did not have Canadian certification, work experience or work references. I decided to invest in Campbell College’s Administrative Professional program because I met a successful student of the program in church, and she encouraged me to take the program as well. I had doubts at first, but she told me what the program’s focus was and how the staff does their best to train their students. The greatest part of her story was that Campbell College prepared her get a job with the City of Edmonton where she had her practicum. I wanted the same training, too. I said to myself that I will not settle for a survival job in Canada for the rest of my life, so I resigned from my new job and had the courage to apply to take the program. Some people tried to discourage me about the Campbell College program and said that I should go to another school. However, I kept a positive attitude and firmly believed there was a great destiny that was waiting for me after seven months of intensive training. Campbell boosted my confidence, taught me to have discipline with my time, and helped me develop the habit of completing tasks ahead of time. I like the standards they maintain in the class; these keep me striving for excellence as there are very vital for employers. Right now, I will forever be proud to say that I am alumni of Campbell College. All my sacrifices paid off, and they have paved the way for me to get into one of Alberta Health Services’ departments as a Research Grant Administrator, which far exceeded the entry-level position that I expected. It was such a timely blessing now that I had my first baby four days after my graduation. I wish Campbell College staff more power and success in preparing the most competitive professionals in this field.