Georgian: A fun father-daughter experience

Families spend time together in many different ways. Jeff Scott and his daughter Amy have spent the past two years as students at Georgian College’s Barrie Campus.

Jeff will graduate from the Mechanical Technician – Precision Skills program this week at convocation ceremonies held at the Barrie Molson Centre on June 18 and 19. Amy is currently in the process of completing the Fitness and Health Promotion program.

What made you both decide to come to Georgian?

Jeff: When I made the decision to go back to school, I did my research on colleges that provided the education I sought. That research, coupled with my previous college experience, led me to Georgian. Georgian simply had the best reputation. Once I visited the campus, I was sold.

Amy: I liked the campus as well. It reminded me of being at our cottage.

Have you ever hung out together at school?

Jeff: Nope (he laughs). I was told in no uncertain terms that would not be happening. She did say hi to me if we passed each other in the hallway though.

Amy: No. Our schedules were different, and we were in different buildings. So, we almost never saw each other at school.

What was the best part about going to school together?

Jeff: Sharing a similar experience with my daughter. Sometimes I try to offer her advice, having been to college a few times. But for the most part, I watch her make her own decisions and learn for herself. It’s nice to share this time in her life.

Amy: We were able to take one vehicle to school instead of two on the rare occasion we had classes that started or ended around the same time.

What were some of your favourite experiences?

Jeff: For me, it was during the 2017 Spring Open House. I’d come to see the facilities and check out the Mechanical Technician – Precision Skills program and brought my wife and daughter with me. I went to the shop while they went their own way. When we met up in the gymnasium, I could clearly see the excitement in Amy’s face. She was lit up like a lightbulb! She was so enthusiastic about the program she had just found and wondered if she would be accepted if she applied. I told her that she could apply right there, and she did. She was accepted a week or so later.

Amy: Learning and doing the workout part of my program and taking advantage of the Massage Therapy Clinic was one of my favourite parts. I’ve also enjoyed meeting new people.

What’s one of the most important things you learned in your program?

Jeff: The level of accuracy that I can achieve. I’ve not needed that before, and now I know really well how to machine to within one-tenth of one-thousandth of an inch (0.0001 inch).

Amy: How to properly work out, knowing how to properly do the exercises, and make a good work out. I’ve also learned how to assess clients and work with them to accomplish their goals.

What do you hope to do once you graduate?

Jeff: I’ve been accepted into both the Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology programs starting this fall. It’s ambitious to be sure, and I’m working out the details of this dual-credit adventure. Here’s hoping I’m not biting off more than I can chew! Regardless, it would seem that the Scotts are not done with Georgian quite yet.

Ideally, I would love to work at Georgian some day. I’ve taught at the college level before and have decades of experience. I’m very comfortable here, and with the people, so I know I would enjoy it. I proved that to myself when I did my co-op in the college’s machine shop.

Amy: I’m thinking of going into Massage Therapy at Georgian.

What’s your favourite thing about each other?

Jeff: She is tenacious. When she truly wants something, she will get it. So, you might as well get with the program or get out of her way.

Amy: His drive to learn new things and follow his passion.

Jeff, what’s the best thing about being a father?

Watching my children grow from adorable little kids into interesting, respectable, and good people.  People who teach me things and share their lives with me. In short, the best thing about being a father is when your children have lived long enough to become your friends, as well as your family.

And what do you wish for your children?

That they value themselves, are happy with who they are, and that they willingly share themselves with others. That they not fear failure, but rather see it for the learning opportunity that it truly is. I wish for them to value love, friendship, family and shared life experiences above all else.

Amy, what’s the one piece of advice you received from your father that’s always stuck with you?

Find something you love doing and do that as a career.

And what’s one of your favourite father/daughter memories growing up?

Learning to fish and drive the Waverunner up at our cottage.

Last question Amy: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your father?

That if you do what you love, you’ll experience fulfillment from loving what you do every day. Oh, and a love for dogs!