Newsletter

The Trailhead

The Tr​ailhead - Volume 4, 2008

Contents

  • Welcome Back
  • ORTM Classes in Fall 2008
  • ORTM Social and Tuna Cup Challenge
  • ORTM Travel Series
  • International Ecotourism Conference
  • ORTM Website
  • New Geography/ORTM Chair
  • Pat Maher – Winner of a 2008 UNBC Teaching Excellence Award
  • Dan Adamson – Sessional Instructor ORTM 305
  • Anne Hardy – Sessional Instructor ORTM 204
  • Certification in ORTM Classes
  • BCPARF 2008 Conference
  • Wade Davis – Keynote Speaker
  • ORTM 333 (2009)
  • ORTM 433 Antarctica
  • NOLS
  • Bill Mason Scholarship
  • ORTM Career Advising Survey

Welcome Back

Welcome back past ORTM students– or just plain welcome to new and transferring ORTM students. It’s a new school year and faculty members John, Pat, Pam and Zoëwelcome you and look forward to hearing about your summer exploits.
ORTM Classes in Fall 2008

This fall ORTM faculty are offering a series of courses including:

  • ORTM 100 Leisure in Life (Maher and Meletis)
  • ORTM 200 Sustainable Outdoor Recreation and Tourism (Meletis)
  • NREM 100 Natural Resources Management Field Skills (Maher)
  • ORTM 300 Recreation and Tourism Impacts (Wright)
  • ORTM 301 Environmental Interpretation (Wright)
  • ORTM 410 Research Methods and Analysis (Meletis)
  • ORTM 412 Issues and Trends (Shultis)
  • ORTM 408 The Psychology of Recreation and Tourism (Shultis)

Please check the online schedule and join us in these classes. Classes are important, but remember that your university experience is about more than just course work. Take advantage of the fall weather to get out and enjoy the hiking, canoeing and biking in the area. Pick up a new skill and learn a new activity. Join one of the university clubs or get involved as a volunteer at UNBC and in the Prince George community. Participate in extra opportunities for field excursions, training courses, guest speakers and other special events.

ORTM Social and Tuna Cup Challenge – September 11th

On Sept. 11 from 5 on we’ll have our first ORTM social. We’ll be gathering at Shooters on 18th and Ospika. Invites extended to all ORTM undergraduate students (even if you are just taking one class – or on exchange) and graduate students. This is a chance to get to know each other in a relaxed and informal setting. If you don’t happen to have any ORTM classes this fall – check with fellow students and faculty members to find out when it will happen. ORTM students (majors and minors) and students taking ORTM classes are welcome. We’re sure to have another round of the infamous ORTM Tuna Cup Challenge. Rumour is that it might have received a bit of enhancement as a result of the big Pemberton music festival this year.

ORTM Vicarious Travel Series – Bring your lunch!

We’re starting a late-lunch travel series of slides and stories from ORTM faculty and students travels around the globe. Look for announcements of the regularly scheduled time and first event to follow. Got a great travel story – contact John Shultis (shultis@unbc.ca) to sign up to take us all on a trip!

Want to Learn More About Ecotourism And Sustainable Tourism?

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is holding their Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism conference in Vancouver this fall (Oct 27-29, 2008).  Zoë Meletis will be attending and grad student Diana Kutzner will be presenting. Students interested in also attending (perhaps carpooling, etc.) should contact Zoë. The conference should provide a wide array of interesting talks and workshops by academics, practitioners and other experts. The cost to students remains TBD, but there is a discounted conference registration fee for students, so stay tuned for updates!  If you are interested in attending this conference please email Zoë Meletis ASAP at meletis@unbc.ca.  Consult the conference website at: http://www.ecotourismconference.org/

The Northern BC Tourism Association AGM

As part of the ORTM 100 class students from the program will be attending the Northern BC Tourism Association AGM in Prince George (Oct. 15-17). If you’d like to attend, but are not enrolled in ORTM 100, please email Pat ASAP (maherp@unbc.ca) so that we can help you work out any potential student discount we are able to get.

The Association for Experiential Education’s 36th International Conference

Again as part of the ORTM 100 class students from the program will be attending the Association for Experiential Education’s 36th International Conference in Portland, Oregon (Nov. 5-9).  If you’d like to attend, but are not enrolled in ORTM 100, please email Pat ASAP (maherp@unbc.ca) so that we can make arrangements to help you with organizing transport and accommodation. This conference has a theme of Bridges in Education: Inquiry, Knowledge, Action and is a great place to network and learn about topics ranging from social justice and activism to outdoor education and adventure programming. Consult the conference website at: http://www.aee.org/conferences/annualIntlConf/ and not the discounted student rates and opportunities for scholarships and service crew volunteering to cut registration costs.

ORTM Website

ORTM has a website (www.unbc.ca/ortm) designed to provide information about the ORTM program, our classes, research and faculty not only to potential students and partners but also to current students. Be sure to check out the ‘info for current students’ and the ‘employment’ pages on a regular basis as we’ll try and post new information up here that may be of particular use to you. If you want to make a submission to the website or have a suggestion for something that should be added – please email Pam at pwright@unbc.ca. We welcome profiles of summer jobs, photos, example projects, tips and techniques for other (and potential) students and many other things.

New Chair – Neil Hanlon

ORTM shares an administrative chair with Geography and in the summer of 2008 we said thank you to outgoing chair Gail Fondahl and welcome to incoming chair Neil Hanlon. Many of you may have had Neil as a professor in some of your geography courses. You can find Neil on the first floor of building 8 in the corner office. Outgoing chair Gail Fondahl has taken the position of VP Research for UNBC.

Pat Maher – Winner of a 2008 Teaching Excellence Award

Big congratulations to Pat Maher – one of two winners from the College of Science and Management for the 2008 teaching excellence awards. Pat was nominated for his teaching particularly as a result of the 2007 Stikine field experience (ORTM 333) and was honoured at convocation in May.

Dan Adamson – Instructor for ORTM 305, Winter 2009

Welcome back to winter semester sessional instructor Dan Adamson. Dan will be joining us during ORTM faculty member John Shultis' winter semester sabbatical to teach ORTM 305 Protected Areas Planning and Management. Dan's taught this course for us a few times in the past and we welcome his return. Dan is a Prince George resident with his Masters in Resource and Environmental Management from SimonFraserUniversity. He has held regional planning positions with BC Parks, worked for the Land Use Coordination Office assisting with delivering 8 land use planning tables, worked with the Haida on land use planning for Haida Gwaii, held a 3 year term as General Manager with the McGregor Model Forest Association and most recently worked as an independent consultant and for the City of Prince George as their Environment Manager.  Dan's experience provides a strong understanding of multi-stakeholder interests in land use and the various pressures facing our landscapes and resources including our park systems.  "On the surface parks seem to be a pretty straight forward concept, but dig deeper into the issues and competing interests, and you'll see a complexity as challenging as any of the land uses", said Adamson.  Dan still loves to hike and canoe but the ol' thermorest and primus stove haven't been used for a while...maybe too long!

Anne Hardy – Instructor for ORTM 204, Winter 2009

ORTM faculty member Anne Hardy who left us in 2007 to return to Australia will be joining us again – remotely at least. During ORTM faculty member John Shultis’ winter semester sabbatical Anne will join us via distance to teach ORTM 204 – Visitor Behaviour. This class will be a combination of both distance (via the web) learning and facilitated sessions here at UNBC. A great and innovative way to teach this course that should provide ORTM students both scheduling flexibility and the chance to interact and discuss some of the key aspects of visitor behaviour.

Congratulations also to Anne on the birth of healthy baby girl Hannah Charlotte (sister to Alice) on August 28th.

Certification in ORTM Classes

This year we are enhancing our program of introducing opportunities for students to get specific qualifications or certificates in classes. In ORTM 300 we’ve incorporated Leave No Trace, Bear Aware, and BC Parks BRIM training. In ORTM 301 students will be certified as Project Wild instructors and will have completed the requirements for Interpretation Canada Modules 1 and 2. Students completing ORTM 301 with a solid demonstration of skills will be automatically shortlisted for interpretation jobs in the summer 2009 with BC Parks. We’ll try and find other opportunities to provide training and skills certification in other classes as we progress.

BCPARF Conference

On December 1-3 at UNBC, ORTM will host the BC Protected Areas Research Forum (BCPARF) conference. Chaired by ORTM faculty member Pam Wright with help from ORTM faculty members and the UNBC community at large – we’ll host a three-day series of seminars, workshops, and discussions for parks and protected areas managers and researchers who work and study in BC or surrounding environments. Park managers from BC Parks, Parks Canada, regional and First Nations protected areas and non-governmental organizations as well as other academic institutions will be here. We’re looking for student volunteers to help us both organize and also serve as hosts during the workshop. We’re also keen to find billet hosts for visiting students from other institutions. If you’d like to volunteer please send us an email. This years’ theme is ‘Closing the Loop: Putting Research into Action’.  To help as a student volunteer or billet a visitor please email us at bcparf@unbc.ca.

BCPARF Keynote Speaker – Wade Davis

One of the great features about the 2008 BCPARF conference will be attendance by noted ethnobotanist/anthropologist Dr. Wade Davis.  Wade will be giving a public lecture at the Canfor Theatre on November 30th highlighting the conservation challenge in the Sacred Headwaters and the keynote lecture to the BCPARF conference on research in action on the afternoon of Monday, December 1st.  Student tickets for the public talk on Sunday night are only $10. The BCPARF talk on Monday is free (as room is available) to UNBC students.

ORTM 333 - 2009

Location and dates for the ORTM 333 course in spring 2009 have yet to be determined.  If you need to take this course, and want to take part in a ‘traditional’ van-based experience, please contact Pat ASAP (maherp@unbc.ca) so that you can be involved in discussions about the location and/or dates.

ORTM 433 – Antarctic Adventures

In February of 2009 Pat Maher will be teaching an ORTM 433 class as part of a Students on Ice University Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula. Details on the expedition can be found at:  http://www.uantarctic.org/; and for questions about enrollment pertaining to the UNBC course please email Pat (maherp@unbc.ca)

NOLS

Loads of opportunities are progressing between the ORTM Program and NOLS, the NationalOutdoorLeadershipSchool (Canadian branch based in Whitehorse, YK).  We’ve almost got the UNBC credit for NOLS courses agreement worked out, and this year one of our students received a scholarship to take a NOLS Outdoor Educator course (Congratulations Tasha!).  If you’re interested in outdoor/wilderness education and possibilities with NOLS for jobs, internships, scholarships, etc. please chat with Pat (maherp@unbc.ca).

Bill Mason Memorial Scholarship

The deadline for the Bill Mason Memorial Scholarship is fast approaching (Sept. 30th).  This scholarship is worth $1000 and eligibility requirements include being enrolled in an Outdoor Recreation or related program at a Canadian University. Visit www.paddlingcanada.com for full application information.

ORTM Career Advising Survey

As part of the ORTM Program’s commitment to helping you get the job you want after graduation, we are continuing with our ORTM Career Advising Survey that started last year. If you are a 2nd-4th year student you would have done this last year, so you’re welcome to complete it again, but don’t feel obliged.

If you’re a 1st year or transfer student in the program, we suggest you do complete this survey.

Once you completed the following questions, please send them in an email to Pat (maherp@unbc.ca). After Pat’s had a look at the answers he’ll contact you to set up a 30 minute meeting with either himself or another faculty member to discuss how we as a program can best help you succeed.

  • Name:
  • Email:
  • HomeTown:
  • Previous College/Uni diplomas/degrees etc:
  • Outdoor/Tourism Field Skills or Certificates:
  • Degree/Stream you are in (if undeclared – what are you considering?)
  • Year of Study:
  • Jobs and/or Volunteer Experiences You’ve Had:
  • Kinds of jobs/locations/employers you are interested in?
  • What’s your dream job?

The Trailhead - Volume 3, 2008

This is the 3rd volume of The Trailhead – student newsletter for the ORTM Program – with final notes for the summer and ideas for the fall. This version of the newsletter, as well as longer versions of some articles can be found on the ORTM website.

Contents

  • April 8th @ 4:30  -- End of Semester Celebration
  • Congratulations Graduates
  • ORTM 300 Recreation and Tourism Impacts –PREREQUISITES
  • ORTM 433 A new course addition!!!
  • ORTM 298 ‘In-depth Studies in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism’
  • NEW!!!! Minor in General Business
  • NEW!!!! Minor in Biology and Conservation
  • Summer Photo Challenge
  • Still Job Hunting?
  • Antarctic Field School
  • Scholarships and Bursaries
  • NOLS
  • Student Conference Opportunities in 2008

April 8th @ 4:30  -- End of Semester Celebration

Classes are done and just exams are left. Join us at Shooters on Ospika at 4:30 for an end of semester celebration. Fun and games – 2nd Tuna Cup Challenge!!

Congratulations Graduates!

Congrats go out to this years graduates. Annie Doran (BSc) and Dani McIntosh (BA) are graduating this spring and graduate students Sarah Elmeligi (MNRES) and Damodar Khadka (MA) have both successfully defended their theses and will also be graduating.

ORTM 300 Recreation and Tourism Impacts – NOTICE PREREQUISITES ARE INCORRECT

Just want to alert you to the fact that there are pre-requisite errors for ORTM 300 – a required course for both degrees and minors. Both the printed and electronic calendar have incorrect (and slightly different!) statements of pre-requisites. We are going to fix this problem and also reduce the electives requirement. The new pre-req’s will be simply either Biol 110 or Biol 201. We do recommend that you take this course in your 3rd year of study. Do note that it takes a while to make these changes so don’t be surprised if you need my signature to let you in to class. If I’m not around – the ORTM/Geography chair (Gail Fondahl/Neil Hanlon) can sign this for you. When you register – note that there is both a lecture portion and a lab portion for this class – you may have to register separately depending on the procedures this year.

ORTM 433 A new course addition!!!

We will have a new course on the calendar for 2008/2009 – ORTM 433.  This will be included in the regular list of 4th year electives, and is intended to give us (the faculty) a place to run extended field-based programs – hence it’s name Field Experiences II. It is intended to be an extension of the required ORTM 333. ORTM 433 may not run every year, but when it does it will be the place for longer, further away programs such as last summer’s StikineRiver field school.

ORTM 298 ‘Special Topics’

The ORTM faculty is currently proposing to the administration the addition of a new optional course designed to allow in-depth examination of topics of specific interest to outdoor recreation, conservation and nature-based tourism management students at the lower levels. This could entail a critical examination of issues such as cruise-ship tourism or sport tourism (e.g., Olympics), or allow students to study and develop a specific skill set (e.g., environmental education in the outdoors). Like the 4th year course of the same number these special topics courses are offered on an ‘as requested/and faculty available’ basis for elective credit. We are proposing that the course be offered for between 1-6 credit hours so that we might be able to offer anything from a weekend course (with one assignment) to a longer course. Given the approval process, the earliest that this course might be available to us would be Winter 09.

NEW!!!! Minor in General Business

As part of changes happening for the forestry program, the Commerce program has added a new ‘minor’ to their offerings. That means that students (including ORTM students) can opt into taking a minor along with their declared major and have an official Minor in Business Administration appear on their transcript. For those of you with a strong commerce interest this is a great option. Like most other minors, you can only count two of your existing COMM courses for credit so you’ll need to do some additional course work (total of 24 credit hours) but adding a minor is a great way to enhance your credentials with relatively little additional work.

NEW!!!! Minor in Biology and Conservation

As part of changes happening for the forestry program, the Biology program has added a new ‘minor’ to their offerings. That means that students (particularly BSC ORTM students) can opt to taking a minor along with their declared major and have an official Minor in Biology and Conservation appear on their transcript. For those of you with a strong natural science interest this is a great option. Like most other minors, you can only count two of your existing BIO courses for credit so you’ll need to do some additional course work (total of 27 credit hours) but adding a minor is a great way to enhance your credentials with relatively little additional work.

NEW !!! Minor in Forest Recreation

As part of changes happening for the forestry program, the ORTM program is offering a new minor in Forest Recreation for non-ORTM students. There are no ‘new’ ORTM classes as part of this – rather its just a package of ORTM classes that we’ve put together allowing natural resource management students, particularly foresters, to take to build up their skills in outdoor recreation in forested settings. So starting this Fall (but more likely in 2009/2010) you may see a few more forestry students in our classes.

Summer Photo Challenge

Win prizes from ORTM. Send a photo of yourself or other students in action this summer – either a summer adventure or a workplace picture (yes --- we’d even like pictures of those who work inside!) and you’ll have a darn good chance to win a prize. We’d like to update photos for presentations, websites, posters etc of our students in action so this is your chance to be famous! Please send to pwright@unbc.ca.

Still Job Hunting?

If you are still job hunting here are some tips we’ve posted before. There are all sorts of good sources of jobs on the internet and good job search engines. Your first stop should be the ORTM website EMPLOYMENT page (www.unbc.ca/ortm). We post jobs and search links on this page on an almost daily basis during the winter/spring semester. Other colleges and universities with outdoor recreation and tourism programs probably do too – so don’t forget to look on their websites to see what pops up. Don’t forget to also ask friends and family….they may have a good connection or suggest a place to search. We’re always looking for good job links and good jobs to post on our site so if you have one to send our way – please send it to Pam (pwright@unbc.ca).

Antarctic Field School

Speaking of field schools, and one that may be the first ORTM 433 available, Pat Maher is working on the planning of an Antarctic field school for Feb. 2009. While nothing is official through UNBC yet, Pat has been involved in discussions with a number of partners, and some tentative information can be found at: http://www.uantarctic.org. If you’re interested send Pat an email: maherp@unbc.ca

Scholarships and Bursaries

Congratulations to all of the 2007/2008 scholarship and bursary winners from ORTM; as reported recently in the Prince George Citizen. You should all be proud of yourselves for these awards:

  • Initiatives Prince George Bursary – Dani Meade
  • Matthew Halpin Memorial Bursary – Dani Meade
  • Raven Bursary – Amanda Leaker
  • Sandwell Scholarship – Dani Meade
  • UNBC Course Credit Draw – Shannon Champion
  • UNBC Masters Tuition Scholarship – Diana Kutzner
  • UNBC Transfer Student Award – Shannon Champion

For information about any of these awards visit http://www.unbc.ca/financial_aid/. If you do win a scholarship or bursary for 2008/2009 (or we’ve missed you in this list above) please let us know as soon as you can so that the ORTM Program can celebrate these accomplishments and other students can see the possibilities available.

NOLS

As most of you should know the ORTM Program has established a partnership with NOLS (the NationalOutdoorLeadershipSchool); www.nols.edu. While things have been slow to move forward this year, we hope to have lots of exciting news to report in the fall.

Student Conference Opportunities in 2008

  1. Tourism Educators Conference

    From May 8-10, 2008 the annual Tourism Educators Conference (TEC) will be held; this year, Whistler is hosting the conference. The conference has secured a number of high-calibre speakers to complement the theme of Taking Action: Global Climate Change and Tourism/Hospitality Education. Guest speakers include Peter Robinson, CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation; Ann Duffy, Director of Sustainability for VANOC; and Anna Pollock, CEO of DestiCorp and Co-founder of the Icarus Foundation.

    Click here for a copy of the conference program, subject to change. A student rate is currently being finalized. Another potential option to attend the conference on the cheap might be to volunteer at the conference. Email Pat (maherp@unbc.ca) if you want more information on this conference.
  2. Parks for Tomorrow

    From May 9-11, 2008 a conference is on in Calgary to celebrate Parks for Tomorrow, 40 years after an initial conference at the then newly-formed University of Calgary.

    This international conference will bring scholars, policy makers and the interested public (including students) together to describe, analyze and assess the history, current status and future directions of protected areas, landscapes and heritage resources and their role in our society.

    If you are in Calgary and interested in parks and protected areas consider attending. There is even a student rate available (cheaper fees). For more information on this conference, see http://www.parks4tomorrow.ucalgary.ca/index.php.
  3. BC’s Inland Rainforest – Conservation and Community Conference

    If you are in Prince George over the summer, from May 21–23, 2008 a conference on the BC’s Inland Rainforest is being held at UNBC.

    B.C.’s inland wet temperate rainforest is a globally rare ecosystem which exhibits tremendous ecological diversity, including lush riparian zones and old growth western red cedar. Portions of this ecosystem provide important habitat for many threatened or endangered species, including mountain caribou and many species of canopy lichens.

    The latest research on this area will be presented, with the aim of improving sustainable management of this ecologically important ecosystem. The conference will also examine the social and community values associated with these ecosystems and discuss the various perspectives and visions for the future of B.C.’s inland temperate rainforest.

    For more information on this conference, see http://wetbelt.unbc.ca/2008-conference.html.
  4. TTRA-Canada Student Research Symposium  

    The 4th annual Student Research Symposium will again be held in conjunction with the TTRA-Canada Chapter Conference in Oct 15, 2008. The Symposium will take place at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC and is open to both graduate and undergraduate students.

    This student event, organized by TTRA-Canada, features the research of post-secondary students from hospitality and tourism-related programs. Both graduate and undergraduate students are invited to make submissions relating to their research in the areas of travel & tourism and/or hospitality management.

    ORTM students could give a talk based on a previous essay or presentation. The deadline for submissions of an abstract for the presentation is June 20, 2008. It would be a great opportunity for ORTM students to meet fellow students and leading researchers in the tourism field.

    More information on the student presentations can be found at: http://ttracanada.ca/en/conferences-events/StudentSymposium.htm. If you are interested in this opportunity, please feel free to contact any ORTM faculty member.
  5. TIES-Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference

    The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) will be holding their third conference on sustainable tourism in Vancouver from October 27-29, 2008.  While the program is not finalized, TIES is a large and influential organization so it might be an interesting conference to attend, especially as its being reasonably close.

    Information can be found at: http://www.ecotourismconference.org/ and if you’re interested in attending email Pat (maherp@unbc.ca) as there may be a group going down from the fall ORTM 100 class that you can join in with.
  6. AEE 36th Annual International Conference

    The Association for Experiential Education’s (AEE) 36th Annual International Conference is being held in Vancouver, Washington from Nov. 6-9, 2008.  AEE is a professional association dedicated to experiential education and the students, educators and practitioners who utilize its philosophy. If you’re interested in outdoor education, outdoor leadership, or adventure programs then this is a great association to become involved with.

    There are student rates as well as great opportunities to volunteer and have your costs reduced. Further information can be found: http://www.aee.org and if you’re interested in attending email Pat (maherp@unbc.ca) as there may be a group going down from the fall ORTM 100 class that you can join in with.

Please have a good, fun and safe summer … we’ll look forward to seeing you this fall.

Happy Trails and Safe Adventures Everyone
Pam, John, Pat, Zoe

The Trailhead Volume 2, 2008 - Employment Issue

This is the 2nd volume of The Trailhead – student newsletter for the ORTM Program – focusing on employment issues. This version of the newsletter, as well as longer versions of some articles can be found on the ORTM website. (http://www.unbc.ca/outdoor_recreation_tourism_management/new_courses/ind...)

Contents

  • BC Conservation Corp (Closing Date Feb. 29th)
  • Dive In! – Seasonal Work as a Career Springboard (Alumni Perspective)
  • Where are the Jobs?
  • Think Strategically
  • Interview Preparation
  • ORTM Career Advising Survey
  • ORTM 333 Field Experience for 2008

BC Conservation Corp (Closing Date – End​ of Feb.)

The British Columbia Conservation Corps (BCCC) is an exciting new program that provides work opportunities for students and recent graduates who may be considering a career in the environmental sector. Projects undertaken within this program provide Corps members a chance to gain valuable, first-hand experience in a wide variety of scientific and technical roles that will contribute to conserving and enhancing British Columbia's environment. Several ORTM students have held BCCC jobs or worked with the organization. 2008 jobs are now being posted and on-line applications close at the end of this month-- please go directly to the jobs page on the BCCC site for the most current information.

Dive In! ~ Seasonal Work as a Career Springboard (An Alumni Perspective) 

At this time every year it's the same situation: folks feverishly dreaming up ways to match their career ambitions with their hedonist desires and financial needs (tough balance). Now that I'm working outside of post-secondary education, the perspective is remarkably different. The professional world is scrambling to find impassioned employees.   Reality check: there is unprecedented staff turnover in organizations of all sorts because people are migrating and aging. Employers are using seasonal workers as an opportunity to apprentice future employees. This puts students in a good position to make professional contact networks and learn about potential career paths. If I can offer one encouragement, it's to use seasonal employment as a springboard to future work. Dive in! Craig Paulson B.Sc. RRT 2004 Presently working for BC Parks in Smithers

Where are the Jobs?

So where do you find jobs? There are all sorts of good sources of jobs on the internet and good job search engines. Your first stop should be the ORTM website EMPLOYMENT page (www.unbc.ca/ortm). We post jobs and search links on this page on an almost daily basis during the winter/spring semester. Other colleges and universities with outdoor recreation and tourism programs probably do too – so don’t forget to look on their websites to see what pops up. Don’t forget to also ask friends and family….they may have a good connection or suggest a place to search. We’re always looking for good job links and good jobs to post on our site so if you have one to send our way – please send it to Pam (pwright@unbc.ca).

Think Strategically! 

Modern universities serve two main types of functions. The first, and original function is to teach students how to learn, which includes how to access and critically analyze scientific information, and how to present that information in both an oral and written form. The second function is to provide students with a grounding in a specific academic discipline in order to prepare them for future employment possibilities. There is an increasing amount of tension between these two functions: professors typically focus on the former, while students are more concerned with the latter.

As both functions are important, we work hard in the ORTM Program to provide students with an outstanding learning environment and an acknowledgement of the importance of preparing students for the ‘real world’ outside academia. For example, we are providing increasing opportunities to obtain ORTM-related certifications in the classroom. We have also introduced the creation of a portfolio for ORTM students that will help you gain employment after graduation. 

But there are many employment-related tasks that only you can control.

We suggest that you think in a very strategic manner while you are attending university. Having a university degree is an excellent first step – research has clearly shown that university graduates have an easier time finding a job and earn more money over their lifetime than those who do not have a degree – but it is only a first step! While you are in university, you will have many opportunities to generate appropriate skills, training, certifications and contacts that will also be very important in gaining employment.

Summer jobs are perhaps the clearest example of how students’ decision can impact their employment prospects after graduation. Choosing jobs that provide relevant skills for future full time job prospects in ORTM is definitely a good idea. It also allows you to gain contacts which can be important in learning about future job opportunities. But there are many other ways to generate relevant skills, contacts, certifications and training.

Volunteering can also be a very useful experience for a variety of reasons. First and foremost is the opportunity to be a good citizen and give back to the community. But the contacts and skills you can make while volunteering can also be very important. Picking up relevant certifications or training can also be important. The Continuing Studies program at UNBC offers an increasing number of opportunities to pick up ORTM-related skills, including wilderness first aid and avalanche training. Many other agencies and organizations offer a variety of other training and certifications that will relate to your ‘dream job’. Your choice of courses while at UNBC can also help prepare you for future employment. Taking specific elective courses (or a Minor) or choosing certain topics (e.g., in essays) will allow you to gain additional information and knowledge of whatever dream job you have. Independent study or internship courses are available in ORTM for some upper level students. Finally, remember that you will require strong letters of references for suture job (or study) opportunities. Working hard at your job and at university will ensure that you get strong letter of support. 

So there are many ways for you to strategically maximize your employment success after graduation. You need to start thinking strategically in your first year; it becomes increasingly important as you continue through to your fourth and final year. By the time you graduate, you should have a very strong resume, filled with excellent educational and employment experiences, training, certifications, skills and contacts.  Those who think  strategically to gain outstanding skills and experiences will have a far easier time finding meaningful employment after graduation, and they will stand out from the competition.

Interview Prep: Some Tips

Remember: if you get to the interview stage for most jobs, they already think that you are qualified for the job (on paper).  The interview is about meeting you, seeing how you think on your feet, and learning about your personality.  The interview is your real first impression, so here are some short tips on how to make it a winning one: 

  1. dress the part: even if you are interviewing for a relatively casual job, dress up- it is expected of you at most interviews (and yes, iron those shirts!). 
  2. do your homework: PART 1: go on-line and learn about the place/company/institution that you are applying to.  Know about the history and the present workings of your prospective employer.  Consider the following: What are strengths and weaknesses of the place/company/institution?  What are they currently working on?  How do you see yourself fitting in (e.g. think of specific projects you could contribute to; think of your specific relevant skills such as languages spoken or technical certifications).  PART 2: consult friends, relatives, colleagues, websites and books for standard and job-specific interview questions; talk to people who have had similar interviews.  Set up a mock-interview or practice your answers with a friend. 
  3. show them that you have done your homework: work your research into your interview; use specific relevant examples to illustrate that you have researched learn the job and the place. 
  4. bring copies: bring additional (multiple) copies of relevant materials (e.g. your CV; portfolio; transcripts; related outlines/proposals).  This presents you as organized and it provides additional (updated) materials for interview participants.  It gives them reminders of your strengths ‘on paper’ in combination with your personal presence.
  5. make it clear why you want the job: don’t give generic answers; show them that this is the specific job that you want by giving specific answers.  Also, be honest about additional reasons that you want the job (e.g. you have family in the area; you have friends that work there who have spoken highly of the place).
  6. be enthusiastic but be yourself:  arrive early, come prepared, smile and show enthusiasm but also try to be relaxed and natural (interviews are  about personality too). 
  7. be confident but not cocky: remember, you got to this phase because you have the training and the skills but… employers also want someone who exhibits a willingness to learn and grow.  You are a burgeoning expert but you must remain balanced and show a willingness to build on the knowledge and experience that you already have. 

GOOD LUCK! Additional information: www.interviewtips.org

ORTM Career Advising Survey

As part of the ORTM Program’s commitment to helping you get the job you want after graduation, we are continuing with our ORTM Career Advising Survey that started last year.  If you are a 2nd-4th year student you would have done this last year, so you’re welcome to complete it again, but don’t feel obliged.   If you’re a 1st year or transfer student in the program, we suggest you do complete this survey. Once you’ve completed the following questions, please send them in an email to Pat (maherp@unbc.ca). After Pat’s had a look at the answers he’ll contact you to set up a 30 minute meeting with either himself or another faculty member to discuss how we as a program can best help you succeed.

  • Name:
  • Email:
  • HomeTown:
  • Previous College/Uni diplomas/degrees etc:
  • Outdoor/Tourism Field Skills or Certificates:
  • Degree/Stream you are in (if undeclared – what are you considering?)
  • Year of Study:
  • Jobs and/or Volunteer Experiences You’ve Had:
  • Kinds of jobs/locations/employers you are interested in?
  • What’s your dream job?

ORTM 333 Field Experience for 2008

If you haven’t taken your ORTM 333 Field Experience yet, here is some initial information about the 2008 offering for you to consider.

What: A coastal BC field experience examining potential themes of sustainability, parks and protected areas, and aboriginal tourism.

When: Tentative dates are April 20th-May 10th, 2008 Where: Coastal BC – the course will be a van/ferry-based trip examining coastal and marine tourism development in communities from Prince Rupert south through the Inside Passage to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island.  It may also include Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands), and will end in Nanaimo.

Who: The Field Experience is being run by Pat Maher from ORTM and Dan McDonald from the Tourism Program at Malaspina University College (MUC). In general the course is open to any 3rd and 4th year ORTM students who haven’t yet taken ORTM 333, but if you have friends in other programs that this might interest we may be able to accommodate them as well.  Additionally, this field experience is being run jointly with MUC’s tourism program, and so it’s also a great chance to meet students from that program.

How much: The cost is one course’s worth of tuition (as is the norm), plus a $500 course fee.  This will cover a variety of costs on the trip – specific details still being worked out. There is also the opportunity to take an ORTM 499 course as well, but that would then cost more in tuition and this extra course option needs to be specifically discussed with me.

There is a loose selection process for this course, due to limited number of spots, and as it is being run in collaboration with MUC. I

If you are interested please:

  1. Submit to Pat Maher (maherp@unbc.ca) by February 29th, a letter of application outlining why you are interested in being involved in this experience.  Indicate what you would be able to contribute (i.e. planning, insights, rural experience, community development experience, research skills, leadership, team building).  Indicate as well, what your future intentions are in your career and how this field experience will directly and indirectly contribute to achieving them.  Finally, provide what you think will be the biggest challenges on the trip and how you will help overcome them (2 pages maximum).
  2. With your letter of application include a brief resume (2-3 pages maximum), highlighting any relevant experiences. Once all applications are in from both MUC and UNBC, they will be reviewed by Pat and Dan, and both selected participants and unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email in early March. At which time we will start to finalize details and logistics, etc.

Happy Trails
Pam, John, Pat, Zoe