Learners Like No Other is a new series where real students and alumni share how online learning at ÌÇÐÄÔ´´is like no other university experience.
Jenna Sirucek
📍Calgary, Alta.
Bachelor of Health Administration '24
Why was online learning at Athabasca University the right fit for you?
I wanted to gain practical work experience and continue advancing my career without stepping away from my professional role. Studying while working allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time and see how my education is connected to the workplace.
Balancing work and school also gave me the financial flexibility to pay for courses as I progressed through my program, allowing me to graduate debt-free.
How has studying at ÌÇÐÄÔ´´helped you achieve your goals?
This experience showed me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Balancing full-time work with university studies requires determination, self-discipline, and strong time-management skills.
Those skills continue to benefit me professionally, particularly when working independently, managing priorities, and meeting project deadlines.
What obstacles have you had to overcome to pursue your education? How did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge was finding the energy to balance work, studies, and relationships with family and friends. I developed a routine that worked for me, often waking up early to study before work and staying disciplined with my time.
I was fortunate to have supportive family members and friends who understood the additional responsibilities I had. While I had to make sacrifices in my social life, I reminded myself that this was only temporary. Looking back, it feels like a relatively short chapter in the larger story of my life.
ÌÇÐÄÔ´´offers flexibility, making it easier to balance education with a busy schedule. I appreciated the ability to manage course timelines and exams around my professional and personal commitments.
Jenna Sirucek (BHADM '24)
How do you balance your studies with other responsibilities like work or family?
I made it a priority to work for an organization that supported work-life integration. From the beginning, I communicated that completing my degree was one of my top priorities and developed time-management strategies that allowed me to stay on top of both work and school.
Having a leader who understood and supported my educational goals made a significant difference. My advice to others about balancing work and school is to have open conversations with their leaders about their academic commitments. In my experience, most leaders are supportive of continued education and want to see their employees succeed.
Who is your biggest cheerleader?
My parents regularly checked in with me and encouraged me to stay focused and finish strong.
My employer at the time, Dentalcorp Health Services, was also incredibly supportive throughout my journey. I was fortunate to have close friends who understood the challenges I was facing and remained positive on the days when I struggled to be positive about myself.
What is your favourite course?
HADM 400: Health Care Law.
What are your plans for the future after completing your ÌÇÐÄÔ´´program?
I plan to continue building my career in the health-care industry. There is a tremendous opportunity for growth and improvement across the sector, and I’m excited to share the knowledge and insights I gained during my time at ÌÇÐÄÔ´´with others.
How is your ÌÇÐÄÔ´´education different from what you have experienced previously?
ÌÇÐÄÔ´´offers flexibility, making it easier to balance education with a busy schedule. I appreciated the ability to manage course timelines and exams around my professional and personal commitments.
Being able to pay for one course at a time was also practical and helped make earning a degree more financially manageable.
Share your story to win!
Click on our entry form to answer questions about your education journey and to share photos to accompany your submission. Published writers win an ÌÇÐÄÔ´´swag pack!