NUNAVUT - Even before Alicia Manning crossed the stage to accept her certificate, the office administration student said she has a job waiting for her.

Graduates stand together before the graduation ceremony begins for Nunavut Arctic College students in Iqaluit on April 22. From left, Caroline Novalinga, Rachelle Eetuk, Annie Joamie and Annie Pootoogook. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

"I just got hired with the Government of Nunavut," said Manning, adding she was elated to be graduating.

Manning and approximately 50 other students received their certificates and diplomas at Nunavut Arctic College's convocation ceremony on April 21.

Manning said her job position is casual right now, but she hopes it will be extended.

Classmate Melissa Arnatsiaq of Iglulik said it is "awesome" to be graduating. She completed an eight- month office administration certificate and will be returning to her community to find work. She said when she graduated high school, she was unsure of what she wanted to do as a career. After spending some time in the workforce, she said she decided to return to school.

"I wanted to advance my career," said Arnatsiaq.

College president Daniel Vandermuelen said the ceremony provides an opportunity to recognize the students and their achievements.

"This is really where all the payoff is," he said.

Students who graduated from Nunavut's Arctic College in Cambridge Bay had their convocation on April 15.

Certificates and diplomas were handed out to 26 students in several programs including human services, culinary arts, intro to mining and college foundations. Those in the adult education were also recognized.

"I've been at this campus for six years and this is the largest graduating class since I've been on campus," said Fiona Buchan-Corey, dean for the Kitikmeot campus.

The ceremony was a chance for family and friends to gather and the celebrate the accomplishments of their graduates. Buchan-Corey said in one instance the convocation was a real family affair. A mother and daughter were both onstage graduating from the adult basic education program and the human services program, respectively.

Graduates were led in by drum dancers and singers, some of who were staff from the college. Students in the culinary arts program prepared a dinner for some 200 people.

At the convocation ceremonies in Iglulik, 16 students were recognized for their achievements. Eight students walked across the stage to receive certificates in management studies while the other eight students earned records of achievement in the pre-trades program.

"It was wonderful," said Maureen Doherty, acting adult educator at the college campus in Iglulik.

Doherty said former board of governor member for the college Zillah Piallaq came on a snow machine from Hall Beach to help present the certificates to the graduating students.

Minister of Education Louis Tapardjuk was in attendance at the ceremony to see his daughter Irene receive her certificate in management studies. The minister spoke to the graduates about the importance of the trades and positions in management. At the end of the ceremony, each student and staff member were given a rose. Elder Atuat Akittirq, who lit the qulliq, received two roses in honour of her winning a Genie Award for best costume design in an Inuit film. Akittirq taught native studies to the management studies students.

"It was lovely to see all the partners, parents and children who made the sacrifices to support their loved ones at the ceremony," said Doherty.

The convocation for students completing degree programs will be on June 3 in Iqaluit.

-with files from Kassina Ryder