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Greetings from the Alumni Association Chair
Kristan Ash |
 | | Kristan Ash |
Dear Fellow Alumni,
Through my business dealings, I have had the opportunity to meet a variety of professionals who have reached exceptional levels of career and financial success. While they hail from vastly different backgrounds and industries, they all have one thing in common: despite fear and uncertainty, each one of them willingly risked the chance of "failure." And though it is true that not all of their ideas and ventures took off as planned, they never let the "what-ifs" stand in the way of possibility.
In life, as we know, there are no guarantees. All professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders and business owners will eventually come face-to-face with waves of fear and doubt. However, according to one of my favourite authors, Jonathan Fields, properly understood and harnessed, these pressures can become assets, rather than setbacks. In this month's Tools for Success article, Jonathan shares four tips for taking risks in the face of uncertainty and what happened when he gave up a six-figure income as a lawyer to make $12 an hour as a personal trainer.
In my experience, those who learn to embrace risk open themselves up to the greatest creativity, innovation, and success. So, I ask: How willing are you to take a chance on reaching your full potential?
All the best,
Kristan Ash
Chair, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association
BBA, Class of 2003
P.S. Speaking of chances, the deadline for Distinguished Alumni Award nominations is December 2 so be sure to download an application today because you just never know! |
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KPUAA Needs Your Vote!
Show Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association (KPUAA) your support by attending this year's board of directors elections and annual general meeting taking place Monday, November 21 at the Surrey Campus from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in room G2110 (Cedar Building).
"This is an extremely important event for the alumni association, as well as our university so we are asking that all Kwantlen graduates please attend and cast their vote for their chosen elected representative," said Jeff Norris, executive director, KPUAA.
Currently, there are seven candidates running to fill six KPUAA board of director positions. In addition to guiding the programs and direction of the alumni association, the role of the elected directors is to represent the voice and interests nearly 40,000 Kwantlen alumni.
"KPUAA directors are also responsible for nominating Kwantlen's chancellor and two members of the university's board of governors -- three key positions that directly impact the future of Kwantlen," said Norris.
The event -- which will include a networking component, hors d'oeuvres and desserts -- will feature guest speaker Kent Mullinix, director of Kwantlen's Institution of Sustainable Horticulture (ISH), who will discuss the sustainability of global food sources.
Click here to read a complete list of candidates and their profiles. To register for the event, please RSVP today. | |
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Alumni Highlight of the Month
 | | Shina Boparai |
Name: Shina Boparai
Program: Public Relations
Grad Year: 2006
Job Title: Advancement Officer, Alumni Relations
What is your primary role at Kwantlen Polytechnic University? My primary role is to bring together Kwantlen alumni and to help them build lifelong relationships with the university and the community in order to help build Kwantlen's reputation, as well as the impact that Kwantlen graduates have on both the university and the world. I liaise between Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association and the University to create and encourage engagement opportunities for alumni. MORE | |
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Tools for Success
Taking Risks in the Face of Uncertainty
Surveying the events of the past ten years, there is perhaps no better description of our current collective consciousness than "uncertain." From terrorist attacks and global financial crises to massive unemployment and political upheaval, the growing sense of unease -- at both the individual and global level -- is palpable. Fear, anxiety and uncertainty have come to define "the new normal." MORE | |
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Career Services: Hot JOBS!
Top 5 "Hot" new employment postings on Kwantlen Career Services Job Posting System:
- AMA Management - Business Plan Consultant
- Reliance Foundry - Marketing Specialist
- Make A Future - Education Assistant
- The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program - Coordinator for International Relations
- Commissionaires BC - Account Executive
Need help with your job search?
Providing resume review, interview preparation and labour market research, Kwantlen Career Services coordinators are available at all four Kwantlen campuses to assist you with your job search. To request an appointment, visit Career Services or contact Shelley Vidal, Kwantlen Career Services Coordinator at 604.599.3401 or shelley.vidal@kwantlen.ca. | |
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Business Corner
Corporate Entrepreneurial Management: Your key to success in today's workplace. By Nicholas Pavlich, KPUAA Director
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Nicholas Pavlich
Grad of '99 & '06 |
When most people think about an "entrepreneur," they often conjure up an image of someone running their own business -- a "boss" who is autonomous in his or her choice of time, manner and place of business.
However, this traditional view of an entrepreneur is changing. In the past few decades, companies are more and more focused on the need to engage all employees in a culture of working actively towards the company's business and bottom-line goals. They are encouraged to be innovative, to manage change and to be actively opportunistic in any and every activity that will strengthen the organization's brand, generate revenue or save the company money. Fostering this type of entrepreneurial culture requires breaking down previously-built, stereotypical corporate structures to make way for employee innovation, change and opportunity capitalization.
So, as an employee, how you can you be an "entrepreneur" MORE | |
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News, Events, & Updates
News
Events
KPUAA Elections and AGM
Food, prizes, guest speaker, elections, and networking for all alumni
Date: Monday, November 21, 2011
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Surrey Campus, Room G2110 (Cedar Building)
Please RSVP here
ULink: The link between You, Your University & Your Future
Date: Thursday, November 24, 2011
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Surrey campus conference centre
RSVP here.
SAVE THE DATE!
Distinguished Alumni Awards evening & Kwantlen's 30th Anniversary Gala
Date: Friday, March 2, 2012
To get the latest update on events, please check the KPUAA website closer to the events or get regular updates via twitter and facebook.
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Volunteer Opportunities | |
First Year Matters
Hello Alumni! As you look back on your own first year experience, we are certain many ideas come to mind that would have improved your experience for you. We need those ideas! A focus group of alumni will be formed to discuss the above question. Your voice in this process is critical.
If you are interested in participating in the focus group session, please send along your interest along with your full name and email address to foe@kwantlen.ca
Kwantlen Public Art Committee
The committee is responsible for making recommendations related to the acquisition, exhibition, maintenance, and storage of objects in accordance with the Public Art Policy for the university. If you have a background in the Arts and are interested in being an Alumni representative on the committee, please email alumni@kwantlen.ca . The committe will meet about 3 times a year. |
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Tweets of the Month
@cravenheart: The ability to laugh at yourself is a wonderful gift. Here. Let
me get you started.
@HindSight5050: Where's the daylight savings time setting on a five year
old?
@StumpWoodley: LG now has refrigerators with wi-fi...like my deli ham
needs to be watching Youtube videos all day.
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KPUAA's mission is to bring together Kwantlen alumni and help them build lifelong relationships with the university and the community, increasing the institution's reputation and the impact that graduates have on Kwantlen and the world. | |
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Alumni Professional Directory
Did you know KPUAA offers a free professional listing to all alumni, whether they are business owners, consultants or company employees? In addition to providing great networking opportunities, the alumni professional directory is a way for Kwantlen alumni to support one another and, in some cases, offer fellow alumni discounts on products and services. For more information, please View/Search the Kwantlen Alumni Professional Directory. | |
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Alumni Association
12666 72nd Avenue,
Surrey, BC V3W 2M8
alumni@kwantlen.ca KPUAA welcomes story ideas and alumni written material. To submit a story or share your ideas, please email alumni@kwantlen.ca. |
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