Pathways to Somewhere offers one-stop guidance to adult education
November 5, 2014 – Orillia, ON
Choosing a pathway to educational or job-related opportunities can be an overwhelming experience for many people. Questions like – What school should I attend? What job-related training is available? What's the cost of tuition? or How will I afford family or childcare? – can all be difficult to answer.
Two members of Lakehead University Orillia have decided to provide some guidance and answers to these questions at a new event called, “Pathways to Somewhere,” which will take place on Monday November 17 from 5 to 7 pm at the University’s downtown Heritage Place campus.
The idea for this event came from Research Assistant and Lab Instructor Debbie Balika, who recently completed her Master of Biology degree at Lakehead. “I thought it made a lot of sense,” said Dr. Linda Rodenburg, Lakehead Orillia professor and coordinator of the Humanities 101 program. “I have met many adults through Humanities 101 who are interested in further education, but unsure about where to begin.”
As a mature student with a family when she became a student at Lakehead University, Balika says she understands the barriers to further education that many adults may be experiencing.
“It is difficult to see any pathways when you are working in survival mode just getting through each day,” said Balika. “Like Linda, I too have met many people in the community who are seeking new pathways through education and unsure about what options are available to them.”
“What we’re offering is a free event that is aimed at helping anyone who is considering a change in their lives that could begin with education,” explained Balika.
Dr. Linda Rodenburg (l) and Debbie Balika
At the Pathways event, attendees will be able to learn about educational programs, financial opportunities, and the services of various organizations that offer free mentoring, clothing, and computers.
Participating organizations include Lakehead University, Georgian College, Marvel Beauty School, Liaison College, Contact North, RCTech, Simcoe County District School Board, Northern Lights, YMCA Entrepreneurship programs, and more.
Balika and Rodenburg are hoping the event helps people discover new options and eliminates some of the obstacles that may deter them from making a change in their lives.
For further information about attending the event, email Rodenburg (lrodenbu@lakeheadu.ca) or Balika (dbalika@lakeheadu.ca).
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MEDIA: For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.
In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by its Strategic Plan (2013-2018), Lakehead is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies.
Maclean’s 2015 University Rankings places Lakehead University 2nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2nd in Ontario and 3rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.
Visit www.lakeheadu.ca