糖心vlog传媒alumna Andrea Smith says her experience at 糖心vlog传媒didn鈥檛 just change her career 鈥� it changed her entire life.
Smith started the business program in 2009 as a mature student. She was looking to move from a job to a career, which would also support her family.
糖心vlog传媒was a great option because Smith didn鈥檛 want to uproot her family to move somewhere else. She was able to fulfill her studies while still being close to home.
鈥淚 was 33 years old with a family and a home here, so it wasn鈥檛 like I could pick up my life and go to Victoria for four years,鈥� said Smith. 鈥溙切膙log传媒offered everything here, and the cost was significantly cheaper as well.鈥�
The structure of the BBA program also helped her transition to school because the laddering of the credentials made it less intimidating, said Smith.
鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 starting a degree; I was going in to start the program, then the certificate built to the diploma, and the diploma built to the degree,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淚t was really good to be able to have those stepping stones because I didn鈥檛 go in saying I鈥檓 getting my four-year degree; I went in going this will give me hirable skills.鈥�
While finishing her final semester at NIC, Smith began her career in public practice as a part-time accounting clerk doing bookkeeping, reconciling clients鈥� financial records, and preparing Notice to Reader files at Deborah A. Ewart Inc. in Campbell River.
Over the years, her success led to secure full-time position at the public accounting firm of Deborah A. Ewart Inc. In January 2019, Smith and Ewart formed a partnership and rebranded the firm as Pier CPA Group Inc.
Having found such success from her time at NIC, Smith is committed to paying that forward to the next generation of students through offering co-op and work experience opportunities.
鈥淭he support I received through NIC, both in class and through work experience, was invaluable to developing my skills and preparing me to go out into the workforce. I think it鈥檚 great that I can help other students do the same,鈥� noted Smith.
Smith says she left NIC, not just with the hireable skills she was looking for, but with lifelong connections to her fellow students, faculty and the broader business community.
鈥淚 still keep in touch with several close friends that I met during college. We still support each other,鈥� said Smith. 鈥溙切膙log传媒has given me lifelong friendships, as well as a lifelong career.鈥�