Prince George, B.C. - This fall’s Discovery Day Open House at UNBC’s Prince George campus helped 17-year-old Logan Achtemichuk transform an early interest in business into a confident plan for the start of his post-secondary journey.

The Grade 12 student at Prince George Secondary School is about to take his first UNBC course in January, a first-year Commerce course offered through the University’s dual credit program with School District 57 Prince George. The program allows eligible students in Grades 11 and 12 to take university courses with funding to cover tuition fees while still in high school, earning credits towards both high school graduation and their post-secondary credentials. 

With some encouragement from his mom, Logan decided to attend Discovery Day to see what awaited him before starting his class. What he found was a welcoming community eager to inspire future learners.

Logan sat in on an Economics presentation, where faculty members spoke about some of the real-world applications and possibilities within the discipline. He chatted one-on-one with professors from the School of Business and met students involved in UNBC’s JDC West team, an enthusiastic student-led group that commits hundreds of hours each year preparing for Western Canada’s largest undergraduate business competition. 

“Discovery Day really locked things in for me,” Logan says. “Talking with the professors and meeting the JDC West students made me excited about what studying business at UNBC could look like.”

His plan is to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance with a minor in Economics.

For Logan, choosing UNBC feels natural. It’s close to home, and that matters.

“It’s in my community. There’s comfort and familiarity as so many of my friends and acquaintances already go here,” he explains. “I know people who can help guide me through campus life. That’s a huge factor.”

He’s also drawn to UNBC’s smaller class sizes and the opportunities available to students living in the region like dual credit. “Being on campus for my course next semester will give me a head start. Transitioning from high school to university can be stressful, but this will take some of that stress away. It’s one less course I’ll have to take in my first year, which means a lighter load.”

Logan encourages other high school students to take the leap, even if they’re hesitant. “Even if your mom has to really push you to go to Discovery Day, just show up—I’m a prime example! 

“You need to come to the campus and see what it’s all about. It really takes the ‘unknown’ out of the experience,” he adds. Future students are always welcome to book a campus tour.

Logan’s visit also came with an unexpected bonus: tools that will support him as he begins his academic journey at UNBC. He won the Discovery Day draw prize of a backpack filled with items that included an iPad and keyboard, as well as one of the event’s three-credit tuition waivers.

Outside of the classroom, Logan is a competitive powerlifter and currently ranks number one in Canada for his age and weight category. The same dedication that drives his athletic success is guiding his educational ambitions that he’s excited to pursue right here in northern B.C.