A group of business-minded high school students had the chance to deepen their knowledge through an immersive learning opportunity.
A group of students from Teulon College Institute and Collège Stonewall Collegiate had the chance to spark their career interests during a two-day experiential learning opportunity at Red River College Polytechnic
On March 24 and 25, about 25 students from Teulon College Institute and Collège Stonewall Collegiate had the chance to attend a two-day experiential learning opportunity at Red River College Polytechnic.
Steve Proskurnik, Interlake School Division’s career development and HSAP support teacher, said it’s the first event of its kind for the school division — and he hopes they’ll be able to offer it again.
Students learned about the Applied Commerce and Management Education (ACME) program offered at RRC Polytech through a “build your own food truck” activity. Students gleaned information from instructors from management, sales, financial services, accounting, logistics and supply chain management, human resources, tourism and hospitality. These experts also engaged with the students through activities that related to their food truck proposal.
For Proskurnik, the goal of the activity is to better inform students about the ACME programs at RRC Polytech and to provide a meaningful pathway to career exploration. The students from both schools were engaged and asked lots of questions, he added.
“Each group of students that presented their food truck example put a lot of effort and thought into their proposals. Everyone seemed to enjoy being on campus and spoke highly of the two-day experience,” he said.
“A few of our students had previously expressed interest in attending RRC Polytech — and after attending this experience, it seemed to solidify their decision.”
The experience offered plenty of benefits to all who participated.
“It gives our students who may have never been at RRC Polytech an opportunity to step on campus and become familiarized with the surroundings,” Proskurnik said.
“There is lots of anxiety in taking that next step in post-secondary studies, and if we can provide an opportunity for them to experience it even for just two days, it will significantly reduce any trepidation they may have.”
Reflecting on the experience, Proskurnik was pleased with the students’ positive approach.
“When I plan activities or look for opportunities like this, I always worry if the students will find the experience valuable and will they be a good audience. Having planned many activities like this in other school divisions, I can honestly say how impressed I was with our students,” he said.
“They were both respectful and engaged throughout both days and that makes it easy for me to plan future events like this.”
RRC Polytech instructors not only talked about their programs but also challenged students with hands-on activities. That way, they were able to work through problems similar to those that they might experience as future students.
“This real-life experience is far superior to the traditional career fair where students may only get a glimpse of what a program really is all about,” Proskurnik said.
“For both of our high school teachers that participated, they are able to take back some of the knowledge they learned and incorporate into their respective teaching. Creating this connection not only benefits us at the high school level, but it also provides valuable feedback to RRC Polytech going forward.”
Rhonda Kachurowski, an RRC Polytech instructor in Applied Commerce and Management Education, shared some insights from the post-secondary perspective.
“Across all RRC Polytech Applied Commerce and Management Education programs, students gain real‑world skills and knowledge that are transferable well beyond the classroom and into every aspect of their lives. These programs aren’t just about business—they’re about building confidence, developing new skills and setting students up for long‑term success,” she said.
“It was fantastic to showcase what sets RRC Polytech apart as Manitoba’s polytechnic.”
She said that RRC Polytech students benefit from valuable hands‑on learning experiences with industry partners, whether that’s through classroom‑based projects or work‑integrated learning opportunities.
“When young learners — particularly high school students — visit one of our campuses, they get a firsthand glimpse of what it’s like to be a student at RRC Polytech,” she said.
“These experiences help put new opportunities and career pathways on their radar — options they may not have known existed.”
