Student Jaimie Van Doesburg, left, says her recent work experience in a retirement home helped her focus on a career path, while Abbeylawn Manor staff Kimberley Barrett and Kim Jimmo-Shields say Van Doesburg exceeded their expectations in every way.
For Jaimie Van Doesburg, a recent Placement Appreciation event at Durham College was an occasion where there was more to celebrate than just the end of the term.
On April 16, Van Doesburg finished her first field placement and at that point had almost completed her first year of the Durham College Human Services Worker program. Perhaps even more exciting is that through her recent work experience at one of Pickering's newest retirement homes, Van Doesburg discovered her talent and passion for working with the elderly.
Before beginning work last January at Abbeylawn Manor, Van Doesburg was uncertain about which age group she thought would be a good fit for her. It didn't take long before she realized that she had made a deeply satisfying connection with the senior citizens who called Abbeylawn Manor home.
"I found it so fulfilling to work with seniors because the smallest things, such as touching their hand or giving them a quick hug, could change their whole outlook on the day for the better," said Van Doesburg.
On Wednesdays and Thursdays from January to April, she applied the skills and knowledge she'd gained during her first semester of studies at the college to one-on-one and group activities with the residents, who thrived on the extra attention they received.
"Because Abbeylawn is a new retirement home, there was a large intake of new residents which took place fairly quickly," said Kim Jimmo-Shields, executive director, Abbeylawn Manor. "Jaimie was able to spend extra time with them as they coped with their transitions. She was exceptional and the residents adored her. Jaimie exceeded our expectations both in her ability to connect with the residents, and in terms of the benefits that our residents received as a result. We will definitely continue to partner with Durham College."
Bev Neblett, a professor in the School of Health and Community Services, co-ordinated the placement appreciation activities at the college. She says the event provides an invaluable opportunity to thank employers who provide placements to students in the Human Services Worker and Child and Youth Worker programs, and also enables students to network with employers for future field placements and career opportunities.
All of Durham College's programs are developed with advice from industry experts and include an internship or field placement so students gain work experience while still in school and make strong professional contacts - better preparing them for the future.
These opportunities for real-world experience are a key reason why employers report great satisfaction with the hiring of Durham College graduates. In fact, the provincial government's Key Performance Indicators survey results in 2008 found 95.6 per cent of employers where either very satisfied or satisfied with the hiring of a Durham College graduate.