Marketing and Communications
BCCAT makes it a priority to increase awareness of BCCAT web resources to encourage and assist students in their post-secondary planning. BCCAT's marketing strategy is overseen by the Marketing and Communications (MAC) Team:
Devron Gaber, Associate
Mike Winsemann, Transfer and Technology Manager
Valerie Yorkston, Communications Coordinator
This year, we launched a new transit ad campaign promoting our student-focused sites, EducationPlanner.ca and BCTransferGuide.ca. This campaign began during the 2010 Olympics and is ongoing to June 2011. The ads are displayed on the SkyTrain, Canada Line, and buses throughout the Lower Mainland and the rest of the province.
In addition, we undertook a number of other advertising initiatives; delivered presentations and demonstrations to assist students, counsellors, and career practitioners in the use of BCCAT web resources; and participated at education/career fairs.
These events present valuable opportunities to interact with students, parents, teachers, and advisors. Students and advisors repeatedly comment on the usefulness and accessibility of BCCAT websites. We often hear from students and counsellors that EducationPlanner.ca provides a "wealth of information," it's "easy to use," and BCCAT should "keep up the good work." Parents and counsellors also frequently comment that they would have appreciated having access to resources like these for their own post-secondary planning.
Finally, as part of these efforts, we designed a brochure to provide an overview of the BC Transfer System and BCCAT online planning tools for distribution to students. The brochure may be translated in the future for international recruitment purposes.
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Perspective on TransferKasara Toth, BCCAT student representative and UBC transfer student, shares her transfer story below. This is one example of the value of education planning and the advantages of transfer for BC post-secondary students. |
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I am your typical BC transfer student. I began my educational career at Capilano University where I studied for five full-time semesters in the area of general science. As my last year neared I was faced with the decision to transfer early, or remain at Capilano where I would not be able to complete two biology courses necessary for my future goals. I chose neither option. Instead I decided I would use the transfer system and remain at Capilano for my last year. Schedule organization was challenging; however, luck was on my side and I found a perfect fit. In September 2009 I began my year at Capilano and enrolled in three courses; concurrently I began an online course with Athabasca. Come January I added Douglas College to my list of attended educational institutions and took two classes; in addition I had two more classes at Capilano as well as the remaining work for the online course with Athabasca. Needless to say I missed most lunch hours during this semester, as this time was spent rushing between New Westminister and North Vancouver. Today I have BCCAT to thank - not only for my easy transfer to UBC - but also for the knowledge that my 2009/2010 academic year was a possibility. The BC Transfer Guide was my map as I navigated my way through course searches to reach the perfect combination. Had I not had this amazing tool I never would have known that this kind of transfer was achievable. These days post-secondary transfer is so common and in my opinion the services that BCCAT provides are absolutely necessary for students whether they transfer or not. The knowledge that choices are available to both secondary and post-secondary students is truly valuable. |
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