2024 Bursary winners talk about their career plans
Melinda Burke is in the Heritage Retrofit Carpentry program at Holland College in Charlottetown.
As seen in The Employment Journey
Changing careers from Chef to Carpenter
After a successful career in the culinary field, Melinda Burke has decided to go back to school to make a complete change – she is now taking the one-year Heritage Retrofit Carpentry program at Holland College.
“After completing the Pastry Arts program at Nova Scotia Community College in 2012, I was asked to represent my school, my province and then to everyone’s surprise – my country, in a series of culinary competitions in WorldSkills Americas in Sao Paulo, Brazil,” says Melinda. “Nobody (myself included) expected me to compete at an international level.
“When the competition began, anything and everything that could have gone wrong did. At this point I experienced something that has served me many times throughout high-pressure situations in my career – an instinct to get innovative. It worked, and against the odds, I found myself on a podium accepting a Gold Medal. I’ve looked back at this memory every time it feels like failure is inevitable.”
Melinda decided to move to Vancouver to get more experience as a Chef. “That move helped me grow as a person. Going across the country at 21 and knowing no one helped me become truly independent.”
She moved on to become a Product Developer, working in test kitchens in manufacturing facilities.
“There, the level of complexity is so much greater than being a Chef. You need to figure out how to scale up a recipe to a massive scale, to anticipate changes, consider shelf-life stability, source ingredients, and develop relationships with suppliers and operational staff. This is a really niche job with few openings. There are only a handful of places you can work.”
Next, she decided to start her own consulting business, because she wanted the flexibility to determine her own hours and her own location.
“However, my very niche business took a hit in a post-pandemic economy where most of the industry felt pressure to put funding towards their own financial recovery instead of new product development. Also, I found that my career in product development had become less about creativity and making things, and more about technical aspects and paperwork.
“As a result, I decided a career pivot was the logical next step, and used what savings I had left to move back east from BC.”
Help from Trade HERizons
Before Melinda returned, she googled “women in trades PEI” and found the website for Trade HERizons. She applied and was accepted into the program. “They introduced us to many Holland College programs, and I liked the idea of taking Cabinetmaking, but there was a four-year waiting list.
“As soon as I stepped into the woodshop of the Heritage Retrofit Carpentry program, I knew this was for me. I spent a day in the classroom, and the atmosphere felt like home. The program is well designed, and the instructors are fantastic, and make you feel welcome.
“I like to build things. I chose Heritage Retrofit Carpentry because it is the arts and crafts aspect of carpentry. It’s more about the fine details and woodworking techniques.
“Returning to school in my thirties to pursue a new career isn’t something that I anticipated, but I do feel prepared and hopeful around this new challenge. I’m excited for the privilege that it truly is to be a student again.”
Transferrable skills
Melinda says there are a surprising number of similarities between working as a Chef and as a Carpenter.
“I have always been drawn to careers where I work with my hands – I am a very visual, creative, artistic person. In both jobs, you don’t shy away from hard work and sometimes difficult working conditions. You need to do more than show up. You need to work hard and have a talent for it.
“I look forward to joining an industry that’s in high demand, allowing me to hone a craft that uses my abilities and experience, build a life closer to my family, and continue towards leading by example in a traditionally male-dominated field.”
Changing careers from Chef to Carpenter
After a successful career in the culinary field, Melinda Burke has decided to go back to school to make a complete change – she is now taking the one-year Heritage Retrofit Carpentry program at Holland College.
“After completing the Pastry Arts program at Nova Scotia Community College in 2012, I was asked to represent my school, my province and then to everyone’s surprise – my country, in a series of culinary competitions in WorldSkills Americas in Sao Paulo, Brazil,” says Melinda. “Nobody (myself included) expected me to compete at an international level.
“When the competition began, anything and everything that could have gone wrong did. At this point I experienced something that has served me many times throughout high-pressure situations in my career – an instinct to get innovative. It worked, and against the odds, I found myself on a podium accepting a Gold Medal. I’ve looked back at this memory every time it feels like failure is inevitable.”
Melinda decided to move to Vancouver to get more experience as a Chef. “That move helped me grow as a person. Going across the country at 21 and knowing no one helped me become truly independent.”
She moved on to become a Product Developer, working in test kitchens in manufacturing facilities.
“There, the level of complexity is so much greater than being a Chef. You need to figure out how to scale up a recipe to a massive scale, to anticipate changes, consider shelf-life stability, source ingredients, and develop relationships with suppliers and operational staff. This is a really niche job with few openings. There are only a handful of places you can work.”
Next, she decided to start her own consulting business, because she wanted the flexibility to determine her own hours and her own location.
“However, my very niche business took a hit in a post-pandemic economy where most of the industry felt pressure to put funding towards their own financial recovery instead of new product development. Also, I found that my career in product development had become less about creativity and making things, and more about technical aspects and paperwork.
“As a result, I decided a career pivot was the logical next step, and used what savings I had left to move back east from BC.”
Help from Trade HERizons
Before Melinda returned, she googled “women in trades PEI” and found the website for Trade HERizons. She applied and was accepted into the program. “They introduced us to many Holland College programs, and I liked the idea of taking Cabinetmaking, but there was a four-year waiting list.
“As soon as I stepped into the woodshop of the Heritage Retrofit Carpentry program, I knew this was for me. I spent a day in the classroom, and the atmosphere felt like home. The program is well designed, and the instructors are fantastic, and make you feel welcome.
“I like to build things. I chose Heritage Retrofit Carpentry because it is the arts and crafts aspect of carpentry. It’s more about the fine details and woodworking techniques.
“Returning to school in my thirties to pursue a new career isn’t something that I anticipated, but I do feel prepared and hopeful around this new challenge. I’m excited for the privilege that it truly is to be a student again.”
Transferrable skills
Melinda says there are a surprising number of similarities between working as a Chef and as a Carpenter.
“I have always been drawn to careers where I work with my hands – I am a very visual, creative, artistic person. In both jobs, you don’t shy away from hard work and sometimes difficult working conditions. You need to do more than show up. You need to work hard and have a talent for it.
“I look forward to joining an industry that’s in high demand, allowing me to hone a craft that uses my abilities and experience, build a life closer to my family, and continue towards leading by example in a traditionally male-dominated field.”
Tammy Rix (Submitted photo)
Pursuing a career that follows her passion
“Having run my own business and working with several non-profit organizations, I have experienced the challenges of finding work that truly aligns with my passions,” says Tammy Rix.
Tammy has decided to make a major career shift, and is now studying acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, with plans to open a business providing effective and holistic health solutions to her community in West Prince.
Inspired by her personal experiences with alternative health methods like yoga and meditation, her goal is to enhance the quality of life for clients, using acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.
“I aim to integrate my background in business with my passion for holistic health practices to create a meaningful and fulfilling career.”
Education & Training
In preparation for her new venture, she completed a six-week online course in Ayurveda Core Practices in March 2024. Ayurveda, a healing science, takes a holistic approach to health designed to help people live long, healthy, and balanced lives. In September, she began a two-year online program with the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Previous education and work experience
She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Operations from DeVry Institute of Technology. Over the years, she has taken training and education courses and workshops in leadership, life skills, and business management. She has worked at a number of community-based nonprofit organizations in West Prince.
“When full-time employment became hard to find, I decided to open a consulting company and worked on contracts with a number of clients for about 13 years.”
In 2017, she became involved in helping O’Leary win the Canadian Kraft Hockeyville competition. After a year of going through the competitive process, the O’Leary Community Sports Centre was named the winner, and received $100,000 in arena upgrades.
When a job as the Executive Director of the West Prince Chamber of Commerce came available, her business background helped her to become the selected candidate. “I knew the business community, and I’m a people person. I had a lot of fun in that position, and I had a great experience networking with other chambers on the Island and across Canada. I loved supporting people to grow their businesses.”
Health challenges lead to a change in direction
“When the pandemic came, I was feeling physically burned out,” says Tammy. “I had some other health issues, including exhaustion, vertigo, anemia, and pain all over my body. I still had the responsibility to follow what was going on in the world and worked long hours to bring the right information to my members.
“As much as I loved my job, walking up stairs and sitting down for most of the day was not working for me. There was no sense staying in my job if I was feeling physically exhausted. I needed a new direction.”
Help from Career Development Services
Tammy visited the O’Leary Career Development Services (CDS) office to ask for advice. “Herbs, nutrition, and disease prevention were always a big interest in my life, so we looked at different education options in the holistic field.”
CDS suggested she look into the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, which offers courses in nutrition education. Tammy talked to a representative of the college and a graduate who now has a business in eastern PEI before deciding to enroll.
CDS also helped her apply to Skills PEI for a grant to help cover 70 percent of tuition costs.
“Being over 50 years old, I was afraid I was too old to go back to school. But it turns out that there are several people in the program who are older than I am. That made me feel better.”
She hopes to start her new business after she graduates in fall 2026. “I am keeping my options open and I’m doing research on different career paths I could take with this designation. I would love to work in a collaborative practice so I could gain more experience and learn from other professionals in a setting where we can work together as a team towards our patients’ wellness.”
Adapting to change
Tammy says the many different jobs she has had has made her feel able to adapt to new situations and use her skills in a new way. “With every new work experience, my confidence grew. I still get nervous in new situations, but I always feel better when I help someone else. And I hope that feeling will still be there when I open my new business and help my clients.
“Recognizing my tendency to experience stress, I am committed to applying the principles of self-care and stress management that I have learned through yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. By addressing this challenge proactively, I will be better equipped to maintain my well-being and achieve a balanced and fulfilling career in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.”
Advice to others considering a career change
“Don’t rush into a decision. Take your time, do research, and speak to people in the field to find out what a typical day is like. It took me a year and a half to research and make my new career choice. Ensure it’s the right choice for you, that you’re passionate about it, and that it doesn’t feel like work.”
“Having run my own business and working with several non-profit organizations, I have experienced the challenges of finding work that truly aligns with my passions,” says Tammy Rix.
Tammy has decided to make a major career shift, and is now studying acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, with plans to open a business providing effective and holistic health solutions to her community in West Prince.
Inspired by her personal experiences with alternative health methods like yoga and meditation, her goal is to enhance the quality of life for clients, using acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.
“I aim to integrate my background in business with my passion for holistic health practices to create a meaningful and fulfilling career.”
Education & Training
In preparation for her new venture, she completed a six-week online course in Ayurveda Core Practices in March 2024. Ayurveda, a healing science, takes a holistic approach to health designed to help people live long, healthy, and balanced lives. In September, she began a two-year online program with the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Previous education and work experience
She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Operations from DeVry Institute of Technology. Over the years, she has taken training and education courses and workshops in leadership, life skills, and business management. She has worked at a number of community-based nonprofit organizations in West Prince.
“When full-time employment became hard to find, I decided to open a consulting company and worked on contracts with a number of clients for about 13 years.”
In 2017, she became involved in helping O’Leary win the Canadian Kraft Hockeyville competition. After a year of going through the competitive process, the O’Leary Community Sports Centre was named the winner, and received $100,000 in arena upgrades.
When a job as the Executive Director of the West Prince Chamber of Commerce came available, her business background helped her to become the selected candidate. “I knew the business community, and I’m a people person. I had a lot of fun in that position, and I had a great experience networking with other chambers on the Island and across Canada. I loved supporting people to grow their businesses.”
Health challenges lead to a change in direction
“When the pandemic came, I was feeling physically burned out,” says Tammy. “I had some other health issues, including exhaustion, vertigo, anemia, and pain all over my body. I still had the responsibility to follow what was going on in the world and worked long hours to bring the right information to my members.
“As much as I loved my job, walking up stairs and sitting down for most of the day was not working for me. There was no sense staying in my job if I was feeling physically exhausted. I needed a new direction.”
Help from Career Development Services
Tammy visited the O’Leary Career Development Services (CDS) office to ask for advice. “Herbs, nutrition, and disease prevention were always a big interest in my life, so we looked at different education options in the holistic field.”
CDS suggested she look into the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, which offers courses in nutrition education. Tammy talked to a representative of the college and a graduate who now has a business in eastern PEI before deciding to enroll.
CDS also helped her apply to Skills PEI for a grant to help cover 70 percent of tuition costs.
“Being over 50 years old, I was afraid I was too old to go back to school. But it turns out that there are several people in the program who are older than I am. That made me feel better.”
She hopes to start her new business after she graduates in fall 2026. “I am keeping my options open and I’m doing research on different career paths I could take with this designation. I would love to work in a collaborative practice so I could gain more experience and learn from other professionals in a setting where we can work together as a team towards our patients’ wellness.”
Adapting to change
Tammy says the many different jobs she has had has made her feel able to adapt to new situations and use her skills in a new way. “With every new work experience, my confidence grew. I still get nervous in new situations, but I always feel better when I help someone else. And I hope that feeling will still be there when I open my new business and help my clients.
“Recognizing my tendency to experience stress, I am committed to applying the principles of self-care and stress management that I have learned through yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. By addressing this challenge proactively, I will be better equipped to maintain my well-being and achieve a balanced and fulfilling career in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.”
Advice to others considering a career change
“Don’t rush into a decision. Take your time, do research, and speak to people in the field to find out what a typical day is like. It took me a year and a half to research and make my new career choice. Ensure it’s the right choice for you, that you’re passionate about it, and that it doesn’t feel like work.”
Bursary winner talks about her path to becoming a Registered Nurse: Erin O’Brien
After working for 11 years in healthcare on PEI, Erin O'Brien decided to go back to school, and is now enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UPEI.
“Being a Registered Nurse has always been my dream, my calling, and something I want to accomplish in life, as helping others is something I love to do the most,” says Erin. “However, the decision to go back to school was not an easy one, as it puts immense pressure on my family, financially and supportively.”
Erin, who was born and raised in Tignish, is 32 years old and has two children. She graduated from Westisle Composite High School in 2010.
“After school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I just knew I wanted to help people in some way and make a difference in other people’s lives.”
She attended the Foundational program at Holland College, now called Pathways to College and Workplace Success, which gave her the opportunity to volunteer at several jobs to see what she might be interested in. When she did a placement at Tignish Seniors Home, a community care facility, she found her calling.
“I immediately fell in love with the caregiving role. The immense gratitude and rewarding feeling I got from caregiving solidified my decision to pursue a career in Nursing.”
She graduated from the Practical Nursing program in 2013 and immediately started her career in long-term care. “I enjoyed the company of the elderly, and knew I was making a difference in their lives, putting a smile on their faces with jokes or playing games, and giving them an opportunity to get out of bed and be cared for.”
Later in her career, she moved to acute care nursing at the QEH on the orthopaedic ward, and then worked in a completely different environment in a family doctor’s office.
“I believe that as a mature student, going back to school will give me an advantage towards my studies because I have already had 11 years of experience working in healthcare on PEI. I feel that at this point in my life, I have a great understanding of what my path is supposed to be. I have always had a strong passion to help others. This is what makes me happy, and is my driving force in life.
“As a family with young kids and two working parents and busy days of work, school, and extracurricular activities, I make it a priority to time manage to the best of my ability so that we still have the opportunity to have as much quality time together as we can.
“The greatest challenge I will have as a mature student with a family will be about the financial and supportive role I currently provide in our household. During my studies, I will not be able to work. This will turn our two-person income household into a one-person income household.
“We will have to make a lot of sacrifices to get through this time. Another challenge I will face will be that my studies will take time away from my children and my partner. I know in the end that this will be the best decision I could make with the situation I was in, and to support my family in the future.”
2023 Career Development Association of PEI bursary winners
As seen in The Employment Journey.
To read the stories of each of the 2023 winners, please click here.
2022 Career Development Association of PEI bursary winners
Two people making their career plans and dreams come true
As seen in The Employment Journey.
Lisa Marmen (Submitted photo)
October 26, 2022
by Gloria Welton
November is Canada Career Month and we would like to take this opportunity to profile two winners of the Career Development Association of PEI 2022 Phyllis Pitre Bursary for Adult Learners.
Did you know there are many Career Development Professionals across PEI who can help you make your career plans happen? These empathetic and trained professionals encourage and support job seekers and career planners across PEI to take steps toward a lasting and satisfying career. They meet with clients regularly and support them as they move towards their goals.
Two people making their career plans and dreams come true
Lisa Marmen from Ellerslie PEI started out with a career as a laboratory technician after completing a Bachelor of Biochemistry but soon discovered that this career was too lonely.
“My husband at the time had an aspiration to open his own business. So, we picked up our life and moved from Toronto to PEI to run a convenience store. That choice was good for him, but I soon discovered that this career was not at all inspiring for me.”
A WOW moment
“I was approached by a principal at the local school to tutor a student struggling in chemistry, and to do some substitute teaching. That was a WOW moment!”
She soon embarked on a career pathway to earn her Bachelor of Education to teach high school science and math, and she got a permanent position as a teacher. “I loved this role, but felt it was limiting when it comes to making a difference in the lives of struggling students. Back to school I went to complete my Master of Education in Leadership in Inclusive Education.
“Following completion of this program, my career started as Student Services Coordinator and later Student Services Director. This role was challenging and very fulfilling. During this 12-year period, I learned something new every day. However, I was laid off from this position due to restructuring. My career will now be a school Resource Teacher and School Counsellor, with some teaching or administrative tasks.”
Lisa feels the silver lining in her career change is her decision to enroll in a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University to become a counselling therapist. “This program will help me better meet student needs as a school counsellor. I am also planning a parallel career as a counselling therapist outside the public school system.”
Resiliency and a positive outlook on life have served her well
“When obstacles get in the way of my success, I am creative in problem solving and finding solutions. I do not hesitate to talk about the situation to a trusted colleague or friend. Usually, their questions or suggestions bring me closer to finding a solution.
“Through professional development, I have learned that a shared leadership style that values every member of the team and gives each member space to share their opinions is the best approach. I also have some moments when I struggle with my self-confidence and decision-making. I question my own competence in difficult situations. I think this reflexive practice helps me make well-informed choices and use emotions to act upon my life choices.
“I have been told by many colleagues that I am a good listener. When a problem is posed, I try to draw out more information to understand the situation better to make suggestions. I care about how a person feels, what thoughts are going through their mind, and how I can play a role in making their life better by becoming more authentic and aligned with their core values.”
She says these strengths and challenges have made her a stronger and more confident person who works well in a team where shared leadership is valued. “I strive to learn from any situation. I hope to never stop learning. My goal in life is to help others just as counsellors and psychologists have helped me overcome my fears and doubts and discover the value of being my authentic self.”
A deep struggle that redirected her life for the better
“About 10 years ago, after an especially difficult year in an intimate relationship, I was depressed. I could find no solutions to fix the emotional state I was in. I loved my partner, but he could be mean, especially when he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“He kept me awake night after night, fighting. The next day, he would not remember our conversations, or he would apologize and become attentive and loving again. This cycle took a toll on my mental wellbeing.
“In the cold of winter, a morning after a fight, I was driving to analyze the night’s events and figure things out. I had asked friends and neighbours to help me. Nobody wanted to get involved. My parents were against the relationship, seeing how unhealthy it was. I knew that if I turned to them for help, they would encourage me to leave, and this was something I was not ready to do.
“It was not the first time but this one seemed to bring about more desperation than usual. As I cried, I believed that the only solution was to end my life. I would drive as fast as I could, and head straight into a telephone pole. I felt that this action would take away all the hurt I was feeling. It seemed like the solution I was so desperately looking for.
“As I continued to drive, the thought of the consequences of a failed attempt at suicide seemed much worse. I did not want to be dependent on my partner. I then resolved to reach out to a therapist to help me find another solution. That was the best decision of my life. It took many years of counselling, reflecting, and taking small steps towards healing and building up my self-esteem and confidence.
“I am now living the best life I could imagine. I have built up my resilience, recognizing emotions and using them to change unhealthy situations, having a positive outlook and constructive thoughts, enjoying the simple things, and being authentic in all situations.
“Thank you for awarding me the Phyllis Pitre Bursary for Adult Learners,” says Lisa.
by Gloria Welton
November is Canada Career Month and we would like to take this opportunity to profile two winners of the Career Development Association of PEI 2022 Phyllis Pitre Bursary for Adult Learners.
Did you know there are many Career Development Professionals across PEI who can help you make your career plans happen? These empathetic and trained professionals encourage and support job seekers and career planners across PEI to take steps toward a lasting and satisfying career. They meet with clients regularly and support them as they move towards their goals.
Two people making their career plans and dreams come true
Lisa Marmen from Ellerslie PEI started out with a career as a laboratory technician after completing a Bachelor of Biochemistry but soon discovered that this career was too lonely.
“My husband at the time had an aspiration to open his own business. So, we picked up our life and moved from Toronto to PEI to run a convenience store. That choice was good for him, but I soon discovered that this career was not at all inspiring for me.”
A WOW moment
“I was approached by a principal at the local school to tutor a student struggling in chemistry, and to do some substitute teaching. That was a WOW moment!”
She soon embarked on a career pathway to earn her Bachelor of Education to teach high school science and math, and she got a permanent position as a teacher. “I loved this role, but felt it was limiting when it comes to making a difference in the lives of struggling students. Back to school I went to complete my Master of Education in Leadership in Inclusive Education.
“Following completion of this program, my career started as Student Services Coordinator and later Student Services Director. This role was challenging and very fulfilling. During this 12-year period, I learned something new every day. However, I was laid off from this position due to restructuring. My career will now be a school Resource Teacher and School Counsellor, with some teaching or administrative tasks.”
Lisa feels the silver lining in her career change is her decision to enroll in a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University to become a counselling therapist. “This program will help me better meet student needs as a school counsellor. I am also planning a parallel career as a counselling therapist outside the public school system.”
Resiliency and a positive outlook on life have served her well
“When obstacles get in the way of my success, I am creative in problem solving and finding solutions. I do not hesitate to talk about the situation to a trusted colleague or friend. Usually, their questions or suggestions bring me closer to finding a solution.
“Through professional development, I have learned that a shared leadership style that values every member of the team and gives each member space to share their opinions is the best approach. I also have some moments when I struggle with my self-confidence and decision-making. I question my own competence in difficult situations. I think this reflexive practice helps me make well-informed choices and use emotions to act upon my life choices.
“I have been told by many colleagues that I am a good listener. When a problem is posed, I try to draw out more information to understand the situation better to make suggestions. I care about how a person feels, what thoughts are going through their mind, and how I can play a role in making their life better by becoming more authentic and aligned with their core values.”
She says these strengths and challenges have made her a stronger and more confident person who works well in a team where shared leadership is valued. “I strive to learn from any situation. I hope to never stop learning. My goal in life is to help others just as counsellors and psychologists have helped me overcome my fears and doubts and discover the value of being my authentic self.”
A deep struggle that redirected her life for the better
“About 10 years ago, after an especially difficult year in an intimate relationship, I was depressed. I could find no solutions to fix the emotional state I was in. I loved my partner, but he could be mean, especially when he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“He kept me awake night after night, fighting. The next day, he would not remember our conversations, or he would apologize and become attentive and loving again. This cycle took a toll on my mental wellbeing.
“In the cold of winter, a morning after a fight, I was driving to analyze the night’s events and figure things out. I had asked friends and neighbours to help me. Nobody wanted to get involved. My parents were against the relationship, seeing how unhealthy it was. I knew that if I turned to them for help, they would encourage me to leave, and this was something I was not ready to do.
“It was not the first time but this one seemed to bring about more desperation than usual. As I cried, I believed that the only solution was to end my life. I would drive as fast as I could, and head straight into a telephone pole. I felt that this action would take away all the hurt I was feeling. It seemed like the solution I was so desperately looking for.
“As I continued to drive, the thought of the consequences of a failed attempt at suicide seemed much worse. I did not want to be dependent on my partner. I then resolved to reach out to a therapist to help me find another solution. That was the best decision of my life. It took many years of counselling, reflecting, and taking small steps towards healing and building up my self-esteem and confidence.
“I am now living the best life I could imagine. I have built up my resilience, recognizing emotions and using them to change unhealthy situations, having a positive outlook and constructive thoughts, enjoying the simple things, and being authentic in all situations.
“Thank you for awarding me the Phyllis Pitre Bursary for Adult Learners,” says Lisa.
Carter Baird (Submitted photo)
Carter Baird turned 35 in October and is pursuing a Bioscience Technology Post Graduate Certificate at Holland College. “I’ve been a resident of Canada and PEI for over a year now, and my decision to leave Colorado and pursue a career here has been completely validated.
“My education and career goals are inextricably linked to each other. I received my Bachelor of Science with a double major in Biochemistry and Theatre in 2010 and I’ve been looking for a slight change in my career for the past couple of years. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted aside from change generally, so I was experimenting with different programs ranging from project management to medical lab tech.”
Carter says it became clear, sometime in lockdown, that the change he and his partner needed wasn’t just career and education but location. He applied to multiple biochemistry programs across Canada.
“One big reason I chose Holland College was the PEI BioAlliance and its relationship with my program’s on-the-job training. It looked like a pipeline to employment before I arrived and has proven to be so now that I’m here. For example, I found my full-time summer job at STEAM PEI at a PEI BioAlliance career fair!”
STEAM PEI is a program that teaches Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math to K-12 students across PEI. “They needed someone to teach a bioscience camp and I was their man. All I had to do was create a curriculum Monday through Friday and deliver it to east and west locations on PEI.
“I was able to create a detailed curriculum in a few weeks because planning and foresight are some of my biggest strengths. My students were in grades 4 through 6. While developing my program, I took time to remember my life at age 10 through 12. I obviously can’t relate to their experience with technology because the Internet was still in its infancy back when I was 10 in 1997. But I can remember what it felt like: the extreme high and low of emotions just on the cusp of a flash flood of hormones, the wonder and excitement of discovery, the joy, terror, and eventual boredom of recess. Most of all, I recall how excited I was for a no-school summer.
“I made it my goal to not just educate these students, but make it fun, like summer should be.”
Overcoming obstacles
“Three days before my camp started, I learned that students in grades 1 through 3 would also attend. This gave me just enough time to tweak my curriculum. But then, on my first day of camp in Montague, I learned I would have no access to the Internet for the whole week.
“I overcame my difficult situation with a combination of foresight and collaborative teamwork. I had the foresight to not rely too heavily on Internet access for my curriculum because I didn’t know what venue I would be in for the bioscience camp. We still needed a little bit of Internet to access some critical documents and I was at a loss.
“I revealed the problem to my two teammates and proposed a brainstorm. One of my coworkers had the knowledge and skills to set up a mobile wi-fi hotspot using her phone, which gave us just the amount of Internet we needed to deliver the program.
“My passion and competence give me a bias towards self-reliance. Sometimes, the best solution is in those who surround me and all I have to do is ask. This is one of my greatest challenges and it’s a lesson I learned once more at STEAM PEI this summer.
“I hope to continue collaborating with exciting scientific teams to discover best solutions throughout the rest of my career here on PEI.”
Carter’s goal is to graduate from the Bioscience Technology program, gain employment at a bioscience company on the Island, and leverage his passion and skills to continue the important work of PEI bioscience companies.
“I love this Island and the people here. With the help of the Phyllis Pitre Bursary, I will be better equipped to continue my education and put down roots so I might become a valuable fixture in the PEI bioscience community.”
“My education and career goals are inextricably linked to each other. I received my Bachelor of Science with a double major in Biochemistry and Theatre in 2010 and I’ve been looking for a slight change in my career for the past couple of years. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted aside from change generally, so I was experimenting with different programs ranging from project management to medical lab tech.”
Carter says it became clear, sometime in lockdown, that the change he and his partner needed wasn’t just career and education but location. He applied to multiple biochemistry programs across Canada.
“One big reason I chose Holland College was the PEI BioAlliance and its relationship with my program’s on-the-job training. It looked like a pipeline to employment before I arrived and has proven to be so now that I’m here. For example, I found my full-time summer job at STEAM PEI at a PEI BioAlliance career fair!”
STEAM PEI is a program that teaches Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math to K-12 students across PEI. “They needed someone to teach a bioscience camp and I was their man. All I had to do was create a curriculum Monday through Friday and deliver it to east and west locations on PEI.
“I was able to create a detailed curriculum in a few weeks because planning and foresight are some of my biggest strengths. My students were in grades 4 through 6. While developing my program, I took time to remember my life at age 10 through 12. I obviously can’t relate to their experience with technology because the Internet was still in its infancy back when I was 10 in 1997. But I can remember what it felt like: the extreme high and low of emotions just on the cusp of a flash flood of hormones, the wonder and excitement of discovery, the joy, terror, and eventual boredom of recess. Most of all, I recall how excited I was for a no-school summer.
“I made it my goal to not just educate these students, but make it fun, like summer should be.”
Overcoming obstacles
“Three days before my camp started, I learned that students in grades 1 through 3 would also attend. This gave me just enough time to tweak my curriculum. But then, on my first day of camp in Montague, I learned I would have no access to the Internet for the whole week.
“I overcame my difficult situation with a combination of foresight and collaborative teamwork. I had the foresight to not rely too heavily on Internet access for my curriculum because I didn’t know what venue I would be in for the bioscience camp. We still needed a little bit of Internet to access some critical documents and I was at a loss.
“I revealed the problem to my two teammates and proposed a brainstorm. One of my coworkers had the knowledge and skills to set up a mobile wi-fi hotspot using her phone, which gave us just the amount of Internet we needed to deliver the program.
“My passion and competence give me a bias towards self-reliance. Sometimes, the best solution is in those who surround me and all I have to do is ask. This is one of my greatest challenges and it’s a lesson I learned once more at STEAM PEI this summer.
“I hope to continue collaborating with exciting scientific teams to discover best solutions throughout the rest of my career here on PEI.”
Carter’s goal is to graduate from the Bioscience Technology program, gain employment at a bioscience company on the Island, and leverage his passion and skills to continue the important work of PEI bioscience companies.
“I love this Island and the people here. With the help of the Phyllis Pitre Bursary, I will be better equipped to continue my education and put down roots so I might become a valuable fixture in the PEI bioscience community.”
2021 Phyllis Pitre Bursary Winner, Laura Mills
As seen in The Employment Journey.
Laura Mills was one of three recipients of the 2021 Phyllis Pitre Bursary provided through the Career Development Association of PEI. Submitted photo
October 19, 2021
by Gloria Welton
November is Canada Career Month and the theme is, “It’s Possible!” There is no better way to start the celebration this month than to profile a Career Development Association of PEI bursary winner.
Did you know there are many Career Development Professionals across PEI who can help you make your career plans happen? These empathetic and trained professionals encourage and support job seekers/career planners across PEI to take steps toward a lasting and satisfying career. They meet with clients regularly and watch them move towards their “It’s possible.”
Laura Mills from O’Leary is taking steps towards her “It’s Possible.” She enrolled in the first Human Services program offered at the Holland College West Prince Campus in Alberton in 2020.
During the process of applying for the Phyllis Pitre Bursary, she learned much more about Phyllis, and felt they had many things in common.
Phyllis, who passed away at the age of 48, valued lifelong learning and made a tremendous impact on people in her personal life and those she worked with to encourage and support them as they made life decisions and planned their career.
Because of Laura’s amazing story and meeting all the criteria, the Career Development Association of PEI selection committee awarded her and two other recipients a $500 bursary.
For more information about Laura's journey, click here
Read about the 2020 Phyllis Pitre Bursary award winners here
by Gloria Welton
November is Canada Career Month and the theme is, “It’s Possible!” There is no better way to start the celebration this month than to profile a Career Development Association of PEI bursary winner.
Did you know there are many Career Development Professionals across PEI who can help you make your career plans happen? These empathetic and trained professionals encourage and support job seekers/career planners across PEI to take steps toward a lasting and satisfying career. They meet with clients regularly and watch them move towards their “It’s possible.”
Laura Mills from O’Leary is taking steps towards her “It’s Possible.” She enrolled in the first Human Services program offered at the Holland College West Prince Campus in Alberton in 2020.
During the process of applying for the Phyllis Pitre Bursary, she learned much more about Phyllis, and felt they had many things in common.
Phyllis, who passed away at the age of 48, valued lifelong learning and made a tremendous impact on people in her personal life and those she worked with to encourage and support them as they made life decisions and planned their career.
Because of Laura’s amazing story and meeting all the criteria, the Career Development Association of PEI selection committee awarded her and two other recipients a $500 bursary.
For more information about Laura's journey, click here
Read about the 2020 Phyllis Pitre Bursary award winners here