NIC alumni guided by adventure
Passion for outdoors creates path to marine biology, guiding and tourism careers
Sabina Hamilton started her marine biology degree immersed in adventure. At 17, she wanted to start her degree outside of a traditional university classroom. She opted to attend North Island College (NIC) for hands-on skills and industry certifications required to work on the water.
“Spending time out on the water with such knowledgeable instructors was amazing,” Hamilton said, before transferring to university.“You learn so much from their experiences. I would definitely do it again.”
Hamilton completed the program while she was still in high school, through a partnership between the Qualicum School District and North Island College.To be admitted to the program, students need to have their English 12, Math 10 or an NIC equivalent.
NIC’s eight-month Adventure Guiding certificate program starts in September. Students graduate in May, just in time for peak guiding season.They qualify for entry-level leadership and guiding positions with sea kayaking companies, coastal resorts, whale and wildlife tour operators, youth wilderness programs and more.
Students also earn credit toward NIC’s Tourism and Hospitality Management diploma with university transfer and business degree bridging options.
The program is based in the Comox Valley, a recreation-fueled community three hours north of Victoria, which acts a hub for multi-day outings to the North Island, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island’s West Coast.
Robert Scriba entered the program as a mature student with a passion for the outdoors, writing and photography.
After graduating from North Island College, Scriba worked as a wilderness guide at Knight Inlet Lodge for five years before working at Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill, Manitoba, watching and learning about beluga whales, polar bears and their habitat.
He now operates Wild Viewfinder Tours (www.wildviewfinders.ca), a private tour company based in Sherwood Park,Alberta, which leads tours through the Rocky Mountains, Alberta, British Columbia,Yukon, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as Yellowstone Park and South East Alaska. He has also written at least two books for children and adults.
“These opportunities came about because of North Island College and their Adventure Guiding program led by instructor David Pinel,”said Scriba.“David’s knowledge and guidance opened my eyes to a bigger and better world. His staff all worked very hard to show me how to present the beauty of the natural world to guests from around the world.”