Fifteen Durham College (DC) students have been offered once-in-a-lifetime opportunities this summer to support the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. Three students from the School of Media, Art & Design will assist the CBC in broadcasting the events, and 12 students from the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology will help build and maintain residences for the athletes.
Three second-year students in DC’s Broadcasting for Contemporary Media program were nominated by their professor and accepted as interns with the CBC following an intensive interview process. Only 30 paid internships were available to post-secondary broadcasting students across Canada. Their work at the international event will consist of assisting camera crews at the competitions or working in the CBC’s Broadcast Control Centre.
“I am so proud and excited to start my career at one of the largest multi-sport events happening in Canada, and, of course, with the CBC, which has a long-standing history of excellent broadcasting in Canada,” said Brittany Sprung, who will work in the CBC’s control centre.
The remaining 12 are students in DC’s Construction Carpentry – Sustainable program who will be working as carpenters and carpentry assistants to build and maintain residences for more than 7,000 athletes. Repair teams will be broken into three eight-hour shifts so workers are available to address any issues 24-7. Following the event, the residences will be gutted and transformed into private residences, so the opportunity provides students with valuable hands-on experience in the field.
“We have a high calibre of talent at DC, and this opportunity is a testament to the tremendous skills and knowledge of our students.”
“I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity, and am thankful to DC for providing me with the knowledge required to land such an excellent opportunity for the summer and perhaps the future,” said Robyn Walter, a Construction Carpentry student.
The 2015 Pan Am Games run from July 10 to 26, followed by the Parapan Am Games from Aug. 7 to 15. The events will take place across southern Ontario, including six in Durham Region in Whitby, Oshawa and Ajax.
“We are very excited and pleased that our students have this opportunity to gain skills in such a high-profile international event,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “We have a high calibre of talent at DC, and this opportunity is a testament to the tremendous skills and knowledge of our students. This event will certainly put their abilities to the test, but we know they will excel and shine as ambassadors for our programs, the college and the Region of Durham.”