After years of working various odd jobs in retail and the restaurant business, Desiree Bartels wanted to make a change.
There was just one problem: She never finished Grade 12 and many of the career programs she was looking at required a high school diploma.
“I knew I had to go back to school,” she said. “I just never thought I could graduate. I didn’t think I had it in me.”
That is when she discovered the School District 42 Continuing Education program.
After sitting down with an instructor, she said she was able to get the confidence she needed to take the next step in her academic career.
“From the first meeting, I knew it was going to be great,” she said. “Nobody ever made it that easy for me.”
The 35-year-old was initially concerned that it would take years of course work for her to get her diploma. However, Bartels was pleased to learn that much of the work experience she garnered over the years could count for school credit. She was also amazed at how much her career experience helped her with her courses.
Bartels liked school so much, she kept going after receiving her high school diploma last December. She is currently enrolled in a program to become a medical office assistant and said she will be looking to enhance her education with more courses.
“I definitely want to go further,” she said. “There is going to be more schooling after this. [The Continuing Education program] really helped me. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
• Registration for the Continuing Education program launches on December 6. Register online (https://ce.sd42.ca/courseselection/) or by appointment (604-466-6555 ext. 1).