Helping new generations NAVIGATE ONLINE LEARNING

Amanda Speight’s goal-setting and timemanagement skills are exceptional. The Class of 2022 alumna completed Lakeland College’s early childhood education (ECE) program while working full time in childcare and raising her two children. Now, Speight is guiding others through the process.

Originally from New Brunswick, she moved with her family to Kitscoty, Alta., in 2014, after her husband did fly-in work in the area for five years. Speight was a stay-at-home mom at first, and when her second child went to school in 2018, she decided to return to the workforce.

“I’ve always taken care of children in one capacity or another,” she says. “Whether babysitting, taking care of my own children, or taking care of other children in my home. I love working with children because they’re always experiencing something new. They look at things from a different angle that you or I wouldn’t because we’ve already had those experiences. I get to experience things with the children through fresh eyes and it’s amazing. It’s what draws me in every single time.”

Speight decided she’d rather work outside of her home and joined Kitscoty Community Cabin 4 Kids, working casually over the summer of 2019. That fall she went full time and decided to enrol in Lakeland’s ECE online program.

“I really enjoyed the program,” Speight explained. “It was really informative with tons of up-to-date information. All the instructors were willing to explain if I needed extra information to complete an assignment. They were very approachable.”

While Speight worked full time, raised her family, and completed her schooling all at the same, she also transitioned to a supervisory role at the daycare. She became the executive director at Community Cabin in May 2022 before graduating with her ECE diploma that June.

Now, Speight applies the new information she learned at Lakeland to her work with the children every day.

“I look at situations differently now.” she says. “For example, if there is a child who wants to do a specific task but may not be able to because of developmental needs, the courses gave me the education I need to be able to think outside the box, to be able to plan activities to meet the needs of the children.”

Speight completed her practicum requirements for the program at the Community Cabin and has supervised other practicum students as well. Some have been hired permanently at the daycare.

As they bring new staff onboard who are interested in further education, Speight encourages them to enrol in Lakeland's program, using her own experience to help them through the process.

“We have two students working with us currently who have enrolled in the online program. I feel like I can give them an accurate (account) of what to expect and how to navigate through the course because I’ve been through it,” Speight explains. “By having taken the program and now being in this position, I get to help other educators get their education and support them that way. It’s fantastic because Lakeland is local – it’s right there.”

When I came into the business, I immediately went into marketing mode, researched the market, and saw opportunities for us to grow. I found our strengths and weaknesses using what I learned at Lakeland,” says Angelo Yap, Class of 2015, business administration.

“My instructors will get a kick out of this, but the SWOT analysis works at this level. When fresh out of school, you want to use what you learned. I was able to identify that to be competitive. We needed to import and produce products ourselves.”

Based in the Philippines, Aromatise International Inc. trades, manufactures and imports food ingredients, chemicals, and fragrances. It’s been in business for 21 years.

Angelo quickly credits his time at Lakeland for what he’s accomplished at his family’s business.

“I use everything that I learned from Lakeland. Though I dropped it the first time, I ended up taking the accounting 101 course and have been able to help our accounting staff. Then my leadership class would kick in when I’d have to act as an interim manager when my parents go on international trips. I also remember classes about third-world countries and developing economies. Now working in the Philippines, which is a developing country, you get to experience what you’re taught and are ready for it,” he explains.

After graduating from Lakeland, Angelo earned a degree in marketing from Athabasca University (AU) in 2017 thanks to Lakeland’s transfer agreement. He credits the guidance he received from his academic advisor for helping him reach his goals. Before Lakeland, Angelo took a meat science program.

“One of the beautiful things I left with from my time at Lakeland was the comfort that came with my education. You meet these instructors who guide you throughout your program, making it easier to learn when things get harder. They care about each student’s success.”

After graduation, Angelo became Cargill's youngest production supervisor for their Calgary Case Ready Plant, thanks to his unique knowledge of meat science and business.

“Before moving to Canada in 2007, my family lived comfortably in the Philippines. I always knew I had the Philippine business as the backup plan, so when I was being considered for junior management positions at Cargill, I had to evaluate my options. I never expected to make a career outside the family business, so I returned to have a big part of the family business.”

During their stay in Lloydminster, Alta., the Yap family owned a restaurant. His mother is a former Lakeland employee, and his brother, William, also graduated from the business administration program and then earned an AU degree.

“The company has grown exponentially since I arrived, and with that growth comes the benefits. The family has been able to enjoy the fruits of that. We have travelled to multiple international destinations within the past five years, more than we have ever imagined we would have,” Angelo says.

However, Angelo’s success didn’t come without its hurdles. As an immigrant, Angelo had to push educational barriers to earn his credentials.

“I believed that if I kept moving forward, learning and trusting myself, everything else would get taken care of. Every step of the way was challenging, and I didn't know where it would lead me. But I trusted the process. You can't see the path but you can see what's right in front of you, so keep moving forward.

He hopes this advice can help others in similar positions get to where they want to go.