For Kaesha Milne, it’s About Finding the Perfect Fit

Kaesha Milne spent her first two years of university chasing her basketball dreams. While on the court she fit in well with her team, but something just didn’t feel right when she’d leave the gym and head to the classroom. So, Milne made the difficult decision to leave the University of Lethbridge and go back home to Medicine Hat to try and figure out a new path that suited more of her career goals and aspirations.

“I never quite felt like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel with the schooling I kept taking. I felt like I was going in circles and was going nowhere,” said Milne. While home, she began working at her local neighbourhood pub. After striking up a conversation with a customer on one particular shift, she started her journey to a career path she always dreamed of through the Academy of Learning Career College.

“(She) taught the medical office assistant program (at AOLCC) in Medicine Hat. I have never in my life seen someone love what they do more than her, and that’s when the realization kicked in that I wanted to be like that,” said Milne.

Milne enrolled at AOLCC and graduated this spring with her Medical Office Assistant program with Healthcare Unit Coordinator diploma. Embarking on a new career path can bring along new fears and different challenges and then add in a global pandemic that has wreaked havoc worldwide over the last year. It certainly caused various obstacles along the way.

But at AOLCC, the staff and administration work strongly to help students achieve success, whether in the classroom or remotely, which has been the case for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her journey at AOLCC, Milne was surrounded by a supportive and welcoming community.

“Elaine (program instructor) knew how to keep us engaged, even if it was through a computer,” said Milne. “She’d come in early, or late to help you. When I say she puts everyone’s success and happiness above hers, it would be an understatement.”

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Milne was hired immediately after completing her practicum late last year, and she’s fitting in and flourishing in her new career as a health unit coordinator.

“I instantly fell in love with what I do. I fell in love with everyone I met in that environment. I was quite lucky, because as soon as my practicum ended, I was hired, and I’m forever grateful for that,” said Milne. “I work alongside two of the best doctors I could ever ask for, and coworkers now have become lifelong friends. I have never looked back or regretted the decision I made. It was the best thing I could’ve ever done for myself.”