Issue link: http://georgiancollege.uberflip.com/i/1523627
17 GEORGIANVIEW 2024 PRINT EDITION MILITARY-CONNECTED COLLEGE MILITARY-CONNECTED COLLEGE ones coming in," recalls Jesse. "I just got the feeling it was the atmosphere I was looking for." The team's dedication to the sport made it easy for Jesse to connect with his teammates because they were similar in discipline to what he was used to. However, it took a little longer to get used to his younger classmates, most of whom were just out of high school and didn't have the same level of life experience. "They were a good group," he notes. "Most of the students are going to be successful wherever they go in life, but it took a bit for me to kind of gel with them on two aspects: I was a mature student in college again at 30 years old and also I came from such a disciplined walk of life they didn't share." Some of his instructors had also been in the military, and there was a student in the program who was in the Reserves, so Jesse found people he could relate to on a different level than just course material. His leadership qualities strengthened in the military, which was a good way to eventually connect with his peers. In his firefighting platoon with four other students, he was unanimously chosen as team captain. "It was during the summer semester at our live fire training where the team cohesion and camaraderie really showed," says Jesse. "At the end of the live fire training week, the instructors gave out a select few awards to the students who stood out and one of those awards was titled the 'Wolf Pack', given to the platoon that displays excellent teamwork. My platoon won that award and I have had comments from my platoon members that because of my guidance, discipline, and standards that I held for my platoon we were successful in achieving that award. I hold my head high knowing that and hearing that some of my platoon members looked up to me as a mentor and inspiration." Georgian became a military-connected college in September 2022 and Jesse credits the program for helping him succeed academically, including helping him to successfully transfer previous credits and life experience through the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition program (PLAR). "All these resources and services offered by Georgian were a fantastic aid and I was so grateful I was able to use them," he says. "They helped me succeed in my college program and gave me the confidence I needed to go into the career application process with a solid resumé. With Georgian being a military- connected college, I was also able to take my completion of the DP1 (Development Period 1) Infantry course and apply it to my Communications credit through the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) process. This allowed me to have a bit more free time during my first semester to focus more on school work – and of course rugby." For more information visit GeorgianCollege.ca/military. As of September 2022, Georgian has been recognized as a military-connected college (MCC) and supports more than 160 military-connected students. The program offers the following supports and more: • a dedicated MCC coordinator to support students and space at the Barrie Campus • academic support • help getting former academic credentials and life experience transferred through Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) • assistance choosing programs that match skillsets • help accessing financial assistance through scholarships, awards and bursaries • referrals for mental health counselling • referrals to student services • the Georgian College Military Veterans Club for social activities • career support College connects with veterans