Phoebe Abasolo

Phoebe Abasolo's Story

Graduate of Academic Upgrading

Phoebe Abasolo spends her days doing what she loves best, baking delightful treats like crème brule cream puffs, fruit galettes, and specialty breads and delivering them to customers around the Niagara Region.

Phoebe, who is just 22, gained the confidence to launch her home-based business after successfully completing Academic Upgrading courses at Niagara College and starting the college’s Baking and Pastry Arts program.

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Eddie Turner

Eddie Turner's Story

Graduate of Academic Upgrading

“Growing up, I struggled with school. I didn’t like being there and I couldn’t complete the assignments”.

Despite starting Academic Upgrading at the same time that COVID changed traditional methods of learning, Eddie is close to successfully completing his upgrading plan and is looking forward to his future.

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Kelly Cooley

Kelly Cooley's Story

Graduate of Academic Upgrading

Laid off from full time employment as a result of the recession , Kelly Cooley found herself in her early 40’s moving back from Kitchener to Niagara seeking a new career. After training and working as a PSW, she felt she needed more of a challenge.

Laid off from full time employment as a result of the recession, Kelly Cooley found herself in her early 40’s moving back from Kitchener to Niagara seeking a new career. Kelly discovered that Niagara College’s academic upgrading division could provide her with the advanced math and sciences that she needed to further her career goal.

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Marissa Hartley

Marissa Hartley's Story

Owner/Operator, Chz Plz
Graduate of Culinary Skills

Culinary school taught me the basics of what I needed to know working in a professional environment. I had worked in kitchens before college, but Niagara College really helped me dig deeper into knowledge. I also met a lot of people at the college that I still talk to these days in business.

Growing up Marissa Hartley wasn’t a great book learner, but excelled with hands-on work and possessed a passion for cooking. While in high school Hartley was turned onto the idea of going to college and specializing in culinary arts which...

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Christine White

Christine White's Story

Lead Technical Training Instructor, Stellantis Performance

My grandfather had a rule, ‘if you’re going to drive a car then you should know how to fix it.’ When I graduated high school I attended Niagara College for the Automotive Service Technician program at night, while working at the dealership during the day. As a lifelong car enthusiast, I was able to share my passion for the auto industry with customers, and apply the knowledge from night classes to my job in the day.

Over 20 years ago Christine White started down the path of a career in automotive as a co-op student in high school with a local car dealership. While working at the dealership White wanted to build out her skillset deciding...

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Graeme Bachiu

Graeme Bachiu's Story

Documentary Filmmaker, Windecker Road Films

I learned a lot of fundamental knowledge in the technical side of television that is still applicable today. That served me in good stead throughout my news career and gave me a basis to build on as I developed other skills. College helped me see the larger picture of what’s possible in the film & television industry and provided, at the time, access to equipment and expertise that I didn’t have at the time. I was encouraged by profs to try new things and always be learning and I’ve carried that over into my professional life.

When Bachiu  graduated from Niagara College there was no such thing as YouTube and iPhones were still years out from their market debut. While the technology may have evolved, Bachiu  credits the Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film program with teaching...

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Émilie Steckenborn

Émilie Steckenborn's Story

Host, Bottled in China Podcast

NC was undoubtedly the stepping stone I needed to be able to understand the wine industry. It was a fantastic program and offered insights into winemaking, viticulture, marketing, sales, export, and more. The program was the launchpad to my career and helped me understand the wine business from a higher perspective.

From Niagara to Shanghai, Émilie’s education has taken her around the world in the wine industry. After graduating from the Wine Business Management Program at Niagara Émilie would relocate to China and take on the role of Head of Education...

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Hailey Croswell

Hailey Croswell's Story

IPM/Irrigation Team Lead Glasshouse Botanics

Niagara shaped the beginning of my career by developing my understanding of the cannabis industry from growing to government regulations. I was able to develop a well rounded set of skills and knowledge by partnering it with hands-on experience. The diverse set of classes and topics that you study, help develop an overall knowledge of plant health and the specifics of cannabis, to what the legal market is.

After experiencing career fatigue, Hailey decided to change gears and jump into the emerging cannabis industry by enrolling in the Commercial Cannabis Production program at NC. The CCP program would allow Hailey to further her passion for plants and agriculture...

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Tanmay Ayre

Tanmay Ayre's Story

Head Chef, Croft Alley USA & Qatar Consulting Head Chef, Fel Dubai, Moner Mumbai & more
Graduate of Culinary Management

The chefs and teachers at Niagara College helped me realise I could achieve incredible things in the culinary field. The environment at the college is unparalleled – having a winery, brewery and greenhouse on-campus created a vibrant learning atmosphere. My time at Niagara was incredibly valuable and it helped me realise my dreams and career aspirations.

Tanmay originally had his eyes set on the skies with aspirations of becoming a pilot, but after some setbacks he had to reevaluate his career path. The field of hospitality intrigued Tanmay and he had heard outstanding reviews of the The...

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Courtney Zahara

Courtney Zahara's Story

Owner | Rare Collectives
Graduate of Event Management

NC shaped my experience as an entrepreneur and business owner by helping me learn hands-on throughout my entire program of Event Management. Having the support of staff and professors was a major factor towards how my mind as a business owner was formed because they were constantly supporting and guiding us in the right direction.

Graduating into an uncertain job market during COVID-19 presented Courtney with many challenges, but also an opportunity. While in casual conversation with a friend Courtney expressed a desire to create her own business, a swimwear company which would promote body...

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