STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATARINA MUIA
Sheridan students graduating this semester are strongly considering getting a degree in their field of study.
The University Fair, which took place at the Trafalgar Campus on Jan. 27 and the Davis Campus on Jan. 31, gave students of all years, plenty of options.
Although heading straight from college with a diploma right into the workforce would be ideal, students believe that continuing on with their education, and getting a degree in their field would be beneficial.
“I think a majority of students see that if they go straight from a diploma to a degree, it’ll be easier than going from a diploma, to a job, then trying to get a degree afterwards,” said Neil Baldwin, a Trafalgar campus career councillor.
Annieka Francis, 28, a first-year student in the Social Service Work program at Davis believes that furthering her education now will benefit her in the future.
“I mean, why would we not want to further our education?” said Francis,
“In order for us to be affective in our field, we believe the higher education we have, the farther we can go and the more people we can effect.”
With what the universities are offering, students are thinking about continuing their education in order to get a degree.
“It’s very competitive in the marketplace, unfortunately a college diploma won’t get you as far as a university degree,” said Sumer Haj-Ali, a 20-year-old third-year Business Administrating – Marketing student at the Hazel McCallion campus.
“However when you have both, you have a way better chance at getting a job,” said Haj-Ali.
An obstacle students face which seems to hold them back from continuing school, is part-time jobs in order to afford going to school.
While speaking with a Sheridan student at Trafalgar, Andrea Torres, an Education Advisor for Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C. mentioned “there are online courses for people who have jobs, they can complete their third and fourth year in just twelve months.”
Royal Roads also offers an opportunity for those students who cannot stay on campus in Victoria for a school year, to visit the school once a year for a few weeks, depending on what program a student is taking.
“We want to make sure we give every student a personal approach, support from the faculty, classmates and staff, it’s just a good way for students to make and keep connections and build relations,” said Torres.
Another concern for students is having to restart a program back from year one in university, after already having two years of college under their belt.
At Ryerson, depending on the program, a student can be given an advanced standing.
“Obviously a student has to apply to the program first, and the Ryerson will evaluate where the person is at,” said Kim Randall, a Senior Liaison Officer at Ryerson University.
“Once you get checked out and accepted, you have to apply for credit transfer in order to start third-year university after a two-year college program.”
For more information on what to do after graduating, visit www.careercentre.sheridancollege.ca, or book an appointment with one of Sheridan’s career councillors.