Should you go back to school?

A+ moment
Because she's a mature student, Paulette enjoys a different relationship with course instructors, closer to that of a peer. And her instructors have generously critiqued her business plan and introduced her to business contacts.

Lesson learned
"Protect your time because school is a lot of work; you are doing homework every night."

Paula Sinnott, 51
Paula (pictured right) had worked in the medical records field for 10 years in her native North Dakota. But when she married and moved to Canada, the stay-at-home mother of three worked sporadically. So, in 2001, when Paula and her husband divorced, she needed to find a new career to support herself and her youngest son and daughter, who were 14 and 12 at the time. "It was an ugly divorce. I had no money for a year-and-a-half. I needed to do something smart," recalls Paula.

Inspired by the idea of returning to school, Paula got course catalogues from a few local colleges and came across an interior design program at Lethbridge College in Alberta. The profession appealed to her, and she could drive to school from her home in Pincher Creek, Alta. "I didn't want to uproot my children," she adds.

The two-year program wasn't an easy ride, though. Paula had to take a math class to upgrade her skills, sometimes pulled all-nighters to meet assignment deadlines, and appealed a failing grade she was going to receive in a drafting class – and won. Today, with her diploma under her belt, Paula is employed as an interior designer, designing kitchens and bathrooms for homeowners and builders. Though the job provides a modest income, she loves the people she works with and has passion for her career.

How she made it happen
"Whatever it takes" became Paula's motto. She didn't have any income so she paid for school and living expenses with RRSP savings and credit cards. (She tried unsuccessfully to get a loan from the bank and college.) Her kids also had to take on more responsibility, such as making some of their own meals and cleaning the house.

Biggest challenge
Not being able to do as much for her kids as she wanted. "I remember sitting at my drafting table and my daughter was sitting at our kitchen island and we had our backs to each other, both doing homework. She said to me, 'Could you be a mom for a minute and make me some supper?' That was hard," recalls Paula, who just kept reminding herself that school wasn't going to last forever, and then she would be more available for her family again.

A+ moment
Paula developed friendships with several of her classmates and enjoyed working with them on projects. "It was a very intense program for all of us, and you give and receive support from one another, which brings you closer," she says.

Lesson learned
If you don't have the funds to make your dream a reality, then try to get a loan from the bank. The investment will be well worth it, according to Paula. "A loan is nothing; this is your life."

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