With two small children at home and a third on the way, going away to school was not an option for Ursula McCulloch. Having College of the Rockies located in her hometown made her goal of furthering her education feasible. She would go on to take advantage of that fact through several years and three programs.
Ursula’s first stop on her academic journey was the Office Administration (OFAD) program which she started in 2010. After completing her certificate, she returned to the College to complete a Business General Management diploma.
“After earning my diploma, I worked in the hospitality industry for a few years but found I still wasn’t satisfied with where my career was,” she said. “I once again returned to the College to complete the Bachelor of Business Administration: Sustainable Business Practices (BBA) program.”
It was the support she received at the College that made it easy for her to decide to keep returning.
“As I progressed in my education it was clear that the College was by far the right choice. My instructors were just as invested in my success as I was,” she said. “If I was struggling with an assignment I could email my instructors and they would help me through it, even if it was the weekend. I don’t think I would have received that kind of support anywhere else.”
Since graduating from the BBA program, Ursula has found employment with the Ministry of Forest, Land and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
“With the BBA program’s focus on sustainable business development and practices, I found the more I learned about operating a business in a sustainable way, the more I wanted to learn about the science behind it,” she said. “I was able to choose electives that focused on the science, which has prepared me to work within the natural resource industry. I’m able to understand and engage in conversations with clients and better understand provincial legislation because of those courses.”
Having now found a career that she loves, Ursula is grateful for the education and support she received at the College.
“You simply won’t find support anywhere else like you find at the College,” she said. “The instructors are thoughtful and truly care about the success of their students. Cranbrook, too, offers an incredible opportunity for students to have a balanced lifestyle. Outdoor adventure is within minutes in every single direction. I’m truly grateful for my time at the College.”
Learn more about Office Administration, General Management, and BBA programs at College of the Rockies.