 Shawnna Gaudet by Gloria Welton, The Employment Journey on PEI, November 2016 issue
In honour of the late Phyllis Pitre, former Chair of the Career Development Association of PEI Inc., a bursary has been established. At the age of 48, on November 21, 2011, Phyllis passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She lived in Charlottetown and was formerly of Tignish Shore. The 2016 bursary was divided into three prizes of $500 each and distributed in September 2016. The award is for adult learners on PEI who are 30 years old or older who are working towards completing a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. Applicants must demonstrate Phyllis’ values of leadership, public speaking, volunteering, and life-long learning. The following is Shawnna Gaudet's story. Check out fellow winners Zahra Jahanmiri and Heather Watterson in separate posts. From Adult Education to LPN: her dreams are coming true Shawnna Gaudet from O’Leary started the adult education program at Holland College in 2013. She planned to earn the high school credits she needed to enter the Licensed Practical Nursing program at Holland College in Summerside. She is right on track with only a few months left before completing the two-year program. “I love the idea of a LPN job because there is lots of action, it requires compassion, it is challenging, and involves a lot of pressure. “I earned four high school credits in one year, and I encouraged my brother to complete his GED. We walked across the stage together to celebrate our achievements. Then I applied to the LPN program. The criteria to get into the program is very extensive, but I wanted to try anyways. I found out early on that I was accepted.” Now in her second year, Shawnna says her schedule is heavier than she would like. “If I did it again, I would definitely wait to start working until after finishing the program because it is hard to work, got to school, and be a mom.” She applied to the RCW government casual list to ensure that she could apply for work in her field as soon as she got her designation as an LPN. She did a RCW orientation that was six days over a span of three weeks and in college at the very same time. “My nine year old little girl needs me too, and it is challenging to give her my full attention with my hectic schedule.” This past summer, she worked five days a week in the Summer Student Nursing program through Health PEI at Margaret Stewart Ellis Home long-term care facility. Then she faced a new challenge. “I just finished the third clinical rotation at QEH Rehab unit. For three days a week over five weeks I woke up at 4:00 in the morning to drive from O’Leary to Charlottetown. I am working a very hard schedule right now, but I can see the end in sight, with graduation and hopefully a job right around the corner.” Career Development Services staff Dean Getson let her know about the bursary and he wrote a letter of reference for her. “I am doing the hard work for my daughter, my partner, and myself. I never win anything, so I was thrilled to be awarded the bursary. I couldn’t believe the wonderful things Dean said about me.” She plans to use the bursary money to pay for the LPN national exam, which costs exactly $500. “Sometimes I wonder why I am putting myself in so much debt to get through school. But then I remember that it is an investment that will be worth it. I felt like giving up many times, but I would never do that – I just need to vent my frustrations. I look back at what I have been able to do, and that keeps me going. “I want to make a difference. I want to do something for my family and my community, and I want to help people. I am so easy-going, and can adapt to many situations. I love the idea of working in palliative care or senior long-term care. “Nurses are there when a baby is born and are there for people when they leave this world. It is a very special job. I love to hear peoples’ stories, encourage others, and be there for them.” Shawnna has as a big heart as Phyllis did. Phyllis wanted to give back and had a huge concern for people. Education was also very important to her and she used many opportunities to build her skills.  Heather Watterson by Gloria Welton, The Employment Journey on PEI, November 2016 issue
In honour of the late Phyllis Pitre, former Chair of the Career Development Association of PEI Inc., a bursary has been established. At the age of 48, on November 21, 2011, Phyllis passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She lived in Charlottetown and was formerly of Tignish Shore. The 2016 bursary was divided into three prizes of $500 each and distributed in September 2016. The award is for adult learners on PEI who are 30 years old or older who are working towards completing a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. Applicants must demonstrate Phyllis’ values of leadership, public speaking, volunteering, and life-long learning. The following is Heather Watterson's story. Check out fellow winners Zahra Jahanmiri and Shawnna Gaudet in separate posts. Having finances to enter the second year of college was a game changer Heather Watterson is in the second year of the Computer Information Systems program at Holland College in Summerside. “Without the bursary and funding from SkillsPEI, I would not have been able to return to college this fall. The week before classes started, I got the calls that confirmed I would have enough money to return to school, and it was a game changer. “If I hadn’t come back, that lost time would have been hard to recover, because of the ever- changing world of technology. I love the program I am taking and I wish I would have entered it years ago.” For the last 15 years, Heather has worked in retail. “When I worked in retail, the computer systems become a frustration for me. I tried to do various functions, but the systems did not have the capability. I always thought I could fix those problems, and that sparked my interest in the field.” Heather is glad to return to the program and feels that the sky is limit. “The program is part of my plan to get into a new career. Summerside is my hometown and I would like to stay. I am originally from Nova Scotia and my son was born in Ontario. My mother is from PEI, and my parents moved here when my father retired from the navy. I moved here when my son was born because that is where the support is. “I have a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science, as well as a diploma in broadcast journalism from Ontario, but I felt my skills were outdated and I needed to return to post-secondary. I was working as manager of a retail store in Summerside, and when it closed I thought this is my chance to go back to school. “I went to Career Development Services for career direction. An IT occupation kept coming up. It is a perfect match for me. I love the challenges. This is a busy time, but when I get past the struggles and obstacles and the work, I can’t believe that I am accomplishing and learning so much. It is very rewarding.” Heather was always able to find work over the years but couldn’t seem to get ahead. “Even though I had full-time work, I was not earning enough to make a good living and have a good life. “My son will be 22 in November. He looks at what I have done and is proud of his mom. I didn’t give up, and I had the determination, even though I didn’t know exactly where I was going. I realized that no one was going to do it for me, so I have to do this myself.” Phyllis and Heather have so much in common - creative, family oriented, and an inspiration to her family.  Zahra Jahanmiri by Gloria Welton, The Employment Journey on PEI, November 2016 issue
In honour of the late Phyllis Pitre, former Chair of the Career Development Association of PEI Inc., a bursary has been established. At the age of 48, on November 21, 2011, Phyllis passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She lived in Charlottetown and was formerly of Tignish Shore. The 2016 bursary was divided into three prizes of $500 each and distributed in September 2016. The award is for adult learners on PEI who are 30 years old or older who are working towards completing a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. Applicants must demonstrate Phyllis Pitre’s values of leadership, public speaking, volunteering, and life-long learning. The following is Zahra Jahanmiri's story. Check out fellow winners Heather Watterson and Shawnna Gaudet in separate posts. Working to build a career on PEI includes post-secondary education Zahra Jahanmiri arrived on PEI from Iran in 2009 with her husband and two children, who are now 14 and 9. “We would like to stay here and build our careers,” says Zahra. “Our children are happy here.” In Iran, her job was with the municipality of Tehran, the capital city. For 13 years, she worked in establishing and maintaining green space, which is related to her background in botany. Before looking for work on PEI, Zahra improved her English skills by attending Study Aboard Canada PEI Language Institute. “I made a lot of friends there, and gained great information for my new life,” says Zahra. “After one and a half years, I started to look for work. I realized my background only fitted into limited opportunities, and I needed to refresh and expand my knowledge. I considered going to UPEI but realized I needed a more hands-on education to improve my chances of getting work. Attending college was my choice to find a good job to help support myself and my family.” She completed the Environmental Applied Science Technology program at Holland College. “I enjoyed my two years at school, but when looking for work I realized that companies were hiring people with bioscience training and education. It was not easy to think about going back to college again, but I could only find part-time work. I decided to enroll in the Bioscience Technology program, and I will graduate in 2017. I am looking for a job that will be using many of my skills and education. “My husband really helps me to find my way and encourages me. He is an engineer now working in Ontario after short-term employment on PEI.” For Zahra to be able to continue to pay for her studies, he commutes from PEI to his job in Ontario. “He would love to work here. We are tired of bigger cities. When we came to PEI we were amazed at its beauty. We want a simple, safe, and healthy life here. We believe when you make a decision you have a commitment to it, and that helps with the transition right now. “His role as a dad and a husband is very important for our family. We know it would be better if he came back to PEI to work, and he continues to look for a job here.” She tried working part-time while in the college program, but couldn’t continue because the program is so intense. “PEI Newcomers to Canada Association staff told me about the bursary. The money will help me and my family, and I appreciate it so much. The meaning is very precious to me and we are very thankful. “We know there are good jobs on PEI, but it is a journey to connect to the right employers. We are trying so hard to do all that we can.” Phyllis loved to help people as they worked through their career plans, and she offered hope to many people in her years as a career counsellor. |
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