Robertson students face the future

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What’s the first word that pops into one’s mind when describing going off to college? Excited? Hopeful?

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/06/2019 (2516 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What’s the first word that pops into one’s mind when describing going off to college? Excited? Hopeful?

Try terrified.

As she got ready to receive her diploma as a health-unit clerk during Robertson College’s graduation ceremony Friday at the Victoria Inn, Stephanie Key-Pichie said she was “terrified” to go back to school.

Randa Wilson, left, who graduated as an administrative professional, and Elizabeth Santos, who earned her diploma as a health-care aide, take some selfies during Robertson College's graduation ceremony Friday at the Victoria Inn. (Bud Robertson/The Brandon Sun)
Randa Wilson, left, who graduated as an administrative professional, and Elizabeth Santos, who earned her diploma as a health-care aide, take some selfies during Robertson College's graduation ceremony Friday at the Victoria Inn. (Bud Robertson/The Brandon Sun)

“I’d been to ACC (Assiniboine Community College) before, and I didn’t finish my first year there,” said Key-Pichie, who has three younger kids at home.

“I guess that really discouraged me, and I was really nervous about going back to school.”

But after looking into the programs at Robertson College and talking to director Amy Kilburn, she decided the health-unit clerk program was the right fit for her.

Unlike a similar two-year office administration program at Assiniboine, this one only took a year to complete, she said.

It all worked out for the best.

Key-Pichie graduated with honours and, after her practicum, landed a job a Brandon Clinic.

“It feels good,” she said, as she and the other graduates got ready to receive their diplomas.

Key-Pichie wasn’t the only one to feel the cold sweat of hitting the books.

“After being out of school for just over 10 years and having three amazing children … I never thought I’d have it in me, the opportunity or time to go back to school,” said Randa Wilson, one of three graduates to speak at the ceremony.

“In high school, I was always struggling to get my grades up, and I was terrified to go back to school,” she told the audience.

As it turned out, there was nothing to fear but fear itself.

Despite being terrified at the thought of going back to college for a second time, Stephanie Key-Pichie graduated with honours from Robertson College on Friday. (Bud Robertson/The Brandon Sun)
Despite being terrified at the thought of going back to college for a second time, Stephanie Key-Pichie graduated with honours from Robertson College on Friday. (Bud Robertson/The Brandon Sun)

Wilson also graduated with honours and is now Kilburn’s administrative assistant at the college.

This year, the college graduated 72 students in a number of programs, including accounting assistant, administrative professional, legal assistant, health-care aide, health-unit clerk and massage therapy.

Forty-seven graduates were on hand to receive their diplomas in person.

A number of dignitaries were on hand to congratulate the graduates, including Brandon East MLA Len Isleifson, Brandon West MLA Reg Helwer, assistant deputy mayor Glen Parker and Glenda Short, director of clinical programs and services at Prairie Mountain Health.

Robertson College is one of the oldest private colleges in Canada, dating back to 1911.

» brobertson@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @BudRobertson4

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