Attending a post secondary institution can be a great experience, but finding a summer job or a full time career can be stressful.  If you are looking for employment in the agriculture industry there are various websites available such as Ag careers and indeed jobs.   With these websites you can choose which province you wish to work in and have them send you emails when jobs open up.  There is also a link on the Olds College website with a variety of job postings, no matter what program you are enrolled in. This method can be effective for students who are looking for a job/career in another province. 

          It is strongly recommended that students begin their job search after Christmas so that they can find one that they enjoy.  This is also a useful method for students who are enrolled in any of the applied degree courses as it opens doors to different sectors of  the industry and to gain practical experience.

Good luck job hunting!!

It is often recommended to stay on campus for your first year of studies. This helps the student adapt to student life more smooth. However, as a first year student living off campus, I can say that is has given me an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Growing up with the luxuries of having every meal prepared for myself, clothes magically cleaned and folded over night, and dishes washed and put away, I never realized the time and effort put into these chores. When I walk away from Olds College, it will be with much more than just a diploma; it will also be with life experience.

When coming to Olds College, every first year student is given full access to the Ralph Klein Center, housing this state-of-the art gym, located on the south side of campus. Also included is access to the Olds Swimming Pool, located just north of the RKC.  This has added to my experience at Olds, giving me a place to clear my mind from school and exercise. With the gym and pool open early in the morning, and late at night, this allows you to go for a quick dip before classes, and go run a few laps at the track before you head home for dinner. Both the RKC and the pool put on events such as water polo, water aerobics, spin classes, boxing, etc, which students can participate in, often at a reduced rate. So when coming to Olds College, don’t pass up an awesome opportunity to stay healthy, and get fit!

Are you willing to develop as a person and a player? Put the team before yourself?  Have a good attitude? Willingness to work hard?

Then YOU should play on the OLDS COLLEGE BRONCO’S FUTSAL TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had the privilege of interviewing Mark Oxer, Head Coach of the Olds College Bronco’s Men and Women’s Futsal teams.

Mark mentions that playing on the Futsal team can have many benefits off the field including personal development, being part of a team, time management skills, fun and friends.

Although many schools in the province have futsal teams the Olds College Bronco’s team is different in how we train, which Mark says differs in how we play the game. The team does fun drills in practice. We play the game of futsal, while listening to music.  We use methods of “street soccer” that promote rhythm, creativity, and freedom of doing something wrong in practice.  As a result, we play our games with rhythm, creativity and freedom.

Playing futsal at college is a great experience.  Not only would you get the benefits of skill development associated with the game of futsal (skill development that doesn’t occur playing traditional indoor soccer) but you also benefit of participating at a high level within the sport of soccer.  Furthermore the bonding that occurs with a college team is greater than that of a club team, because you train, play games and live with your teammates on a daily basis.

The future of futsal is very exciting for Olds College.  The college is currently making arrangements to partner with local and provincial organizations. Along with this we are looking at having players and coaches come from around the world to work and live in the community to develop local coaches and players for the future.

Some of Mark’s highlights from working with this year’s teams include the great work ethic and positive attitude.  He feels overcoming some difficult situations and gaining positive results shows character. The teams also play with great team chemistry and that is always exciting to be part of something larger.

1.) Flip Flops- I highly recommend bringing flip flops to school if you are going to be living in the dorms, they are great for just walking around but wearing them in the showers is also a good idea.

2.) Sheets- The beds on campus are a twin XL meaning a regular twin fitted sheet will not fit them but, if all else fails, a regular twin flat sheet will fit.

3.) Laundry Hamper- I have a laundry basket to take clothes to the laundry room but also ended up getting a square laundry hamper that fits in my closet, because the one to carry my laundry did not fit in my closet.

4.) Travel Coffee Mug/ Travel cup – Having some sort of reusable drink cup has been a very versatile thing for me. I have used it for drinking coffee and smoothies from Bean Brokers (across the street), for watering plants, putting flowers in from Valentine’s day, putting laundry soap in it, cooking noodles in one (because the Styrofoam cracked), and eating ice cream out of it because we had no bowls.

5.) Printer Ink- There are lots of things to print in the first month… I found Costco is the cheapest place to buy printer ink.

6.) Lots of Change- There are vending machines all over campus and in the dorms, and the washer and dryers take quarters and loonies. There are change machines in FGH but sometimes they are out.

7.) Mattress foamy- For me the beds weren’t super comfy so I had to get one. It was the same with my roommate but I know some people in the dorms that don’t mind the beds.

8.) Alarm Clock- Yes I know that everyone has an alarm on their phone but believe me…one day before something important you will forget to plug your phone in and it will die and your alarm won’t go off!

9.) Warm Clothes- The weather here changes pretty quick being by the mountains, one day is super warm and you are wearing shorts the next day there is three inches of snow!

10.) Swimming stuff- on campus there is a super nice pool and it is free for college students to swim!

Last night after witnessing both the Junior Men’s and Senior Men’s final game of the A-CAL basketball tournament this weekend the pride of our college was well displayed. This tournament was held at Olds College over three days from March 8 – 10. Many students from both Olds College and the competing schools came out to cheer on their teams to victory. The two Junior Varsity teams got the crowds going with going into overtime. Both teams were able to keep the game tied for a very long time. The two teams were Olds College’s Broncos and St. Mary’s Lighting teams. The result of the game was a 61-60 win for Olds College in the overtime winning bronze.

Following that the Junior Men’s teams the Senior Men’s basketball team overfilled the stands with support as Olds College Broncos took on the Canadian University College for the gold medal and trophy. The spirits were high with Olds College’s students dressed up in spirit wear holding signs in their hands and cheering on their peers. Some students even went home to get some pots and bands to try and compete with the other school’s band in cheering on the basketball team. The result of the game was the Olds College Broncos losing 85-79 to CUC Aurora in the championship game coming out of the tournament winning silver.

In just one week, a team of five students and two faculty advisers will be departing Olds College for Lethbridge to compete in the Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition. This competition measures the strength of a team’s ability to analyze situations and create options and recommendations for the client. This competition is a great way to develop skills for business Ventures.

This year, our faculty advisers are:
Kim Kennedy – School of Business
Rob Eirich – School of Business

The students on the team:
Myself (Erika) – Team Lead/HR/CEO – Business Administration
Tiffany – Finance – Business Administration
Carli – Marketing – Business Administration
Brandon – Marketing – Business Administration
Brittany – Operations – Agriculture Management

The competition spans over three days – Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Thursday evening is the welcome banquet and teams are assigned names and presentation times for Saturday. Friday the case is released to the teams, who are sent to their “war rooms”.  Here, we take the case and work on it for 7-8 hours (including lunch).  Friday evening, after the students have completed their analysis, we practice and rest for the 12 minute presentation the next morning.  Saturday, the teams present at their assigned times and await the results.

The strategy competition prepares students to begin analytically thinking about a business or company.  It is a fantastic way for first year students to get a head start on their strategy class and for all students involved to utilize that hands-on training that Olds College is all about!

Strategy Team Classroom

     Being that I’m a Business student at the Olds College, I decided it was appropriate to put together a survey asking some questions about the college. I have asked Robyn to give me her opinions to my questions; she is also a 2^nd year business student. Firstly, I wanted to know why Robyn chose Olds College, and being that she is from the area her biggest motivation to coming here was the location.  I asked what courses she has enjoyed the most and why, her answer was Business Math, and her reason being Mary. Mary is a phenomenal teacher’s assistant (now teacher) that works at the college. All the students that I have been with over the last two years have all grown extremely fond of Mary; she’s extremely helpful and has a brilliant way of connecting with students!

     I asked Robyn what her most rewarding experience was at Olds College, and she confirms that making friends was hands-down the best experience for her.  I also asked her if she was an employer hiring a graduate what would be three characteristics that she would look for, her response: Communication skills, Ethics, and someone who takes Initiative.  All these characteristics are ones that students develop here at Olds College.  Robyn also feels that her diploma from Olds College will be her ticket to a many job possibilities and even the opportunity at further education.

     Olds College is a positive place for students to learn and grow, most of my peers would agree.

Goat Tying at Olds College

Olds College Rodeo Club alumni rodeo went off without a hitch on January 28, 2012!
With current rodeo club members and alumni of the rodeo club coming back from all over Alberta, there were over ninety entries in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Break Away Roping, Tie- Down Roping, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Bull Riding, Cow Riding and Steer Wrestling. Admission was ten dollars to come watch the rodeo, along with a concession stand and beer gardens. After the rodeo at six pm there was an awards banquet at the crossing on campus with a dinner of pulled pork sandwiches, caesar salad and potato wedges. At the awards banquet the first place winners were awarded with a trophy hat can. Some of the winners were Lacey Stanton for Barrel racing, Leah Olstad for Goat tying, Amber Hines for Pole Bending, Katie Marshal for Break Away roping, Tyler Johnson for Tie-Down Roping, Greg Hoar for Steer Wrestling, Armondo Davila for Bull Riding, Jake Brown for Saddle Bronc and Kye Marshal for Bareback Riding. The night before the rodeo there was a Barrel Racing jackpot.

Not sure about college yet?  Here are some questions that I had when I was preparing for college!

1. What college/university is best for me? I asked myself, how do I want to be different when I leave college? For me, business is about relationships. Olds College stood out because of the excellent relationship between students and faculty. I really find that instructors take time to understand students. If I miss a class, they encourage me to come to them with questions. If I am under the weather, they encourage me to go home and rest. Olds College is a very tight-knit campus and that creates a successful atmosphere that helps me succeed in my studies and sets a model of how I want to run my business.

2. Class Sizes? It’s no secret that Olds College is a small college. School of Business classes can range anywhere between 10 and 40 students. With small class sizes, you are certainly not just another student. You are an individual and that means you get to learn more from your professors!

3. Are there clubs are Olds College/Will I make friends? You bet! Olds College has many clubs; Judging Club, Horticulture Club, Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship, Turf Club and lots more!  These clubs (and your classes) are fantastic ways to make friends!  Not only are there student clubs, but in Business we have a Strategy Team! A team of students and two faculty advisors compete in an Alberta wide Case Competition. The competition is a way for us to challenge ourselves and learn even more about business. It is a fantastic way to do hands-on learning!

4. Living at home versus living on/off campus. I was fortunate enough to live at home during my first year and a half at the college.  I just moved out on my own and it is a fantastic experience! I understand the “scary” side of moving away from mom and dad, but don’t be afraid.  Moving away is not always easy, but it is a fantastic growing/learning experience.

5. Is there stuff to do in Olds? I grew up here, so I can say a definite yes for that! Not only do we, as students, have unlimited FREE access to the pool and gym, there is a fantastic uptown core with coffee shops, a movie theatre and many clothing/shoe stores within three blocks of the campus!

As a student, I know I made the right choice. My experience here has been amazing and my instructors encourage me to achieve my future ambitions, no matter the size of them!