OCNews

Okanagan College’s first graduating class of the new decade will cross the stage today and among the some 600 grads picking up their parchment will be Elaine Bertram who is celebrating an exciting first for herself and the School of Business.

Bertram is the inaugural graduate of the College’s Human Resources Management Post-Baccalaureate Diploma program.

“When they told me I was the first graduate of the program I was shocked – but in a good way,” says Bertram. “It's an honour to be the first graduate.”

The program, which launched in the fall of 2018, is accredited with the Charted Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and is considered to be equivalent to a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a Human Resources specialty.

“If you want to go into HR and have another degree already, this is the best way to do it,” says Bertram. “The professors are amazing – they care about your education and help you to achieve your goals. The courses are in depth but are taught at a comprehensible level.”

The two-year program is aimed at students with a bachelor's degree in any business or non-business program other than those with a Human Resources Management major or specialty, who wish to pursue a career in the Human Resources Management field.

“I really liked how flexible the program was,” adds Bertram. “The classes did not clash with one another so I was able to take all the classes I wanted and still cover the program requirements. There were options to take courses online which I opted not to do until I needed to, as the professors make the classes enjoyable to attend. There were a lot of group projects so I met a lot of great people and made some friends right away, which was great.”

Bertram is currently the Plant Administrator at BC Tree Fruits with plans of taking some time off after graduation to do some traveling.

“I'm really proud of the fact that this program pushed me to do the best I can, and it showed. I competed in competition and achieved high grades, making Dean's List for the first time in my whole time in post-secondary education.”

“We congratulate all our graduands on their successes, and acknowledge the hard work and dedication they invested to get here,” says OC President Jim Hamilton. “Our students and alumni have an immense positive impact within the region, across the province and beyond. Today, as we send hundreds more graduates out into the world, that impact continues to grow.”

Winter convocation is the first of the College’s eight ceremonies that take place this year. Around 600 students from all four campuses will cross the stage today at the Kelowna campus to receive their credentials.

The morning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and the afternoon ceremony at noon. Both ceremonies will stream live on the College’s Facebook page.