Candice Collins
Public Relations Management Certificate
When Candice Collins graduated from high school, she wasn't interested in post secondary education and didn't see it in her future. She surprised herself a few years later when she enrolled in the Public Relations Management Certificate at University of Calgary Continuing Education.
She recently graduated and has already begun working towards a second certificate, this time in Marketing.
"After high school I worked in the hospitality industry and I liked my job," says Candice. "But once I had my son, I realized I wanted more. I wanted an education. I wanted to be able to provide for him and set a good example."
Candice changed fields after her son was born, and was employed as a receptionist when she started considering options for further education. She thought she would like to work in communications at the same company where she was employed and began asking for advice on how to make that happen. She was directed toward Continuing Education.
"I enrolled in the Public Relations Management Certificate program and knew after my first course that I was in the right place," she says.
"After I'd taken a few courses, I was able to fill a maternity leave in the communications area of my company, and later in the newspaper, where I work full time now," says Candice. "I was given these opportunities because of the courses I was taking."
Candice did her full program in three years, taking one course at a time, always in class.
"For me, Continuing Education was an awesome experience. I would definitely recommend the program to others," she says. "I enjoyed it so much, I've already begun a second certificate and will likely do another after that."