Education

C M Y K PAGE 5 SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2022 5 EDUCATION GUIDE BUILD YOUR PRESENTATION SKILLS The Asper School of Business hosts and supports competitions that empower students at all levels to present their business cases, solve real-life challenges and gain valuable feedback from industry experts and business professionals. While building relationships with classmates and business commu- nity members, Asper students can compete in business case and busi- ness plan competitions throughout their academic journey. Competi- tions for undergraduate students take place within the Asper com- munity, as well as nationally and internationally. "Case competitions provide our students with the hands-on experi- ence required to face the rapidly changing environment and the insatiable demand for innovation and thoughtful leadership." -Dr. Bruno Silvestre, dean and CPA Manitoba chair, Asper School of Business FIND YOUR COMMUNITY Get involved with the Commerce Students' Association (CSA) or discover many different student groups open to all BComm students. Many of the groups are based on Asper majors, allowing students to meet peers with similar interests. Student groups will help you make friends, find study groups and build a net- work that will last throughout your career. The Indigenous Business Edu- cation Partners (IBEP) offers a welcoming community to all First Nation, Inuit and Métis students who intend to pursue a bachelor of commerce at Asper. IBEP offers stu- dents tutoring, mentoring, financial aid, career exploration, networking opportunities and access to their student lounge. DISCOVER YOUR INNER ENTREPRENEUR Spark your entrepreneurial spirit at the Stu Clark Centre for Entre- preneurship. The centre offers a variety of ser- vices and supports to help young entrepre- neurs turn big ideas into success- ful business ventures. The Centre's Venture Coach provides coaching, guidance and mentorship to help start, build and scale your business. GAIN REAL WORK EXPERIENCE 99% of Asper Co-op students are employed full-time within three months of graduation. The Co-op Program through the Asper Career Development Centre provides students with the op- portunity to use classroom knowledge in real-world, productive work envi- ronments, all while getting paid and earning academic credit. BComm students have exclusive access to Manitoba's top employers. "[Co-op was the] highlight of my undergraduate degree. Noth- ing else has added more value to my professional portfolio than my Co-op roles. I was able to line up a job eight months before graduating just because of this. I also learned a lot of different skills and attributes working at different organizations, mastering various software and techniques that now come in handy at my permanent job." – Neelam Shahzadi [BComm/22] For more information about admissions and the Asper School of Business, visit: umanitoba.ca/explore/bcomm 99 % of Asper Co-op students are employed full-time within three months of graduation WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEXT YEAR? Prov.ca/Apply CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 PHOTO BY DAVID LIPNOWSKI Students gather at the Asper School of Business Drake Centre. PHOTO BY DAVID LIPNOWSKI Students in a hallway at Drake Centre. PHOTO BY DAVID LIPNOWSKI Asper students during the Asper Co-op placement at Canada Life. PHOTO BY DAVID LIPNOWSKI Asper Co-op students enjoying the placement at Richardson. Among Indigenous education programs, the Access Program at the University of Manitoba stands apart. What makes Access unique is a holistic approach firmly rooted in the diversity of Indigenous cultural values, while welcoming a va- riety of marginalized students. As an Indigenous student who struggled to navigate academic systems and experienced chal- lenges different from my peers, finding a program that truly understood my needs was a challenge. It's thanks to the programming and staff at Access that I made it through my first year at the universi- ty, from mental health support to academic advis- ing and applying for student loans and bursaries. ACCESS WAS THERE FOR ME UM student Raven Bennett shares what the Access Program meant to her The small class sizes made learning much less intimidating or overwhelming than other first-year courses and allowed us to build relationships with our professors and our peers. The course material is inclusive of diverse voices and is designed to bridge educational gaps before first-year students move into their chosen majors. As an Indigenous science student, seeing our voices reflected in the curriculum made learning feel more comfortable and meaningful. Outside of the classroom, Access has provid- ed a large gateway into community and cultural events. I have been able to reconnect with so many important elements of who I am as an In- digenous person through ceremonies and other activities like beading groups and sharing circles. These events are a great way to meet other stu- dents, and even more importantly, a healthy break from studying! Knowing I can speak with one of the Elders-in-Residence if I'm in need of guidance, whether spiritually or personally, is also a great comfort. In larger universities, it can be easy to feel like a drop in the ocean, but through every step of my journey I always felt like Access was there for me. As I move into my second year at the university and into the general stream, I know I'm not alone and have the ability to tap into the amazing resources that Access provides for its students. JOIN THE ACCESS PROGRAM The Access Program at the University of Man- itoba has been supporting students for almost 50 years. Taking a holistic approach to promote aca- demic excellence, the success of the program can be witnessed in the 600+ graduates populating every profession serving our communities. Today, these students exemplify Manitoba's finest who enrich our communities and serve as powerful role models for students following in their footsteps. Call the Access Program at 204-474-8000 today.

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