“George Brown’s Activation Coordinator/Gerontology program is an incredible combination of a very skilled faculty and a well designed program of field placement”, says Brian Grant - a recent graduate of the 2 year program.
Before enrolling in the program, Brian had worked in the technology field as a Systems Analyst. “Although I really enjoyed working with computers, I found that I got a lot more enjoyment in working with people” he says. “I knew I wanted to change careers and focus my direction to working with older adults. I took the time to look at the different programs offered in both Colleges and Universities in Ontario. I learned about the Activation/Gerontology program offered at George Brown and knew it would be the perfect choice. In looking at the course curriculum, I realized that a lot of planning and experience had gone into developing classes that would effectively teach students how to both knowledgeably, and caringly, work with older adults.”
“The courses in the program were taught by instructors who were great at sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm”, Brian says. “We would also spend two days a week, outside of the classroom, in placement. My first year’s placement was in a Long Term Care facility, in the second year I was in placement at an Adult Day Program. I found that the instructors worked with the students to help ensure that the experience we had at placement built on the knowledge base that was being taught in class – it truly was a great way to learn”.
After graduation, Brian was hired as an Activation Coordinator at The Belmont House – a well respected facility in Toronto that offers long term care, retirement living and apartments for older adults. “My position at the Belmont House allows me to use both the Activation skills and knowledge in Gerontology that I learned at George Brown”, he says. “George Brown gave me the skills to succeed in the position, and the self confidence to continue learning, and advancing in the field.”
In addition to working at The Belmont House, Brian is also taking distance learning courses towards his B.A. in Gerontology at Laurentian University. “The relationship between George Brown and Laurentian meant that, after graduating, I was quickly able to start taking courses towards a Bachelor of Arts Degree – which had been another of my goals.”
For the future, Brian will continue to build on the foundations he has developed through taking the Activation Coordinator / Gerontology Program at George Brown. “Gerontology is an exciting and growing field. I am truly grateful that George Brown offers such a program – it has helped me be in an area that is personally rewarding and almost unlimited in terms of career opportunities”.
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