Post by Michael D. Nicola on Oct 11, 2007 19:33:44 GMT -5
From The Toronto Star
New course an auto-matic fit for car fan
Bachelor of applied technology one of many degrees now offered by community colleges
October 11, 2007
MIKE FUNSTON
STAFF REPORTER
Matt Finbow has a talent for art and an interest in cars, so the thought of a career in automotive design excited him.
"As a career, I thought this was for me," says the Halifax native.
But the only schools he could find that offered such a program were in the U.S. and Europe and far too expensive for him to afford.
"So when I graduated from high school in 2002, I took some art courses in Nova Scotia and worked to save some money."
It was some time later that Finbow heard about a new four-year bachelor of applied technology program in industrial design being offered by Humber College in Toronto. It included the option to specialize in automotive design during the final two years.
Some Ontario community colleges, including Seneca, Sheridan, George Brown and Centennial, were given approval by the province in 2003 to offer applied degrees in certain fields, independent of universities.
Until then, many colleges had offered some degree programs in conjunction with universities, as well as their regular diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs.
Applied degree programs differ from general arts degrees by offering occupation-specific teaching, including a work placement.
"I was very excited about it, applied and got accepted in 2003," Finbow says.
In his fourth year, students in the program entered an automotive design competition sponsored by the Canadian International Auto Show.
"I had to design a vehicle to appeal equally to people aged 16 and 60 years," he explains. "It was quite a challenge. I was stumped for a long time, but ended up coming up with a design that came in third.
"There were 50 entries from 18 design schools around the world. That brought me to the attention of Magna (the auto parts giant)."
Manfred Gingl, founder and CEO of Magna Marque, a new consumer products division, saw some of Finbow's drawings and hired him after graduation.
"I thought, `This is the kind of guy Magna needs right now,' " says Gingl, describing Finbow as gifted.
As a result, he will now be looking even more closely at Humber's industrial design grads "to get the cream of the crop," Gingl says.
"I'm absolutely happy," says Finbow. "I couldn't imagine a better job for someone as young as me, just graduated from college. It's a tremendous opportunity."
Starting salaries for industrial design range from $32,000 to $55,000. After five years, they can jump to as much as $70,000 and, after 10 years, $95,000, according to Humber officials.
Finbow was among the first 27 graduates of the industrial design program at Humber.
Today, Humber also offers applied degrees in paralegal studies, interior design, e-business, creative advertising and contemporary music.
In 2008, it will add applied degrees in fashion management, human resources management and international business, with approval still pending for a fourth program: tourism management.
Alexandra Osacenco was always interested in being a lawyer, but she was unsure about investing all the time and money in law school, just in case she decided it wasn't for her.
She heard about Humber's paralegal program and thought that would be a good introduction to the profession. Her work placement was in criminal law and, when she graduated, she found a job with a Toronto law firm.
"I absolutely love it. I've always had an interest in criminal law," says the North York resident.
"I'm in and out of court all the time and I do much of the stuff that a lawyer would do," appearing before judges to get remand dates and adjournments and doing lots of paperwork, among other duties.
She's enjoying herself so much, in fact, that she has just written an entrance examination for law school.
According to Humber officials, salaries for paralegals who work for law firms begin around $35,000 and, after five years, depending on the job category, can range from $40,000 to $60,000. Senior law clerks/paralegals at major law firms can earn $85,000. Senior municipal prosecutors can earn $90,000.
"There is a growing market for degrees that are much more purposefully focused on the job market," says Humber president John Davies.
He explains the programs offer small classes taught by people who know the business, with the goal of producing graduates ready to step into jobs in their fields.
So far, so good, he says. "Our graduates have proved to be very successful in the marketplace."
New course an auto-matic fit for car fan
Bachelor of applied technology one of many degrees now offered by community colleges
October 11, 2007
MIKE FUNSTON
STAFF REPORTER
Matt Finbow has a talent for art and an interest in cars, so the thought of a career in automotive design excited him.
"As a career, I thought this was for me," says the Halifax native.
But the only schools he could find that offered such a program were in the U.S. and Europe and far too expensive for him to afford.
"So when I graduated from high school in 2002, I took some art courses in Nova Scotia and worked to save some money."
It was some time later that Finbow heard about a new four-year bachelor of applied technology program in industrial design being offered by Humber College in Toronto. It included the option to specialize in automotive design during the final two years.
Some Ontario community colleges, including Seneca, Sheridan, George Brown and Centennial, were given approval by the province in 2003 to offer applied degrees in certain fields, independent of universities.
Until then, many colleges had offered some degree programs in conjunction with universities, as well as their regular diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs.
Applied degree programs differ from general arts degrees by offering occupation-specific teaching, including a work placement.
"I was very excited about it, applied and got accepted in 2003," Finbow says.
In his fourth year, students in the program entered an automotive design competition sponsored by the Canadian International Auto Show.
"I had to design a vehicle to appeal equally to people aged 16 and 60 years," he explains. "It was quite a challenge. I was stumped for a long time, but ended up coming up with a design that came in third.
"There were 50 entries from 18 design schools around the world. That brought me to the attention of Magna (the auto parts giant)."
Manfred Gingl, founder and CEO of Magna Marque, a new consumer products division, saw some of Finbow's drawings and hired him after graduation.
"I thought, `This is the kind of guy Magna needs right now,' " says Gingl, describing Finbow as gifted.
As a result, he will now be looking even more closely at Humber's industrial design grads "to get the cream of the crop," Gingl says.
"I'm absolutely happy," says Finbow. "I couldn't imagine a better job for someone as young as me, just graduated from college. It's a tremendous opportunity."
Starting salaries for industrial design range from $32,000 to $55,000. After five years, they can jump to as much as $70,000 and, after 10 years, $95,000, according to Humber officials.
Finbow was among the first 27 graduates of the industrial design program at Humber.
Today, Humber also offers applied degrees in paralegal studies, interior design, e-business, creative advertising and contemporary music.
In 2008, it will add applied degrees in fashion management, human resources management and international business, with approval still pending for a fourth program: tourism management.
Alexandra Osacenco was always interested in being a lawyer, but she was unsure about investing all the time and money in law school, just in case she decided it wasn't for her.
She heard about Humber's paralegal program and thought that would be a good introduction to the profession. Her work placement was in criminal law and, when she graduated, she found a job with a Toronto law firm.
"I absolutely love it. I've always had an interest in criminal law," says the North York resident.
"I'm in and out of court all the time and I do much of the stuff that a lawyer would do," appearing before judges to get remand dates and adjournments and doing lots of paperwork, among other duties.
She's enjoying herself so much, in fact, that she has just written an entrance examination for law school.
According to Humber officials, salaries for paralegals who work for law firms begin around $35,000 and, after five years, depending on the job category, can range from $40,000 to $60,000. Senior law clerks/paralegals at major law firms can earn $85,000. Senior municipal prosecutors can earn $90,000.
"There is a growing market for degrees that are much more purposefully focused on the job market," says Humber president John Davies.
He explains the programs offer small classes taught by people who know the business, with the goal of producing graduates ready to step into jobs in their fields.
So far, so good, he says. "Our graduates have proved to be very successful in the marketplace."