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'I鈥檝e always wanted a degree': One 老司机直播 employee's 10-year journey to reach her goal

Photo of Marilyn Kwan
"It's such a relief," says Marilyn Kwan. 鈥淚t has been a long 10 years, but I really enjoyed every course that I took鈥 (photo by Ken Jones)

Ten years ago, Marilyn Kwan decided to fulfil a life goal and enrol as a part-time student at the University of Toronto.

Kwan, who works in human resources at 老司机直播 Scarborough, already had a diploma from Seneca College and had once started to study at Ryerson University, but left because of family responsibilities. 

But, she says, 鈥淚鈥檝e always felt like that was something left undone. I鈥檝e always wanted a degree and I鈥檝e always loved learning."

This week, after a decade of part-time studies, she got her wish, graduating with a bachelor's degree in arts, studying English and history. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 such relief,鈥 says Kwan, who is the senior HR consultant and staff development co-ordinator at 老司机直播 Scarborough.

鈥淚t has been a long 10 years, but I really enjoyed every course that I took.鈥

Kwan says she learned how to juggle all her responsibilites, and working at the university certainly helped.  鈥淚f work didn鈥檛 allow me to eventually take courses during the day and shift my hours, I couldn鈥檛 have done this," she says.

Many of the courses were at night. 鈥淚 would leave work at five, race home, make dinner, make sure everything was in order and race back for a seven o鈥檆lock class," she recalls. "The class would end at 10 and I鈥檇 go home and make sure everything was cleaned up and ready for the next day.鈥

Being a mature student didn鈥檛 come without challenges. Kwan says it took her a couple of years to strengthen her essay-writing skills, but she received help from the Academic Writing Centre.

But she got through it with help from her manager, colleagues and family, including her two children. For the past four summers, she has made the dean's list. 

 鈥淚 think the calibre of the teaching here is excellent,鈥 she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e had nothing but good things to say about all of the professors who have taught me. They just had so much to give to every class.

"Everyone鈥檚 support in my learning was invaluable.鈥

 

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