1. BeyondAshtonAS TOLD BY ASHTON COLLEGE ALUMNIFall/Winter 2014-2015
Lifelong
INSIDE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Education is your passport to the future
CHANGING CAREERS
Ashton alumni pursue their passions
and find success
THE ASHTON ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Spring/Summer 2014 graduates let
their dreams set sail!
LearningCertified Financial Planner Alex Chan talks about the
financial services industry and the importance of getting
the right credentials for career advancement
2. FOREWORD
Lifelong learning and the pursuit of
knowledge are here to stay.
Lifelong learning enables us to grow and succeed
and to continue our personal and professional
development. And with all the advanced technologies
available, there are multiple ways to upgrade skills
without having to attend a classroom at a set time or
place. Online learning offers freedom, flexibility and
the excitement of learning beyond the classroom,
and it’s an increasingly popular choice for many.
Cairrie Williamson
Manager, Program Advising
CPD Presenter Cathryn Sawicki at the Permanent Resident
Cards and Canadian Citizenship seminar held July 5, 2014.
Get more than just CPD hours.
www.ashtoncollege.com/CPD
Experience the personal satisfaction of earning your
CPD hours with continuing professional development
seminars at Ashton College. Benefit from a lineup of
relevant and timely topics, presented by distinguished
lawyers and immigration consultants in the industry.
Ashton College’s online solutions for lifelong learners have successfully produced graduates in the
fields of immigration consulting, human resources, home inspection and financial services.
We also continue to offer traditional classes, and our programs give busy
professionals the flexibility to advance their education while continuing to work
in their field. No matter what our students study, they are actively shaping their
future.
In this edition of Beyond Ashton, we celebrate stories of growth ― first-person perspectives from our
alumni on their journeys of lifelong learning, and the rewards they have reaped along the way.
3. Careers in the financial services industry demand long
working hours and require a drive to succeed in a
fast-paced environment. This challenging sector is where
Certified Financial Planner Alex Chan continues to thrive.
“I’ve worked for several years as an advisor in the Managing
General Agency (MGA) business and marketing,” says
Chan, currently the Marketing Director for BC for IDC World
Source Insurance. He says his current job mainly involves
“recruitment, training, case consultation, business planning
and independent financial advising.”
While it is challenging to work in financial services, Chan
enjoys the dynamic nature of the industry. “There’s no
typical day,” he says. “Most days, I’m out of the office, at
client functions, dinners or at meetings with clients and
other advisors. There is a wide variety of things to do, and I
enjoy the flexibility that my job offers.”
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver, Chan initially
ventured into life insurance as a career agent with Manulife
Financial. After many years of finding success in the agency
INVESTING
IN THE RIGHT
CREDENTIALS
system, he began working as an independent Managing General Agency, and he currently manages over 150 independent
financial advisors.
Chan’s credibility is a vital factor in his professional success, and it is backed up by credentials he has acquired throughout
his career. “I hold five professional designations, two of which are from Ashton College. I wanted that added credibility on my
resumé ― something to reassure my clients and my peers.”
He currently holds the CHS, CFP, CPCA, EPC and CFSB licensing and designations, giving him an edge in financial services.
“People do business with people they know, like and trust,” he emphasizes on his website.
“Consumers are smarter than ever and they are looking at your qualifications. Ashton could provide me with the credibility within
the industry that everyone is looking for.”
He says he took the EPC designation over a long weekend. “It was a condensed course, which was great for me because I
haven’t really got the time ― no one in my business does! The materials were good, and the moderators were great.”
Chan believes that obtaining the right credentials is the best way to advance your career. “We all get into careers because we
have to make a living―there is no way around it. Unlimited income potential in my field is why I stayed. My industry is highly
rewarding financially. Most importantly, it is emotionally rewarding to financially better the lives of the clients we serve, and to
positively enhance the lives and businesses of the advisors we work with.” ■
“I wanted that added credibility on my
resumé — something to reassure my
clients and my peers.”
ALEX CHAN,
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL
PLANNER (CFP®
)
2004
CHS, CFP, CPCA, EPC, CFSB
4. A WEALTH OF
EXPERIENCES
“What we learned in this diploma can
be applied to everyday life. Overall, it
was a great experience.”
Swedish student Emilie Andersson knew she wanted to
study abroad, and while looking online for programs that
interested her, she came across Ashton College.
“I wanted to study abroad, and I wanted a program that was
not too expensive or too long,” she says. Although she was
working on a degree in sociology and organizational behaviour
in Sweden, she moved to Vancouver to study at Ashton
College, graduating with her Diploma in Business in 2013.
Studying abroad provides students with a wealth of
experiences that are beneficial to both their personal and
professional lives, allowing students to experience new
cultures while showing future employers that they are
independent and goal-oriented.
Andersson advises other international students to get to
know the city and the people. “I found that many of the other
students didn’t actually experience Vancouver, even though
there are a lot of things you can do here. It helps to improve
your English, too.”
EMILIE
ANDERSSON
DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS
2013
She says that students should recognize that teachers’ expectations might be different than what they are used to in their
home countries. “It hasn’t been a huge problem, but I think some of my fellow students maybe thought that the teachers were
expecting something else. It’s cultural too. Swedish culture is pretty similar to Canadian culture, so it wasn’t too much of a
problem for me.”
Andersson said that studying abroad is a positive experience. “You gain a lot of experience and you get to know people from all
around the world. And what we learned in this diploma can be applied to everyday life. Overall, it was a great experience.”
She hopes to eventually work in organizational development and international business and says that the Diploma in Business
from Ashton College was the perfect fit for her ongoing studies and career plans.■
Credit:E.Andersson
5. “I don’t know where I would be without
the course — I placed a lot of trust in the
instructors.”
PAWAN
TAHILRAMANI
DIPLOMA IN HUMAN
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
GETTING INTO
THE CANADIAN
WORKFORCE
When Pawan Tahilramani moved to Canada in 2007 from Qatar, he wanted to continue working in Human Resources (HR).
However, without any formal training in HR, he did not have the credentials he needed to work in the field in Canada. For
some people, this might have meant turning to part-time or low-paying work. Instead, Tahilramani looked for an education that
would give him the necessary qualifications to work in Canada.
He decided that Ashton College met his needs. He wasn’t interested in an elaborate program that would take up a lot of time,
and instead wanted to find a position in the Canadian workforce as soon as possible.
Ashton College offered Tahilramani the opportunity to become a Certified Human Resources Professional in a timely manner
and on his own terms. He says that the instructors made the course an exceptional experience for he and his fellow students
thanks to their “wealth of experience” and commitment to helping students work through and understand the course material.
Tahilramani completed the program with high marks within six months.
Each year, highly educated and skilled immigrants come to Canada only to find that their credentials and experience are not
recognized here. Ashton gave Tahilramani a new way to develop his skills and get the credentials he needed. “I don’t know
where I would be without the course. I placed a lot of trust in the instructors, because I think the course in itself was fairly
straightforward... the instructors took great care to ensure we understood what HR really means.”
Within months of completing the Ashton College HR program, Tahilramani found employment in his chosen career, and he has
continued to move up within the profession. ■
2008
6. The Ashton Achievement Awards took place on
June 7, 2014. Held at the scenic Inn at the Quay,
graduates enjoyed the idyllic weather and a river-
side view.
Inside the nautical-themed great hall,
congratulatory speeches, amicable chatter and
laughter amongst family, friends and colleagues
could be heard.
For 3 years running, Ashton College has held a
unique convocation event for our graduates to
celebrate their achievements, and inspire them in
the next chapter of their lives.
Congratulations graduates... anchors aweigh,
ready, set, sail!
7. “It’s been a while since I left school, so I thought it was time to
improve my education ... to study again and feel the excitement
of preparing for an exam, waiting for the results, learning and
improving myself. I think I made a good choice.”
Dynamic and driven, fierce and fun — that’s the impression you get
from Mariana Soengkono as described in her LinkedIn profile:
“Administrative Assistant Extraordinaire and Full-Cycle Bookkeeper.”
Soengkono has worked for the consulting management company,
Whyte Reynolds International for 16 years and her passion for numbers
and her assertiveness in getting things done has allowed her to thrive
in the fast-paced administration and bookkeeping fields.
“I start with coding, do A/R and A/P and then enter them into the
accounting software,” she says. “I do the billing as well and every
month I have to do the payroll. I work with an external registered
accountant who goes over all my bookkeeping at the end of each
financial year.”
She says that even though she already had the experience and
was enjoying her work, she felt the need to upgrade her expertise,
especially her knowledge of payroll and taxes.
After researching various programs from different institutions,
Soengkono chose the intensive, three-month Certificate in
Bookkeeping program at Ashton College. “It was a lot of work and it
was very intensive,” she says. “It’s not an easy program unless you’re
able to manage your time well. I think, overall, the size of the class, the
computer software we used, the textbook and also the instructor were
just perfect.”
At the end of the program, Soengkono graduated with honours and
was one of the two winners of the Perseverance Award at Ashton
College. “The intensive schedule made me realize that I was capable of much more than I originally thought. If I decide I want to
study something else online, I know now that I will be able to do it. The program boosted my confidence and pushed me beyond
what I thought I was capable of.”
Soengkono continues to thrive in bookkeeping and greatly enjoys the rewards that come with her chosen career. The clients
of Whyte Reynolds International are entrepreneurs, which suits Soengkono very well. “Basically the clients are small business
owners. So we help them with a variety of business ideas and suggest how to enhance their business skills. I think what I enjoy
most is the variety and the diversity. Because it is a small office, I am expected to do many different tasks. At the end of the day,
it all contributes to my experience in the workplace and my life in general. That’s what I like.” ■
PASSION FOR NUMBERS
MARIANA
SOENGKONO
CERTIFICATE IN
BOOKKEEPING
2013
8. “I wanted to have the experience. You need
experience and can’t just learn from other
people who have done it.”
“I’ve been to China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Germany, the
Netherlands and Canada,” says Su-Cheol Jeong, who has
travelled extensively for his job as the overseas sales manager
for a personal protective clothing company. “I introduce our
product to overseas markets, and I have worked there for six
years.”
Successfully launching a brand into the international market
was fuelled by his passion for global business. A typical day on
the job involves searching for international distributors, making
connections and drawing up contracts. “My favourite part is
meeting the potential buyers ─ I like to meet new people.”
EXPERIENCING
NEW WORLDS
SU-CHEOL JEONG
DIPLOMA IN SALES & MARKETING
2006
Hailing from Korea, Jeong studied English as Second Language in Canada, returned to Korea for university and then came back
to Canada after graduating. “I went right from my university in Korea to Ashton College. At university, we just learned all the
theory and had no experience. I wanted to have the experience. You need experience and can’t just learn from other people who
have done it. The course at Ashton was practical and gave me what I wanted.”
Jeong completed the Diploma in Sales and Marketing in 2006, and he says that the Ashton education has brought value to his
career, deepening his knowledge about international business ethics and the use of formal business language. He also credits
his positive educational experience to Ashton’s instructors. “I commend the way the theory in the course was presented with so
many examples... it made the course more practical.”
After earning his diploma, he landed an internship as a freight forwarder. The company was going to help him get immigration
papers to live in Canada, but his family took precedence. “With my wife experiencing some trouble during her pregnancy, we
thought it best to return to Korea,” he says.
Their decision to go back home doesn’t mean that Jeong has abandoned the possibility of moving to Canada. “I really love
Canada and the way that the people are,” he says. “I hope to one day live there again.” ■
Credit:SC,Jeong
9. “Many of the people in the class were
changing careers or looking to change
careers. As professionals, we needed all
the support we could get and Ashton
provided that and more.”
Joan Wild’s background in teaching and Early Childhood
Education (ECE) has contributed to her current career.
“In ECE, we learned a lot about growth and development
from an early age, but also about lifelong learning.
Part of what I learned there gives me a much deeper
understanding of human resources.”
After being persuaded to pursue a career in human
resources, Wild chose to attend Ashton College. “I did my
research; for me it was important to find a program that fit
all of my needs, to take me where I needed to go within the
timeframe that I needed to get there — Ashton met all of
my criteria.”
She says that Ashton provided the support she needed.
“Looking back, I realize that I received incredible support
from the instructors during the process,” she says. “Many
of the people in the class were changing careers or looking
to change careers and we weren’t going straight into
college from high school. As adult learners, professionals
or emerging professionals, we needed all the support we
could get, and they provided that and more.”
PURSUING
OTHER
AVENUES
JOAN WILD
DIPLOMA IN HUMAN
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
2008
Today, Wild works as a Human Resources Adviser, and because of her experience and background, she moved straight into a
management role. “I enjoy having the ability to play a role in every aspect of HR, where no two days are the same!”
Wild gives credit to Ashton College for giving her a strong background in the subject area. “The range of instructors that we had,
the way the program was set up and the class size really gave us the opportunity to go into a lot of detail. I found that it was very
practical as well as technical, and that it was a blend of everything that made it work.”
Her advice for other students? “It is important to do research before you enter any program. I could see through my research
that the program would be very supportive, and that is what I got. It was relevant to someone in my situation and with all the
support I received and my hard work, I was able to manage the program, do the exams and change jobs all at the same time.” ■
10. Since 1998, Ashton College has delivered comprehensive career and continuing education for both
domestic and international students. From its inauguration into the competitive world of educational
institutions, Ashton has flourished into a respected private college. Embracing innovation and taking the
lead in discovering new ways to learn, students graduate from Ashton with an entrepreneurial spirit and are
prepared for today’s global economy.
At Ashton, students “think big and follow their dream”.
Partnered with top industry organizations, Ashton’s goal is to help people reach their full potential by
providing an education that’s meaningful and relevant in today’s highly competitive world. Ashton delivers
programs in Business Administration, Accounting & Bookkeeping, Financial Services, International Trade,
Immigration Consulting, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources and Business English Communication.
Contact a Program Adviser at (604) 899-0803 or visit our website at
www.ashtoncollege.com.
