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Applied Communication

• Awards and Bursaries
• Student Advice
• ACP Alumni Association

Awards and Bursaries

• B.C. & Yukon Community Newspaper Association Journalism Scholarship Award — This award is presented during an annual convention for community newspapers. It is awarded to one or more first year students who demonstrate a strong involvement in print through contributions to the college paper, the Nexus, and other publications. Application required.
• Island Blue Print (Shemilt) Bursary — This award is administered by financial aid for students with an unmet financial need. You must apply to financial aid for this award in the fall.
• James Bay Bursary — This award is administered by financial aid for students with an unmet financial need. You must apply to financial aid for this award in the fall.
• Victoria Media Club Bursary — This award is administered by financial aid for students with an unmet financial need. You must apply to financial aid for this award in the fall.

Student Advice

Keeping an Open Mind

"So you've come to ACP to be a video producer. Or maybe you're here to fulfill your big dream of graphic design. How about radio or newswriting? This is a media generalist program that deals with all aspects of media production. If you want to concentrate on one area of the media field you're going to have to wait until the final semester. Here at ACP we learn skills ranging from video production to journalism writing, which is the reason why this program is like no other. It's key to keep an open mind and realize that your passion for graphic design may change into a whole new interest or career by the time you finish."
—Brendan Strain

Multitasking: The key to time management

"Multitasking. The word dates back to 1966 and was first used to describe computers performing several functions simultaneously. If you enter ACP, there will be many times when you will be asked to be a computer and perform several functions at once. You will be asked to multitask. There are two ways multitasking can help you succeed in ACP. First, multitask when doing assignments which require you to work with the public. For example, if you were to interview somebody for video class, you may also be able to interview that same person for radio class, saving yourself time. I think of it as making the utmost use of your resources. The second way to multitask comes from within: times where you must force yourself to sit in front of a computer to work. Right now, for example, I'm writing this story for prospective students. Before this I wrote a report for a video segment. Before that I was working on our annual. The best way to manage these tasks is to make a list, stay calm and work through each item thoroughly and professionally until complete. It will be surprising what you can accomplish in a short period of time."
—Ben Harrison

Taking Criticism

"If there's one thing you need to be able to do before entering Applied Communication Program, it's knowing how to take criticism. You need to be able to accept that you can only please some of the people some of the time. Quite often you'll find that you totally disagree with the opinions of you classmates. But criticism is a form of advice, and advice is invaluable. Remember that the criticism you receive from you colleagues is not an attack on you, or your work; criticism is a form of invaluable suggestion that should be appreciated."
—Ben Terrill

Professionalism

"The purpose of ACP is to learn, and then hone communication skills. As ACP infiltrates our lives and becomes a home away from home, one important characteristic can be neglected ... PROFESSIONALISM. This may sound daunting at first but it's really rather important. After all, employment is everyone's inevitable goal. When answering the phone in the Business Lab for example, you should remember that a prospective employer may be on the other end. Use polite and efficient telephone manners. By the same token, when someone else is using the phone, others in the Business Lab should show some courtesy and respect by keeping voices lowered and refraining from shocking or obnoxious behaviour and conversations. The telephone is not the only source of contact we have with the outside world: a lot of external traffic flows through ACP facilities, including Focal Point guests, tour groups and clients. Seminar is another area not to be overlooked. The people who come in to speak can be a direct link to the particular industry you may like to work in after completing ACP. Seminar can be an opportunity to make a first impression. It's a good idea to dress respectably and use professional body language during the presentation. After all, the person standing at the front of the class could be on the lookout for some new employees."
—Evelyn Blanchard

Be a Team Player

"When you enter ACP, you are dealing with your fellow classmates and staff members almost everyday and all day. You will be getting group assignments and your group relies on you to do your share of the duties and for you to be there. If you can't, you better have a good reason and you better let them know early. This is the same advice that should be taken when missing classes. If you tend to assume that others can read your mind or won't miss you if you are not there you will be sadly mistaken. This can cost you in the long run. As the program continues and you continue these bad traits, your classmates will not want you as a group member and you will be stuck alone with a lot of responsibilities. Then this program will be tougher than it already is."
—Andy Ralph

ACP with Children

"If you ever needed to spend quality time with your kids, here's your chance, because there be very little quantity time during the two years spent at ACP. Time with your family may mean involving your children in your world more than theirs. Depending on their age, try to include them in your projects as much as possible. Explain to them what you are doing in terms they can understand and involve them in the creative process as much as you can. Ask for their input on your assignments just as you would ask fellow students. They would be thrilled and honoured to help Mom or Dad with college homework!"
—Corinne Bolt

Keep it in Perspective

"The Applied Communication Program is without a doubt very intense. It has a tendency to be paradoxical, as the work can be very exciting and gratifying, but at the same time, the workload can become overwhelming. The challenge is to prevent the load from diminishing the experience as much as possible. It is very easy to get 'too attached' to a particular assignment and spend an inordinate amount of time getting it 'just right'. There is nothing wrong with this kind of work ethic—in theory. But in ACP there is more than just one assignment. Too much time spent on one assignment and letting others fall by the wayside eventually leads up to stress. It can be frustrating putting a great deal of time into something, yet still feel you haven't made a dent in your assignments. Sometimes the best way to deal with this is to just take a step back from your project. Maybe take a night off. This can be a difficult concept when you're in the thick of the semester, but occasionally you reach a point where you just aren't being productive anymore and don't know what to do next. Sometimes you just need a break, and quite often, when you get back at it, new approaches to projects will present themselves. Occasionally you simply have to 'let go' of the assignment and accept that while it may not be perfect, other assignments require your attention."
—Scott Ashton

Alumni Association

The Applied Communication Program started in 1972 at Camosun College in Victoria, BC. Since then, the program has trained hundreds of students for media careers. Take 5 is the ACP Alumni Association newsletter. For $10.00 a year, previous students can become members of the Alumni Association, and receive the quarterly publication Take 5. Take 5 will fill you in on changes taking place in the program, and all the latest news and gossip of fellow ACPers. Cheques can be made payable to the ACP Alumni Association and send to the ACP Alumni Association, Camosun College, 3100 Foul Bay Rd., Victoria, BC V8P 5J2.