Stephanie’s Story, A Legacy that Will Endure
Sometimes all you need is a little push to make big things happen. That’s how Algonquin College alumni, Stephanie, obtained her Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management with AC Online.
Tragedy struck when Stephanie was a teenager; her father fell ill and she became his caregiver and Power of Attorney at just 17 years old. With only two courses left before obtaining her University Degree, her father’s condition worsened and left her with no choice but to drop out.
Years went by but Stephanie’s desire for further schooling never faded; her father pushed her to complete her education, “He encouraged me to pursue my studies, despite the sacrifice it would mean for our relationship.” Luckily, Stephanie came across AC Online when looking for flexible options that would allow her to study while continuing her caregiver role at home.
AC Online empowers students to study when it’s most convenient for them. Though there are set timelines and due dates for all programs and courses, AC Online’s flexibility stems from being able to study full-time or part-time with access to materials 24/7 from anywhere in the world. No scheduled lectures or commutes to campus here. Exactly what Stephanie needed, “We knew it would be challenging but AC Online offered the option to complete coursework from home while I took care of him. I can’t describe how much this eased the burden on me. The flexibility it provided made it so that we didn’t have to sacrifice my education or his health. It allowed me to do something for myself without feeling guilty.” No compromises necessary.
With her father’s blessing, Stephanie enrolled in the Human Resources Management program as a full-time student. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to attract, select and retain organizational talent. From finance and accounting to organizational behaviour, project management and employment law, HR students are ready to take on whatever the day brings. A natural choice for people like Stephanie.
Choosing this program was easy, “Coming from a background in Psychology, I have always been passionate about understanding and helping those around me. My boss recommended AC’s HR program because he thought it would be an excellent fit for my natural tendencies and skillset. I agreed and decided to go for it.”
Once school started, Stephanie knew she made the right choice, “I was looking to continue working full-time while studying so online was the only option. I was very impressed with the depth of the coursework as well as with the accessibility for adult learners who would not be able to participate otherwise.” The freedom to learn on her own time made all the difference, “It was so nice to find a reasonably affordable option that I could complete without feeling like I was sacrificing the quality of my education or other priorities!”
Stephanie believes that AC Online is the best of both worlds, “With AC Online, you don’t have to choose between life or school. You can do both and I’m living proof! I studied online full-time while working 40 hours a week, caring for my dad, and maintaining a social life.” Stephanie is a prime example that you can do anything if you put your mind to it, “With strong discipline and dedication, AC Online made everything possible for me. I didn’t waste time driving to and from campus, instead, I simply opened my laptop and had everything at my disposal.”
Since graduating, Stephanie was offered an incredible opportunity by one of the largest environmental companies in Canada to build an HR department from the ground up! Now, she’s doing what she loves and overseeing all company personnel in Ontario and Alberta. “It’s a huge challenge and I really didn’t expect to use all of the skills I learned at Algonquin College so quickly but, using the tools and guidance that the program provided allowed me to move into this role fully prepared. Now, I’ve passed all my provincial exams, I’m fully certified with HRPA and I’m really excited to grow with this branch.”
Though the road wasn’t easy, Stephanie completely changed her life with a little help from her family and friends. For students thinking about enrolling, Stephanie offers this advice, “Be dedicated, ask for help when you need it, stay organized, participate, and have fun! AC Online provides all the tools and resources you need, but those only work if you apply yourself. Focus on learning new things and becoming a better version of yourself.”
If you’re looking for a sign to make things happen, this is it! Start your journey with AC Online.