Ida's Story: Strengthening Business and Community Through Lifelong Learning

For Ida Edwards, education has been a lifelong pursuit - one that has shaped her career, strengthened her business, and even become a family tradition! As a business owner, council member for the Town of Athabasca, and alumni of the Business Administration program at Northern Lakes College (NLC), Ida has embraced learning as a way to stay ahead in an ever-changing world.

"My daughter took the program in 2004, and I was really impressed with the content," Ida reports. "I have a bachelor's degree in Music, and I serve on different boards and arts groups, but I was feeling left behind when it came to grant applications, bookkeeping, and financial statements. Everything was moving online, and I realized I either had to upgrade my skills or step away from these responsibilities."

With a growing need for digital literacy in business, Ida chose NLC for its accessibility and flexibility. "I live in Athabasca, and I wanted something local. It took me five years to complete because I did it part time, but I could spread out the classes, which made it manageable. The teachers were very supportive."

Though she already had a university degree, Ida quickly discovered the practical benefits of studying business administration. "It gave me processes that were time-saving and helped me really analyze business decisions," she says. "I’m not a linear thinker, but when I do catch on to a structured process, it has a huge impact on me. The program helped me understand business planning, weighing pros and cons, and why things are done a certain way."

One course that surprised her was Business English. "I thought, ‘I’ve already studied English at university—I don’t need this,’" she says. "But I did need it. It really clarified business communication, especially in writing letters and proposals. I didn’t realize how different that kind of writing was until I took the course."

But returning to school as a mature student wasn’t without its challenges. "It took me nine years to get the courage to go back," she admits. "I wasn’t sure if I could do it. And to be honest, math and statistics melted my brain. I had never studied so hard in my life! But you know what was really interesting? Doing math made me a better musician. My sight-reading, my ear training, my ability to make music - it all improved. There’s definitely a connection between math and music."

Ida also appreciated the challenge her instructors provided. "They were very task-oriented," she says. "It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, you’re a mature student—good for you.’ It was, ‘Here’s the work, now get it done.’ I liked that approach."

Education has been a family affair for Ida. "My whole family has gone to Northern Lakes College," she says. "My daughter did Business Administration, my son took Power Engineering, and my husband also completed Power Engineering. At one point, my son was struggling and my husband said, ‘It’s not that hard.’ So, my son challenged him to take the course - and he did!"

Looking back, Ida encourages others not to delay their education. "Just do it," she advises. "Time is going to pass whether you go back to school or not, so you might as well make the most of it. Lifelong learning is so rewarding, and it helps you grow in ways you don’t expect."

From improving her business operations to shaping local policies on town council, Ida’s journey at NLC has empowered her to lead with confidence, proving that it’s never too late to learn, adapt, and thrive.