Paige Polchies isn’t afraid of hard work. Over the last few years, the 23 year-old Indigenous learner has put her iron-clad work ethic to the test to achieve her goal – a diploma from the Personal Support Worker program at NBCC Woodstock.
“Everything I have in this life, I’ve worked hard for it,” she said. “I’ve been on my own since I was 16.”
As a single mom, Paige juggled the demands of full-time studies with caring for her six-year-old son while holding down two jobs. On her first attempt at the Personal Support Worker program, she wasn’t able to balance her studies with the demands of her home life. But she didn’t give up – she returned to the program in the following academic year and was proud to collect her diploma in June 2018.
“It wasn’t easy; there were some long nights,” she said. “There were days that I had to go to class but I didn’t have a babysitter, so I just took my son to class with me.”
Paige credits the support of NBCC staff and fellow students in helping her obtain her diploma. Her instructors encouraged her every step of the way, even when it meant she had to bring a pre-schooler to class.
Paige has secured two jobs in her chosen field, but she isn’t ready to close the book on her studies.
“I do plan to upgrade my education in this field,” she said. “I’m not done yet.”
