For many learners, coming to college isn’t about starting a career – it’s about starting again. Life events like injury, immigration, job loss, and changing goals can interrupt plans and necessitate a change in direction. In those uncertain times, education can become a stabilizing force.
For Barbie Torres, education wasn’t about advancement, it was about reclaiming what life interrupted. After 15 years of being a hairstylist she suffered a brain injury that impacted her memory – and her career. Enrolling in the College’s Hairstylist program provided her with the support she needed while she re-learned her trade. She’s now the owner/operator of Buzzy Bear Cubs Cuts, a salon known for its excellent service, child-friendly experience, and community focus.
For newcomers, education often becomes the link between global experience and local opportunity. When Carol Smith arrived in Canada from Jamaica, she was inspired to attend the College so she could continue her journey in healthcare. By refreshing her skills through the College’s Health Care Assistant program, she gained the confidence and preparation needed to step right back into the workforce. She is now happily employed at Swan Valley Lodge in her new hometown.
For others, education marks a deliberate pivot. A chance to realign with values, interests, and long-term satisfaction. Individuals like Kellie Crombie and Jesse Isaac remind us that career change isn’t starting over; it is building forward with intention.
After 10 years of working in an office environment, and while at home with her new baby, Kellie realized she wanted to pursue a more satisfying career.
“I like being physically active and learning new things,” she said. “Mechanics is a very dynamic environment, so I enrolled in the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician program and found my calling.”
Jesse had a similar experience when he shifted from a decade of working in the logging industry to also enrol in Heavy Duty Equipment Technician at the College. Though he was the oldest in his class, he found that his life experience was a benefit to him throughout the program.
Sometimes the path forward starts by going back – strategically. For Jessica Sheard, her dream of becoming a pharmacist began by attending adult upgrading courses at the College in order to
qualify for pharmacy programs. Her strategy paid off. She now holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at works full time at Shoppers Drug Mart.
All of these stories, though they are different, share a common truth: learning adapts when life changes. Education doesn’t just prepare people for jobs; it supports people through change. No matter where you are coming from, education can provide a pathway forward.