This month's feature story - Brandi Kohl
Brandi Kohl (nee McKinnon), Youth Care Worker Certificate, Saskatoon Campus, Class of 2003
I cannot say enough about Saskatchewan Polytechnic. I am of Metis decent and I’m proud to be a Sask Polytech graduate. My certificate opened the doors to help my community. I graduated in 2003 with my Youth Care Worker Certificate from Kelsey Campus (SIAST) in Saskatoon.
The first year I applied, I did not get in so I went to the University of Regina, I struggled there. The classrooms were huge - I think there was 100 students in my Art 100 class. Luckily enough, I got into SIAST the following year. What a big difference. The classrooms were small and the teachers knew you by name and the actual classes were about things you could apply in the field. That year, I got great marks, which surprised me because didn’t do so well academically in high school or in my first year at the U of R. I think what contributed to that was the classes were interesting and the teachers cared about your success. I had two practicums within that year. When I was done my certificate, I felt ready to be in the field.
I am a big fan of Sask Polytech because when I was there, I felt empowered. I was able to get a job within the field in less than a month. I actually got a job at the place where I did my last practicum. I loved my job and I felt like I was ready and prepared because of the classes and teachers at SIAST. I ended up working at that first job in the field for 14 years. I worked at the Rainbow Youth Centre in Regina. I had numerous positions there. First, I was an Outreach Worker and cruised the streets looking for youth in need. Then, I was a Youth Worker, where I had many opportunities to facilitate educational, cultural and recreational programming. My last position at the Centre, I was a Youth Skills Coordinator. My main funder was the Ministry of Justice. My main responsibilities were to facilitate court mandated educational programs on topics of anger management, harm reduction and life skills. I also went into school to facilitate workshops on numerous topics, like healthy body image, positive self-talk, sexual consent and cyberbullying. I found a sense of belonging in the community. Most of the youth that attend the Centre are at risk and suffer from poverty. I believe that SIAST gave me the skills and the confidence to make a difference in my community.
I have recently graduated with my Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina. I am now employed as a Social Worker, with the Saskatchewan Health Authority at Child and Youth Services. Yes, I have my degree, but I also give credit to SAIST and the Youth Care Worker program for obtaining my current position. The Youth Care Worker program gave me the opportunity to valuable experience within my community. I also believe the key to ending poverty and the social issues that come with it, is education. My experience at SIAST, not only gave me the training to obtain a job, but the confidence to know that I will be successful. Sask Polytech is that place that you can go to for a year, get trained and get a job. When you have job that you are trained to do and good at, it builds your self- esteem, and in return, it builds a bright future for yourself, your family and the community.
October 24, 2018