When considering her post-secondary education, Collette Robertson wanted to acquire the necessary university credits to be able to transfer into Dalhousie University’s marine biology program.
She also wanted to be able to stay in Kimberley where her Dad lived. College of the Rockies offered everything she was looking for.
“The location was the main reason I applied to College of the Rockies. I also liked that the class sizes were small; I saw that as a great asset when jumping back into academics after being out of school for two years. Once I attended the College, I realized what a deal I had really received. I had no idea just how great the instructors would be,” she says.
After completing two years of University Studies courses at the College, Collette was able to transfer into the Dalhousie Marine Biology program in Halifax, NS. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology in 2013 before working as a research assistant at Dalhousie, focusing on a phytoplankton-ballast water project in the oceanography department. She worked as a seaweed biologist for almost a decade, doing field work all over the Atlantic provinces before joining Ocean Tracking Network as a glider technician, working on autonomous underwater vessels and acoustic telemetry.
Currently, Collette works for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as a hydrographer, mapping the seafloor to create nautical charts for Canadians.
Feeling her time at the College has contributed to her success, Collette highly recommends others choose the institution, especially for those looking to complete a degree.
“For anyone on the fence about attending the College, I would highly advise it, especially the University Arts and Sciences program. I am so happy I decided to go there and that I was able to get to know my instructors as people. I believe the relationships I built with them allowed me to make connections with my professors at a larger institution like Dalhousie as well. Not being intimidated by professors is a key to success in university.”
Find out more about University Studies at College of the Rockies.