Category: academics Page 10 of 13

One year ago my life looked very different than it does now… I was attending university, taking classes to complete my math degree, and already dreaming of summer break so I could travel, camp, and hike again. You may be wondering how this is any different than my life currently? And you’re right… it’s not really. But at the same time it was SO different!

A year ago I was beginning my second year at a local university in B.C. that is widely known as a “commuter campus.” Almost no one lives on campus, so the mind-set is that you go to class, sit down, take notes, and leave again. “Community” isn’t really a word that fit into anyone’s vocabulary. However, for myself that was what was missing! A couple years prior I had spent 6 months living in a wonderful community at a bible school in southern Germany. I was longing to experience something like that again… and my current university was not quite making the cut. I couldn’t imagine how I was going to get through the next few years of school in the environment I was in. So I began searching for other options, and before I knew it I was registered for CMU!

I knew that coming in as a transfer student wouldn’t be easy. Transferring credits is a real pain, never mind the fact that it’s difficult to jump into a tight-knit community of people and find a place you fit in or a group that you feel a part of. But the fears that I had were soon drowned out by the sound of people welcoming me to sit with them at snack time, and classmates asking how my transition to a new school and province was going. Professors and advisor’s doors were always open, and they genuinely seemed to care about not only my success in the classroom but outside of it, as well, something that I had never experienced in university before.

I could tell that CMU was a school full of people who were intentional about building friendships, and welcoming others, like myself, into that community life. This open and welcoming environment is what has made all the difference in my university experience so far. My hope is to go on to complete my Bachelor of Education degree with the desire to teach internationally one day.

Guest blogger Daniela is a math and social sciences major.

In my last year of high school, I was far from sure where I would end up going for post-secondary education. My leaning was toward business, but I didn’t know where I would go. I ended up at CMU after hearing about it and the Redekop School of Business (RSB) from one of my teachers. I loved the idea of a small school with a Christian perspective, as I had experienced in high school.

After talking with admissions and attending an open house, I was sold! A nice bonus was the scholarships that have been so generously provided by the Redekop family for business students. I’m so glad I chose CMU, because I have made so many friendships and had great experiences here through classes and living on campus.

But why am I taking business? I wasn’t interested in the medical field, no matter how much my mother tried to persuade me. Getting a business degree is a great step towards a career in the business world, which is ever expanding. For me, I need a degree before I can go after an accounting designation through the CPA program, and business makes the most sense to lay that foundation. But there are so many other possibilities within the business program, from management to entrepreneurism to international business to marketing! The core of the business degree gives students the opportunity to learn about all of the aforementioned categories and more.

Doing business at CMU may seem challenging, but the professors here are amazing. It’s great to be able to stop in and have a chat with them about a difficult assignment question, potential topics for your looming end-of-the-semester paper, or just a chat over a cup of coffee at one of the cafés on campus. In the RSB, we have the benefit of having a huge variety of people teaching our classes, many of whom work full-time doing what they are teaching. It’s great to know that they are giving us both textbook knowledge and experiential wisdom from the real business world.

Another great facet of CMU’s business program is the project opportunities that we have in the latter courses. I have had the opportunity to apply course concepts to real businesses and non-profit organizations, such as Siloam Mission. Last year’s project brought us before the board of Siloam for our final presentation!

For many people, a business degree, or even a handful of business courses, are a great idea. Whether you’re planning to take over the family business, become an entrepreneur, or just want to brush up on your presentational and other professional skills – it will be a huge assent for your future career!

Guest blogger Vanessa is a fourth year business student at CMU.

Where to begin?

Grade 12 is a stressful time. Homework becomes more difficult, getting up for
school seems to become harder, and whether you like it or not, you will be faced with the questions “what’s next for you?” It is often hard to know where to begin the process of thinking through what will happen when you graduate. This is why CMU students have thought up some ways to help you make this transition smoother. The hope of this blog is that by the end of the year, you will feel more comfortable and ready to ask yourself these questions with excitement and anticipation.

What is crucial to remember is that this is your future and it begins with you – it’s a journey. A good place to begin is by asking yourself questions that can help you figure out who you want to become and where you want to go.

The following 6 questions aim to help you begin your search for “what’s next”:

1. What do you do well? This is a great place to get started when thinking about what to do next. Think about your talents. Ask friends and family members about what they see as your strengths. You might be surprised by what they say.

2. Who do you look up to? By looking at someone you admire, whether it’s a celebrity, historical figure, or a personal acquaintance, you can learn a lot about yourself and the things you value. When thinking about these people, ask yourself if those qualities or ways of living are something worth reaching for in your own life.

3. What accomplishments have made you most proud? Thinking back to what made you the most proud of yourself can help you discover your values and what might be worth more of your time as you explore options for your future.

4. What’s your favourite class? Think about which classes have made you lose track of time and held your interest. It is always easier to do the homework if you actually enjoy what you are learning!

5. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Your childhood dreams can point to what’s always been important to you. This can be a helpful indicator of either the school or program you’d like to pursue.

6. If you could do any job for a day, what would you do? Think through what’s appealing to you in the work field. Also ask yourself the question: If you could change something about that job, what would it be?

These questions are an excellent jumping off point, as you discover more about yourself and where you want to go. CMU wants to help you learn more about what your goals are in life and the journey you wish to take. We are here to help you search for “what’s next” as you begin that ride.

Blessings –

Emilie