Your Alumni Association - programs, services & new updates for you

Issue: 11

April 2011

Greetings from the Alumni Association Chair

Dear Fellow Alumni,

Membership has its privileges! With over 34,000 alumni members, KPUAA is pleased to announce that it is currently reviewing a variety of potential affinity partnerships that would result in alumni receiving preferred rates and special offers on various outside commercial services and products such as banking, insurance, travel benefits and much more.

Over the coming weeks, we will be reviewing the responses and inviting select affinity partners to submit formal proposals for this new and exciting KPUAA rewards program. Stay tuned for updates! In the meantime, please have a look through KPUAA's current "Tools for Success" offerings:

In addition to the above programs, one of KPUAA's most important and exciting initiatives is the annual recognition of outstanding alumni through the Kwantlen Distinguished Alumni Awards. There are three main benefits of celebrating our fellow graduates' achievements:

1. It honours the individual

2. It enhances the reputation of our university

3. It raises the profile of Kwantlen graduates as a whole

With that in mind, please show your support and nominate someone today! The 2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards are just around the corner!

All the best,

Kristan Ash

Chair, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association

BBA, Class of 2003

Landing the Dream Job - A Universal Wish Come True

Sarah Hawkins

PR, Class of 2009

Fellow grads - and most definitely music lovers everywhere - are quick to agree that Sarah Hawkins, 2009 Kwantlen PR graduate, has landed herself the ultimate dream job.

As a publicist for Universal Music Canada, Hawkins gets to work with the world's hottest names in music today. Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Keisha Chanté - you name it; when they come to Vancouver, Hawkins is the 'go-to' media liaison handling everything from booking appearances to facilitating back stage interviews on the night of a concert. MORE>>>

Exciting KAAT and KPUAA Board Positions

Coming Soon!

Kwantlen Alumni Ambassadorial Team (KAAT):

The Kwantlen Alumni Ambassadorial Team is a KPUAA initiative that provides graduates with an opportunity to volunteer for and give back to their alma mater. As a member of K.A.A.T., you will work directly with the alumni board of directors and the association to publicly represent the university in the community. Members of the team attend Kwantlen and community events and functions, assist with recruiting efforts, and represent Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Alumni Association. There are currently five (5) positions available. To apply, click here.

Kwantlen Alumni Board of Directors:

KPUAA, a registered B.C. society, will hold its 2011 board of directors elections online this fall. If you are interested in volunteering for the role of director (a position that provides volunteers with invaluable leadership experience and the chance to help deliver unique programs, initiatives and partnerships that support the continued success of Kwantlen alumni, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the community at large). To download an application form, click here.

Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations Now Open

KPUAA is excited to announce that the nominations for the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards are now open! Nominations must be received by the Alumni Office by Friday, July 1, 2011. Applications may be submitted by email to alumni@kwantlen.ca, by mail, or in person at Kwantlen's Surrey Campus, Cedar Building - Room G1020, or by FAX to 604.599.3138. Download the 2011 application package now!

Nominees may be former Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Kwantlen University College, or Kwantlen College graduates.

Local Alumna Reaps Benefits From Hiring a

Co-op Student - By Anita Sangha, Co-op Instructor, KPU

Cheryl Smith, a graduate of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Diploma of Horticulture is thrilled with her decision to return to her alma mater to hire a Marketing Management Diploma Co-op student, Samantha Lowe.

Smith is a local entrepreneur based out of Langley, B.C. Her business, Helianthus Holdings', focuses on designing and producing "living decor with appeal" for home office and gifts. Recently, Smith came to the critical point in her business where she needed a marketing plan. MORE>>>

Federal Election Countdown - Voting Made Easy!

As you know, Canada's upcoming federal election will be held on Monday, May 2, 2011. Whether you are a seasoned voter or new to the process, the following tips can help make your time at the polls both easy and productive!

Make sure you are registered to vote! You should have received a voter information card in the mail by April 13. If you did not receive one, contact Elections Canada to register to vote or update your voter information.
Find out where you will be voting.
Be sure to allow plenty of time if you are planning to vote right before or after work as those times are generally the busiest of all.
If you are confused or need help at the polling station, don't be afraid to ask a poll booth volunteer. They are there to help.
Be informed! Take time to learn about all the candidates. To find a list of the candidates in your area, visit the Elections Canada homepage at www.elections.ca. Under "Voter Information Service" type in your postal code and voila!

Find your Dream Job

Did you know hundreds of employers seeking talented Kwantlen alumni and students advertise job opportunities on Kwantlen's online job posting system? Register here and begin searching for your dream job today! Questions? Email careers@kwantlen.ca or call 604-599-3401.

This Month's "Hot Job" Highlights

Communications Officer, Product Care

Junior Industrial Sales and Project Assistant, Charger Engineering, April 21, 2011
Marketing and Events Coordinator, Langley Gymnastic Foundation, April 21, 2011
Website Administrator, Dr. Stephen Pinney, April 22, 2011
Marketing Coordinator, Wallmark Homes, April 23, 2011

This Month's "Hot Job" Highlights What's New At Career Services

Kwantlen's Career Services is launching monthly workshops on resume/cover letter development. Our goal is to help students and alumni better understand how to create strong resumes, which will encourage employers to call our students and alumni for job interviews. Space is limited so make sure you Register Today!

CAREER NEWS: Salary Negotiations

CareerBuilder recently released a report indicating that one-third of employers would consider increasing their employees incomes in order to help retain staff. Employers who could not commit to pay increases were willing to offer increased benefits. Click here for full report.

Business Corner - 5 Ways to get your 'Financial House' in Order after Graduation - By Marc Bains, BBA

Marc Bains

Marc Bains, BBA

Class of 2007

You've recently graduated from post-secondary school. You may have debt, you may have savings or you may be left with a bottom line of zero. You're now wondering: What's next?

If you were anything like me after graduation, you don't have a plan in place to tell you what's next. The best time to have created a plan was yesterday, the second best time is today!

Trying to get ahead financially and achieving the future you want is a difficult task. The first step is developing a personal vision and mission statement. A vision statement stands the test of time. This is your long term vision and should be broad enough to accommodate 'how you want to live your life.' A mission statement is more immediate; it is "what you do today" to accomplish your vision statement. MORE>>>

News & Events

Kwantlen Instructor Receives Teaching Excellence Award

Kwantlen Polytechnic University instructor, Chamkaur Cheema, has been named a regional recipient for the 2011 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) recognizes individuals each year who exemplify teaching excellence in the classroom. MORE>>>

Congratulations Business Scholarship and Award Recipients! KPUAA directors Kelsey Fillion and Careena Sharma attended the 6th annual Kwantlen Polytechnic University Business Scholarship & Awards Ceremony held March 9th, 2011 at the River Rock Casino in Richmond. Along with the award recipients, they were delighted to mingle with donors at the reception dinner. "On behalf of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association we congratulate the deserving recipients on their accomplishments," said Fillion.

Open House Highlights University, Alumni

From university tours to program and faculty booths, along with fun and informative seminars, Kwantlen Polytechnic University's open house held March 12^that the Surrey campus was a "huge success" said KPUAA director Careena Sharma. "It was exciting to be able to share my personal experiences, including why Kwantlen is my all time favorite post-secondary preference," she added. To learn about the university's newest degree programs, visit www.kwantlen.bc.ca.

New GDMA "Mingler" to Become Regular Event

GDMA alumni shared their valuable industry insights with students and faculty members over wine and cheese at the trendy Opus Lounge on March 9 was pure fun! The "mix and mingle" event will be executed biennially to encourage the GDMA community to learn from one another's work experiences.

Dining Tips: It's all about the "blot," people...

As part of its "Tools for Success" program, KPUAA recently held a dining etiquette workshop at Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Richmond. The event was facilitated by corporate etiquette expert, Cheryl Samusevich, who walked alumni through the finer points of business dining. Read Stuart Chase's first-hand account of the "unique learning experience" here. To view photos from this event, check out the Kwantlen Alumni Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/kwantlenalumni .

Tweets of the Month

@travelmonkey: If I was doing yoga right now, the position would be called "downward spiral".
@CelticWombat: The battle between the giant soft drink manufacturers is over: Pepsi One®, Coke Zero®
@SpacemanQuisp: Count Chocula, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and the Teddy Grahams Bear perish in house fire. S'more at eleven.