Virtual Pathways Fair returns

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The annual winter Pathways Fair will take place virtually on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. The fair helps students who are considering completing a degree or another credential at colleges and universities throughout Ontario, Canada, and the world.

Registration for the event is free, and students who attend will have the chance to win door prizes that include gift cards and swag. The virtual event gives students the chance to engage directly with representatives from partner schools with a series of panels.

“Pathways Fair is an opportunity for students considering to further their education to connect directly with representatives from Fanshawe’s pathway schools,” said Pathways Coordinator, Gabriela Kongkham-Fernandez. “The fair allows students to learn about their transfer options and get their questions answered on how to transfer their Fanshawe credits and get recognition for their Fanshawe education, whether it is through established pathways or individual transfer of credits.”

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According to Kongkham-Fernandez, navigating the world of continuing education can be complicated, making the Pathways Fair an excellent resource for students who are just beginning the application process.

“Post-secondary education is not a straight path and post-secondary credentials are not an end goal; every time it’s more common for students to move between programs, combine college and university experience, and continue to build on their learning to achieve their career goals.”

She added that the panels specifically can be a helpful resource for students looking to make connections with representative from partner schools.

“Sometimes putting a face on a name, receiving information directly from a representatives from the partner school, or having the opportunity to ask questions in person can make a difference,” she said.

Pathways Consultant for the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business, Kaitlin Marriott added that it’s never too early to start planning for the future.

“Even if a student is in the early stages of their program at Fanshawe, I would definitely encourage them to come out to the fair and see what opportunities there might be for them to pursue once they graduate,” said Marriott.

According to Kongkham-Fernandez, the fair has also been pivotal in maintaining and establishing relationships with partner institutions over the years.

“One of the reasons Pathways Fair has been successful is our partnerships with other colleges and universities,” said Kongkham-Fernandez. “Fanshawe has developed partnerships with other schools to streamline pathways for students. Our partnerships allow students to know in advance how their Fanshawe credits would transfer over. Pathways Fair is an opportunity for students to connect directly with representatives from partner schools to learn about these opportunities.”

The fair also offers students the chance to learn about Pathways Scholarships. The minimum $1,000 scholarships are available for full-time students with at least a 3.2 GPA who have registered for another Fanshawe program through one of the articulated pathways listed on the Fanshawe Pathways Database.

Students can keep up with all that the Pathways Fair has to offer via the Pathways Fair Hub, which includes information regarding the times and dates of panels, access to partner institutions’ content and answers to frequently asked questions.

“Now with having a virtual platform, the Pathways Fair Hub, the event is more accessible to students from different campuses and for all students to connect with resources on demand,” said Kongkham-Fernandez.

Visit the Pathways Fair Hub now for more information or to register for the fair.