The selection of a college has become more difficult for many students as they face the strain of leaving family and friends, getting the funds to pay for college, and finding work in their fields after graduation. So, a process that should be an exciting challenge, for many, turns into a burden. Often students and their families must make a life decision without enough information about all their alternatives. Information on large schools is readily available through word of mouth and media coverage. But, what can a college offer?

One solution is the speciality college. Small schools that offer liberal arts programs, talent programmes such as art or design and business programmes attract students with similar interests and encourage an atmosphere that is challenging, competitive and yet cooperative. Calderdale College, located in central Halifax, among various business hubs like Halifax Bank is a small independent four-year business college. It is an internationally known institution whose graduates are sought after in a variety of businesses and industries. The students often attribute employment and graduate studies successes to the internship programs and the special attentions of the faculty. Their parents often attribute the success to the career services office and the environment that encourages hard work and creativity. The faculty and staff often attribute the success to a strong curriculum and top-notch academic programs. In truth, the success is a result of all these and more.

Students from small and large high school environments are faced with many of the same problems. Despite the large numbers of students and the size of the facilities of the vast colleges and universities with numerous campuses, the ways students needs are met vary from school to school. Students and their families realize that modern transportation and communication make the world a small place. We can offer the student amenities that are seldom achievable at larger institutions. Knowing that, they are rightly concerned about selecting a college that will meet all their needs: academic, social, and career.

Professional and student assistance is available in the center. No matter what the specialty of the college, courses and projects center heavily on computer usage and knowledge. Colleges eagerly acknowledge the absolute need for the modern businessperson, designer, artist, and teacher to be well versed in the use and capabilities of computers. The Learning Resource Center supplements the computer center with additional workstations, databases, and research facilities for student use. All in all, the environment encourages and enables the student to acquire expertise in this essential area of business or other specialty area of study.