Hire Education is a series that showcases stories of student success through experiential learning.
Crystal Bryan
Crystal Bryan knew a St. Clair College education would take her places - but she never imagined that would include Switzerland, Barbados, and the Netherlands.
The opportunity for experiential learning at St. Clair was a big attraction for Bryan, who dropped plans for a university master's degree to join the College's two-year Public Relations program.
"Since then the opportunities have been endless," said Bryan, 26, who has a job lined up before her program finishes.
With learning experiences that go well beyond the classroom, St. Clair's Public Relations program prepares students for careers in a wide range of sectors, from government and media to private corporations and non-profit agencies.
The program includes hands-on learning in the College's state-of-the-art MediaPlex, which is among just a few facilities of its kind in the world.
Bryan said she was also able to network and expand her skills through Enactus St. Clair. It's part of a global effort that allows students to engage in social enterprise, develop community projects and make change, then showcase it through competition.
"They gave me the opportunity to go to the World Cup in the Netherlands," said Bryan. "I've been able to get a lot of my work for the College featured through Enactus. So they have also been a great networking tool."
Thanks to St. Clair College's emphasis on work-integrated learning, Bryan has also gained real-life experience through several internships.
In her first year, she worked with the marketing team at Jump Realty. She followed that up with an internship taking employee photographs at Windsor Fire and Rescue Services.
Her latest opportunity as a public relations intern is with the non-profit agency Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today (DYLOTT). It's a Black youth-focused leadership incubator.
With the support of St. Clair College, Bryan is joining DYLOTT at the United Nations' Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD). The session, an initiative of the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, in April 2024.
They will meet with international dignitaries and provide input at the forum.
"We want to be a part of the change and have our voices heard," said Bryan.
In the lead-up to Geneva trip, she is part of a team heading to Barbados to meet with politicians and youth delegates.
Before the end of her second year, Bryan also accepted a full-time position as a public relations coordinator with DYLOTT. Part of her job includes overseeing the agency's video and photo content creation lab.
"I do want to continue helping people tell their stories, their way, and really sending more positive messages out into the world," said Bryan.