When Laurie Hall, events Professor in the Public Relations – Corporate Communications (CCPR) program, shared her students’ virtual event proposals with her colleagues, she was floored by the response. Everyone was thrilled. Program coordinator Donna Lindell described the diverse range of topics as “amazing”. It was then she realized just how proud she was of the CCPR’s student efforts and tenacity in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.
As countless industries are forced to pivot to online work, events and meetings, most schools have followed suit. According to RBC, a staggering 1.2 million University students and 800,000 College students have had to shift to online learning this year due to social distancing guidelines.
This has created a fairly new and uncertain climate for students. Many are facing new challenges caused by the impact of COVID-19. It was no different for CCPR students, who held all of their events virtually for their project and events class this year in addition to being in all online classes for the first time.
This is an unpredictable and uncertain time for everyone. Whether it be faculty or students, everyone is facing the learning curve of transitioning to online platforms and virtual work. Laurie quickly realized the importance of providing support to her students when planning their events. Building the skills to pivot on short notice is also becoming increasingly important in the new, uncertain work landscape. Laurie took this task head on to provide the best possible experience for her students, setting them up for successful careers and events.
In March, Centennial College faculty never would have guessed this would have gone on for so long. They have put countless hours into reworking their course materials to facilitate online learning. It has been a major transition for everyone involved.
“I was signing up for every webinar on virtual events I could find,” said Laurie. When asked how she felt going into the events class this year, she was rightfully concerned, knowing this would be a new and unfamiliar situation for everyone. She had to adjust her course material, cutting out an in-person venue focus and rolling back on finding sponsors.
The students also worked tirelessly to execute their events this year. In unpredictable and unprecedented times, they preserved through uncertainty, increased obstacles and technological issues to make these events a success.
When asked what it was like to transition to online learning, CCPR student Katie Daniel described that it has been a “relatively smooth transition to be honest, because we still meet for classes”. In terms of planning her event, which focused on networking, she said, “I was feeling slightly frustrated at times, wishing I could just meet with my teammates in person.”
Planning events in general, aside from the ongoing pandemic and virtual school, is brand new to these students. The CCPR’s students’ ability to pivot on a dime and act efficiently among challenging circumstances with the help of supportive professors provides them with lifelong career skills.
Despite her fears, Laurie was immensely proud of the diversity of topics the events focused on. Now more than ever, connection is necessary. So many people are looking for new ways to interact with others. The student events focused on trying new things, being fun and social, networking, and providing valuable information about how to get outside this winter. Each event was interesting and relevant in their own way.
As with any success, it was a collaborative effort. The combined determination of the students along with continued support and understanding from faculty was a key factor in the planning and execution of the events. These unprecedented times can certainly be challenging, but CCPR staff and students’ remaining open-minded and willing to take on any task proved to provide some amazing outcomes this fall.
Despite being terrified as Laurie described, the CCPR students and faculty have much to be proud of with these events. Both groups displayed tenacity and determination when faced with unimaginable circumstances.
By: Olivia Flynn, Public relations - Corporate Communications student