Attending Confederation College was a pivotal point in my life. The experience provided me with the best foundation in my field that I've seen offered. The faculty were tremendous and hugely supportive. Chi miigwetch. Nia:wengoha.
My Most Positive Experience or Memory of Confederation College
Being able to have such great faculty was a key factor. They were open to talk about a whole range of challenges that students experience. They were encouraging, including with me bringing my youngest infant daughter with me to class so I could continue breastfeeding and bonding with her during her first few months. Attending the annual powwows, being around so many dynamic students, making some really good friends ... those all were so important to my time there. I have to make special mention of Fran Berube, Barb Walberg, Shirley Stevens and Elmer Baxter (who helped feed many students with his hunting skills!)
My Recollection of a Funny Story, a Fond Memory, a Teacher Who Made a Difference, etc.
During my last year (1999/2000), I was in with a new class (to me). We got along great and spent a lot of time joking around. Our program coordinator, and main Professor, Fran Mehagan-Berube, had such a way of teaching us: part humour, part academics, and all well grounded in her rich life experience, with a no-nonsense expectation that we would all deliver high-quality work (hence the stress/frantic feelings on our part). We had many laughs, great discussions and she has been my primary role model for my own teaching experiences.
My Job & Job Responsibilities
Most of my work has been as a counsellor in Indigenous programs and First Nations communities. But I have also worked as faculty for a few different post-secondary institutions.
What Brings Me the Greatest Satisfaction From My Job
Helping people see their strengths, gifts and potential.
How Confederation College Has Prepared Me for Work in the Field
It gave me a really well-balanced applied/theoretical foundation of helping skills framed within an Indigenous perspective.
My Advice for Someone Considering this Program or Career Path
Absolutely dig into it! But also dig into yourself! If you don't learn to look after you (your issues), learn to see things through the eyes of another, you need to look at doing something else.
The Most Sought-After Qualifications & Talents That Employers are Currently Seeking in this Field of Work
Unfortunately, I'm finding more and more (at least in Ontario), a huge increase in the demand for graduate level (Masters) social workers to do the job that college grads are often better equipped to do. The penchant for overly-specialized training/education is creating a significant problem for many of us working in the counselling field. There also remains a significant lack of awareness of just how western systems (Human Services) are continuing to negatively impact Indigenous people.
My Sense of the Current Job Market Conditions in my Field of Work
It waxes and wanes. I left Ontario just over 2 years ago because finding work with reasonable wages in my field was virtually impossible.
My Personal Success Highlights
My experience at Confederation started me on a path of continuing my post-secondary education, while working full-time. I'm trying to complete my Ph.D., now, in Indigenous Studies through Trent University. My research focus is the meaning people attach to using traditional healing to deal with trauma. I've been so fortunate along the way, to meet and work with highly visible and influential people in the Aboriginal mental health field, such as Dr. Ed Connors, Dr. Brenda Restoule, Susan Manitowabi, Danny Manitowabi, Yvon Lamarche, and so many others. It's been so inspiring and has motivated me to do things I never dreamed I would.