Student Stories

As the guest services manager at Pacific Shores Resort & Spa in Nanoose Bay, Omar Almolla’s duties vary widely and involve numerous aspects to help ensure the continued smooth operation of the resort.

From shift scheduling to security, overseeing resort amenities to departmental objectives, it’s a given that no two days on the job are the same.

The best way to find out if you are truly passionate about something is to try it out for a while.

That’s just what fourth-year Computer Science student Nina Gill did with her recent co-operative education experience. After taking a course on cyber security, the 25-year-old wanted to explore whether a career in this area was for her.

Advocating for families and supporting them in a variety of capacities are the best parts of Taylor LeBrun’s job.

Taylor graduated from VIU’s Child and Youth Care degree program last summer, and found employment almost right away, signing on as a support worker at Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Nanaimo this past September.

Pam Vickars has always been passionate about art, but a demanding career and busy family life left little time for her to pursue it in depth.

“I took pottery, a few crafts and interior design in continuing education classes and really enjoyed them. I had this vision that when I retired I would pursue painting, which I foresaw taking more time,” says Pam, a VIU Bachelor of Arts student.

Erika Berg was thrust into the spotlight last summer as one of several information officers working as provincial spokespersons for the BC Wildfire Service. She regularly appeared on television and radio shows that were broadcast throughout the province, country and around the world. She was responsible for giving updates on the fire season, which was the third-worst year on record for the total area burned.

Vancouver Island University’s ‘su’luqw’a’ Community Cousins Aboriginal student mentorship program celebrated its 10^th anniversary in September 2021. In honour of this important milestone, we are sharing stories of people closely connected with the program every month. Stay tuned for a celebration event in March 2022 – when we hope to be able to gather in-person.

Third-year Bachelor of Science student Kennedy Ordano says maintaining your mental health is the most important thing you can do for yourself.

“It’s the foundation of everything else that goes on in your life,” she says. “Taking care of yourself first isn’t selfish, it’s necessary to be able to help others. If your cup is full, you can pour out of it; you can’t if it’s empty.”

Emily Mahony is a second-year Bachelor of Science student who is focusing on Biology and Chemistry with a special interest in the brain and its functions. We asked her what her educational experience has been like so far and where she draws her inspiration.

After being crowned the Royal International Miss Canada Pacific Role Model this year, VIU student Demitria Rounis will represent Canada on the international stage in Florida next year.

Currently in her final year of the Bachelor of Tourism Management program, the 22-year-old says she got into pageantry “almost by accident,” around the age of 16 when a friend of hers “had a friend who had a friend” who was doing a pageant.