In November, members of the local business community attended the Alliance Excellence Achievement Program (AEAP) breakfast hosted by Loyalist College Business Administration students. They came to discuss the challenges they are facing and learn how the students can work with them to address specific issues. Many of the guests had previously worked with Loyalist students and returned to explore future partnerships – others attended for the first time and were curious to hear how the students will be able to assist them.
Rhéaume Chaput, Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Belleville Fire Department, worked with a team of students last year and came to the event with the hope of connecting with another group. “I was very pleased with the final product that the students submitted — it exceeded my expectations. They were asked to prepare a business impact analysis and were challenged to take the city’s entire entity into consideration. They looked at the core business functions of each unit, the resources necessary for them to perform these functions and the interdependency needed to operate in the event of a disaster. The students completed a comprehensive report that identified the needs of each business unit and the key services they required from other business units within the city. Their organization and professionalism was impressive. As an advocate of education and lifelong learning, I’m glad we were able to provide them with this business experience and appreciated how they were able to assist us.”
Business Administration attracts students from many walks of life – including recent high school graduates and people with varied work and life experiences. They are challenged to excel and innovation is applauded. “I worked in a manufacturing environment within
the automotive industry for ten years before returning to school,” said Sheila Mabee, a third-year student. “AEAP is a great way for us to interact with local business leaders. It gives us the opportunity to apply what we have learned in the classroom and practice our networking skills. These projects develop relationships between students and potential employers — a positive network for when our job search begins.”
Past AEAP projects have included working with organizations such as Bayfield Homes, the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, AMER Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Forces and the Belleville Bulls. The students have documented policies and procedures, developed business and marketing plans, created recruitment and retention programs, analyzed cost-cutting opportunities, completed detailed needs analyses and reorganized warehouse-material flow.
Tony Pilon is in h
is final year of Business Administration and chose Loyalist because the program encompasses all the components that he will need as he enters the workforce. “The professors are the program’s greatest strength — their combined knowledge and experience is incredible. AEAP gives us the opportunity to understand what local businesses are looking for, work hard and build contacts.”
The students’ commitment to their chosen field is reflected in their volunteer activities as well. The Loyalist College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team has over 50 members. A global organization, SIFE was formed to teach and motivate students to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. They are encouraged to understand that business is based not only on what they can gain – but also on what they can contribute. Student teams have been built on more than 1,800 college and university campuses in over 40 countries. This year Loyalist’s team participated in Global Entrepreneurs Week by hosting a series of speakers to motivate current and future entrepreneurs and innovators – providing them with information on how to start their own businesses. The team will also host Let’s Can Hunger throughout the week of December 6th – in support of the local food bank. The event will give participants the opportunity to donate food items in exchange for the chance to win gift cards from local businesses.
People interested in preparing for a career in the exciting and diverse world of business can begin immediately. Loyalist offers a January start in the Accounting, Business, Business Administration, and Business Sales and Marketing programs – so there’s no need to wait. Click here to learn about these and other January program start opportunities.