VIU Students at Beach

Career Studio

From lieutenant commander to business student

Submitted by Eric Zimmer on November 13, 2024 - 10:55am

At age 30, Carol Seabra thought she had everything she had strived to achieve in life – a job as a high-ranking official with the Brazilian navy, a nice apartment and enough money to travel and see the world. After a life-altering injury in 2019, she began doing some deep thinking about next steps and realized there was more she wanted to achieve. She had visited Canada in 2018 and she decided that living, studying and working here would be her next move.

Life is more fun with purpose

Submitted by Rachel Stern on July 4, 2024 - 9:21am

Brian Yin discovered his passion for education while coaching and mentoring others when he worked as an auditor in New York. He contacted his old high school principal about the possibility of becoming a teacher and after an encouraging reply decided to pursue teaching.

He enrolled in VIU’s Bachelor of Education, Post Baccalaureate program, graduating in 2017. He now works as the Principal of Sino-Canada School. 

Business etiquette tips for students

Submitted by Jenn McGarrigle on January 2, 2024 - 1:52pm

Making your way in the professional world involves more than just what you know. How you act and present yourself is just as important. At Vancouver Island University, a key focus is on preparing our students for the realities of the workplace. This includes the critical social skills needed to succeed in Canada’s unique business environment.

Putting classroom learning into practice

Submitted by Rachel Stern on June 26, 2023 - 2:30pm

VIU History student Ethan Hummel put his classroom learning into practice at the Nanaimo Museum. He worked as a heritage interpreter at the museum through the Young Canada Works program this spring and last fall. 

Ethan says his first-year history classes gave him a strong base for working in the Nanaimo Museum. He also gained a new perspective on Canadian history because the museum works closely with Snuneymuxw cultural knowledge experts and Elders.

Impacting others through supportive leadership

Submitted by Jenn McGarrigle on June 22, 2023 - 5:07pm

Olivia Wright grew up in Whitehorse, Yukon, and moved to Nanaimo just before starting high school. During her Grade 12 year, she applied to the Bachelor of Business Administration program at VIU.

“My dream is to own a successful business that positively impacts others,” she says.

Olivia is starting her career in human resources as an intern with Western Forest Products. Here’s how VIU is helping her get where she wants to go.

Finding her dream job in sports management

Submitted by Jenn McGarrigle on June 18, 2023 - 6:46am

It took Emily McComb half a year to find her fit at Vancouver Island University. After spending a semester exploring a nursing career, she made the switch to tourism management – a decision she’s never regretted now that she’s thriving as a sports management professional. Emily graduated from VIU in 2021 with a Bachelor of Tourism Management degree, as well as a diploma in Sports and Recreation Management and a certificate in Event Management.