Elizabeth Gedcke grew up knowing the meaning of hard work. Working at the family business, she knew how to balance the books, treat customers, and successfully schedule her time, all before she was 18. What she yearned for was to finish high school and pursue post-secondary education, but this seemed out of reach.

She was in her early twenties when Elizabeth left the family business, married her husband, Tim, and began a family. She did not give up on her dream of post-secondary education, though. She was committed to a career in healthcare, but told herself that the opportunity would present itself when it was the right time.  

When Elizabeth’s third son began kindergarten, she told herself it was her time. Excited, nervous, and hesitant were just some of the feelings Elizabeth experienced. For some, thinking of returning to school would be a daunting task but this busy mom of three had a dream of working in healthcare, so she started searching. Elizabeth began researching post-secondary institutions in Alberta and found that many did not have a clear path for someone without a high school diploma. She was excited when she discovered that Northern Lakes College (NLC) offered just that: a path as unique as her needs. “I loved that NLC was a ‘come as you are’ type of school. NLC took me as I was. I didn’t need to start high school at the age of 30,” Elizabeth explains.

Elizabeth decided to pursue a Licensed Practical Nurse diploma. She first took advantage of the College and Career Preparation (CACP) program at NLC to help her gain entrance into the Practical Nurse (PN) program. 

CACP allowed her to take the prerequisite courses she needed. She was delighted to learn she did not need to have her high school diploma; that there was another path. She could take courses from home, while her boys were at school, to qualify for the PN program. It seemed like the perfect beginning.

Following the CACP program, Elizabeth entered the University Studies program to take a few core courses to lighten her load during the PN program. “I was pleasantly surprised from the get-go. My University Studies instructors were professors from all around Canada. I felt I was getting a university experience in a college setting. The level of instruction was very high quality,” Elizabeth shares.

While in the University Studies program, two of her professors encouraged her to go beyond a diploma. They suggested she pursue a degree or even a master’s program. Elizabeth began to contemplate her options. “I love NLC’s motto, ‘Start here, go anywhere’.” she says. “With the help of these professors, I began to believe that, despite my lack of an early formal education, I might be able to achieve something that seemed out of reach before my time at NLC.”

Currently working on her second year of University Studies at NLC, she manages the other aspects of her life by utilizing the work ethic she learned as a child. Elizabeth time-blocks and sets boundaries on her days so she can fit everything in. “When my kids are at school, I do my schoolwork at home. I don’t worry about other things like washing dishes and exercise. Those things can be done in the evening.” Elizabeth credits her husband, mother, and in-laws for their support. “I have learned to be humble and ask my support system for help. They are a huge part of my story,” Elizabeth states.

Elizabeth is grateful for having a unique story while still finding a post-secondary where she fits in. As she shares, “I feel at home at NLC. There are so many people with unique backgrounds. I am not the only one that didn’t finish high school or the only one with children. At NLC, my classmates come from a full spectrum of life experiences. The beauty of NLC is that you don’t have to have a specific educational background to get in. Come as you are, and you can succeed.”

In the future, Elizabeth would like to work in a healthcare setting. She is currently interested in a Bachelor of Human Science and plans to apply to a Registered Nurse or Physician’s Assistant program one day.

Elizabeth’s story is just one of many that exemplifies how NLC can take students from where they are to where they want to be.

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