I have other Diplomas; I have had jobs in different fields. For a few years in my late 20’s, I was hired as a Community Support Worker in the downtown eastside, but I was told that I should get my diploma to find or keep work in the field. I ended up having more children and continuing to do other less meaningful jobs here and there.

Once enrolled in the Community Support Worker program at Discovery Community College, it was a big struggle and challenge for me. I tried my best and found strength in the projects I did and the questions I asked, learning more about the areas I have always been interested in, but now that I’m finished, I am looking forward to my future as a Community Support Worker.

I am so proud of myself!

I can whole heartedly say that taking this course was worth it!

I am an adult who spent the better part of my life raising kids and working jobs of all kinds. But there was always a constant: that I was always helping someone or showing support in or for my community.

I finally took a leap of faith on myself and came back to school. It was very scary for me at the age of 44 with a grade 8 education, but I knew I had what it took to learn the fundamentals and collect the proper tools to continue helping and supporting, creating the most beneficial outcome for the people in my community and for myself.

Discovery Community College allowed me to do that in an evening/weekend class, which is absolutely what made it possible for me to go back to school. I got to learn so much from so many people from all walks of life, and I was lucky to create some great connections with some really, great people.

We had three instructors, all very knowledgeable in their own way. Through the changes though I was able to continue learning and collecting tools through the books.

My practicum was amazing! The transition was made easy by Marilyn, who was quick to help set me up in the perfect placement. I was able to put my skills into play while continuously learning from the staff and members at my placement. At the end of my practicum, I was hired on to be part of the team.

What an amazing team! Thanks for helping me close this chapter and opening many new more.

I’d like to first say that I am so grateful and blessed to have been chosen for such an amazing experience.   Ever since I can remember as a child and growing up as a sensitive person I have always loved helping and caring for others.  My first taste of the health care field was when I was 15 years old, I started volunteering as a Candy Striper through the Hospital Auxiliary in Port Alberni.  I enjoyed this fulfilling experience for 4 years until I finished high school.   

I’ve had many jobs and have met so many wonderful people and feel like I’ve supported and helped where I could; however, I’ve never really felt fulfilled or made an impact. 

Over the years I’ve contemplated the Health Care Assistant (HCA) course but life in those moments was not the right time for me to pursue it.  I was waiting for my mom in Nanaimo General Hospital and the Discovery Community College Health Care Assistant program info popped up and I felt the urge to contact them and find out more.  I was put into contact with Kosta and the rest is history!

I have overcome many challenges this past year to get to where I am today, and I have successfully completed the HCA Program with top marks and 100% attendance certificate as well.  I feel I have grown so much as a person since the start of this journey, and I am excited to make a difference in someone’s life.   

Words can’t express how much gratitude I feel for the amazing opportunity to have such a prestigious diploma program offered to me fully funded.   

The Health Care Assistant program was my first time completing a program in Canada. I found it to be an amazing learning experience.  I gained lots of knowledge from the theory. During my lab and clinical, my instructor Josephine explained everything from top to bottom in not only the lab, but the clinical too. 

At that start, I found the clinical to be very challenging. I kept wondering how I would be able to complete the program. However, once Josephine explained everything to us, and showed us physical examples, I found everything very easy. She boosted my confidence a lot! If I didn’t understand something, Josephine was always there to help. Everything went so well in my clinical that I found the preceptorship to be very easy and efficient. I learnt a bunch of new things, and had new experiences.  

After clinical and preceptorship, assistant living was a very different experience for me, compared to long term care. I saw and learned lots of new things. There was a new environment there and I found that to be amazing. Overall, I learnt a lot of new things. I personally think that the Health Care Assistant program allowed me to be a better version of myself. Thanks to Discovery Community College and Josephine for helping me have a start for a new career/life!

 

Hi, my name is name is Enica Sumague. This year, I decided to take a step into the Government Funded Certified Dental Assisting program. When I was first informed about this course, I found it hard to believe that it was free. As a person who was unsure about what I wanted to do as my future career, I took this chance to try something new. 

Throughout the different courses, I struggled with the pace we were learning at first, but with enough effort and work put into my learning alongside the help and support of our teacher, I managed to make it through the courses. I am also grateful for the time we got in our clinic days.  It was enough time for us to learn and practice our skills, allowing us to perform the skills learned in practicum.  It was nice to be able to get a feel of what it was like to work in a dental office.

With friends and and classmates, it was much easier to cope with the struggles I had because they understood what I was going through, they were able to empathize with what I was feeling because they were also going through the same. As this was my first time in college, I really appreciated the Discovery Community College (DCC) staff for being so kind and understanding with anything I needed help with. I found the staff to be approachable, and as introverted person, it helped me open up to them with anything I needed help with. I gained a lot of knowledge about dental health, which will help me throughout my daily life. 

 

Good experience! I got a job opportunity after completing the dental receptionist course.

Neeru is an outstanding student advisor at Discovery Community College. Always approachable and supportive, they provide invaluable guidance and genuinely care about student success. Neeru’s expertise and dedication make navigating academic and personal challenges much easier. Highly recommend!

The staff were all very supportive, caring and compassionate.

Really enjoyed my course and the staff. Fantastic instructor, Student services was fantastic too. Loved the smaller class sizes!