As we continue to celebrate 10 years of the Bachelor of Business Administration: Sustainable Business Practices program, we look back at one of our alumni – Katie Hamar – who received the education she needed to succeed, and found a diverse community of friends, while at College of the Rockies.
Katie was introduced to the Kootenay region when she travelled from her home in Moncton, New Brunswick to visit her sister in Fernie. She quickly fell in love with the East Kootenay and decided to pursue her post-secondary education at College of the Rockies.
Enrolled in the Tourism and Recreation Management (now two separate diploma programs), Katie soon found there was more to attending school in Cranbrook than just a beautiful location.
“I found an amazing community of friends from several diverse cultures,” she said. “And learning was made fun due to the incredible instructors who taught us with respect and an openness to our thoughts and ideas.”
With her Tourism and Recreation Management diploma complete, Katie sought to expand her future opportunities in the tourism industry by enrolling in the College’s Bachelor of Business Administration program. Once again, she was impressed by the level of education she received.
“I felt challenged intellectually in the program, with just the right amount of freedom to thrive,” she said. “I felt as though I was a peer, a respected future business woman, and a friend.”
Upon graduation, Katie found employment as the Special Projects Coordinator at Island Lake Lodge in Fernie. The sustainability focus of the BBA program became especially applicable as she headed up the Green Committee, exploring ways to further the Lodge’s sustainable operations.
Learn more about the College’s Tourism Management, Recreation Management, and Bachelor of Business Administration programs.