Back to school

After a string of head injuries, this former hockey player hung up his skates and a career in the Edmonton Oilers’ back offices for medical school to study long-term patient care and head injury management.

“I was motivated to pursue a career where I could be a lifelong learner. As an MD/PhD student, I can combine my passions for helping clinical populations while developing innovative ways to improve medical practices. University provides a platform where I am challenged to grow as an academic, a clinician and a person, while learning about the myriad of complexities that encompass the human body.”

As a single mother of three and the granddaughter of a residential school survivor, Lacey is building a brighter future for her kids and her community. Her degree in Urban and Inner-City studies will help her tackle poverty and Indigenous youth employment issues.

“As single Indigenous mother raising three daughters, returning back to school was vital. I wanted to be a role model that it’s never too late to chase your dreams and was tired of living in poverty and barely making ends meet. University has given me a sense of belonging and a path to help create positive social change in the inner-city of Winnipeg. It took a lot of courage to walk through the doors of the University of Winnipeg and believe in myself. However, I had the support of my family and without that I never would have been able to return back to school.”

 

Sixty-two-year-old Betsy is a life-long learner who will return to school this fall to explore a new career after 40 years away from the classroom and 30 years running a successful business.

“I became a consultant so that I could use what I learned in my years of experience as a businesswoman to help organizations do what I am passionate about: creating people centred workplaces. In order to do this work with integrity and credibility, I went back to school to equip myself with a solid framework of theory and skills.”

At 22, Montreal’s youngest-ever elected city councillor is looking to finish what he started – a degree in political science – and develop the knowledge and skills he needs to succeed as an elected official.

“Completing my studies in political science was important for me because I wanted to finish what I started. And it reminds me that we learn every day! I can apply what I learn in the classroom to my role as a city councillor. I can simplify politics for my constituents.”

With rapidly changing technologies and a shifting Alberta economy, Andrea recognized the need for skilled experts in the cybersecurity field and left her job in real estate to pursue a new career path. 

“I wanted a career with a future to evolve into with a purpose. In technology I found a challenging, meaningful, creative, profitable and high demand career to help innovate a better and brighter future for the world.”

This proud Métis student left a successful career in finance to pursue a career as a physicians’ assistant: a way to give back and help strengthen his community.  

“Returning to university was so important to me because the original career I had chosen never seemed to align with my aspirations. I didn’t want to let myself become comfortable in a field that I knew wasn’t right for me, and the path to the profession I dreamed of was through obtaining a university degree. My university education has given me confidence in myself and has opened so many doors to amazing opportunities.” 

After aging out of the foster care system and facing significant life challenges – including a learning disability, addiction and a history of abuse – Eric is determined to continue his learning journey at university and inspire others to do the same. 

“I never thought I would graduate high school. Education was just never part of my life. All my instructors at VIU voiced how they could see me moving forward and it made me feel like Iactually was. Initially I was really unsure of going back to school, but they gave me the confidence that I can do this.” 

For Tracie, going to university is one way of breaking barriers and advocating for Indigenous peoples in Canada. As a student activist, she has already raised thousands of dollars to tackle the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

“I believe that your education is the foundation that sets the framework for everything that comes next. Indigenous people were never meant to survive genocide, we were never meant to enter postsecondary institutions. I believe it is so important for us to break those barriers and occupy the spaces that are rightfully ours. Our education matters, it breaks barriers and makes room for change.”

Originally from Congo, Aline fled the war in her country and found refuge in Uganda for seven years before immigrating to Halifax. Since her arrival in Canada, she has earned an adult general education degree and is now studying business administration at the Université Sainte-Anne to make a meaningful contribution to her community.

“May yesterday’s failures, difficulties or limitations never stop you from achieving your dreams of tomorrow.”

Going back to school was a big decision for Natalia. But after learning about a program that offered real-world experience working at a major Canadian e-commerce company, she couldn’t wait to get started.

“Technology changes quickly and continuous learning is vital for professional growth. Going back to university was essential to expand my skillset and Shopify’s Dev Degree program provides real-life experience working with the top talent in the industry, which gives me a competitive edge.”

Photo – Carleton University