Forty years of building confidence for career seekers
*Published by the Vermillion Voice on November 14th, 2005
Lynsey Palmer’s heart beat rapidly. She was a nervous wreck. She walked toward the 49th Street doors of Reeves College and wondered if this was going to be like high school all over again. She doubted herself.
Would she be able to handle the workload? After all, she had yet to finish Grade 12 through correspondence courses. Confused and frustrated, she wondered what she would do with her life. She knew that no one would hire a 19-year-old with just a high school education under her belt. She knew she wanted a career but didn’t know where to start.
The she remembered why her dad suggested Reeves in the first place. She wanted more than a job; she wanted a career. She swallowed her self-doubt and stepped over the threshold ready to begin her first day.
Lynsey’s self-doubt and apprehension are typical emotions particularly for those changing careers or (re)entering the workforce. The current job market is very competitive.
The combination of formal training, marketable skills and experience makes an impressive resume, but not everyone has these advantages. For over 44 years, Reeves College career programs have helped students develop the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in a fast-paced job market
Jessie Hoben had been interested in the medical field for years, but lacked the proper training to start a career. Additionally, she’d been out of school for almost 40 years and was frightened by the thought of becoming a mature student.
When she registered for the Medical Office Assistant diploma program at Reeves, she wondered if she’d fit in with the other students.
“It laid a huge feeling of overwhelming on my shoulders,” she remembers
Like Lynsey, Jessie faced her insecurity and began her studies. In very little time, her self-confidence improved. She also realized that she had formed a solid support network on campus.
The small class sizes fostered strong relationships between Jessie and her instructors and, of course, fellow students.
“Taking the MOA program has made me understand what I am capable of … [it] has taught me that with some hard work and help from a great teaching staff and friends that the impossible is possible,” she says enthusiastically.
Pam Brandt, another Reeves grad, agrees with Jessie about the support network. Although excited by the new challenge she also felt intimidated about returning to school in January 2005. She wondered if she’d fail miserably or exceed her own expectations.
However, once settled into the routine of business administration classes and studying, Pam enjoyed school. She made new friends and realized that many other students shared a common goal of building a better life for themselves and their families.
“The camaraderie was a huge part of my success at Reeves – the friendly competition, the support, a sense of belonging,” she says.
She credits the instructors and administrators for nurturing a sense of community on campus.
They would organize denim days and potluck and pizza lunches. Their professional, yet approachable style made the transition into the business world easy.
“Dressing and behaving professionally is stressed at the college [and] it just comes naturally after a while,” Pam adds.
A self-proclaimed ‘bionic typist’, Pam felt confident in her abilities when she graduated from Reeves. Moreover, she was excited about her future. She even exceeded her expectations and graduated with honors.
Lynsey Palmer exceeded her expectations, as well.
“Since I became a student here at Reeves College, I think I have changed as a person,” she says confidently. “I am more proud of myself.”
She has every right to be proud. During her program, she completed her high school diploma through correspondence.
Before she finished up her seven month office administration diploma, she lined up a job as an office manager for a company in Lloydminster.
When she thinks back to her first day of classes in March, Lynsey realizes that she made the best choice for her. Since then, she made new friends, gained valuable skills and found a career.
She’s no longer a confused and frustrated high school student; she’s a capable and confident professional.
“Soon I will be walking out of these doors and I will look back with no regrets at all,” she says with a smile.
By Warren A. Mailey
