News Article

The difference between a job and a career


1/30/2007 11:40:55 AM


Kirk Burry accepts his ABE diploma from Brenda Reid, Clarenville’s campus administrator. He went on to complete the Construction/Industrial Electrical program in Bonavista and won third place in a skills competition last year.

Kirk Burry grew up in Happy Adventure, central Newfoundland. He left the province in 1990 before having completed high school, to go to work in Alberta. Though he found employment for 10 years in the oil patch in Calgary, there came a time when Kirk realized that he, his wife Kim and their two children would have to come home – so he could complete his education and find a meaningful career.

“Finding employment in Calgary was never a problem because there is a lot of work there, but having a job and having a career are two different things,” he explains.

“For example, you start a job with a company and work for them for a couple of years and you get laid off. When you look for another job it doesn't matter that you have two year’s experience; if you don't have a high school diploma or post secondary education you start at the bottom again.”

Kirk found that employers look at one’s education first and then work experience.

“I had more than 10 years of experience in sheet metal and construction, but when I went looking for work, none of that mattered; I did not have the education to back it up. I would have to start at the same wage as the guy with no experience,” says Kirk.

It became clear to him that he had to complete his education or remain in the same rut for the rest of his life. He decided to get his high school diploma and a trade.

“I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had a goal that I wanted to accomplish,” says Kirk.

“Once settled in, I studied hard and with help from some great instructors and my own determination, I graduated with top marks and my Grade 12 diploma. I also received the NAPE Scholarship.”

Kirk found the instructors at CNA’s Clarenville campus to be very helpful and supportive.

“As long as you want to learn and you are willing to work hard they will bend over backwards to help you. They always had time for with whatever questions I had, even after class. They would give up their own time to make sure that I understood the work and I spent a lot of hours on my school work,” he says.

It wasn’t an easy road for the mature student after being a bread winner for 10 years. Every night and weekend he set himself to homework or studying. He also had to travel an hour to and from school every day. But it was worth it.

“Graduating with my diploma gave me the confidence and the determination to go back and get my trade.”

After completing ABE, Kirk enrolled in the Construction/Industrial Electrical program at CNA’s Bonavista campus. His family stayed in their hometown of Happy Adventure. The program was a lot more work than ABE, he discovered.

“I had to make some sacrifices to achieve this goal because I had to live away from my family during the year, but I always had their total support,” shares Kirk.

“I tried to get home every couple of weeks but it was not always possible. Sometimes the weather was bad, or financially it was not possible as we were now maintaining two households. Then my truck gave out, and I had to use my wife's car.”

All of these obstacles only made him more determined to finish the program and do it with top marks. And that he did. Kirk graduated in June 2006 with a 90 per cent overall average. Another challenge was thrown his way and again he rose to the occasion, when his instructor told the class of an upcoming Skills Canada competition. This not-for-profit organization actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies to Canadian youth through skilled trades competitions held throughout the country.

“My instructor told the class about the Skills Canada competition. He said anyone was welcome to enter. I figured that I had nothing to lose and only knowledge to gain so I entered,” Kirk reveals.

“I came away with the Bronze medal in the Electrical category.”

Kirk is now a registered Electrical Apprentice, working towards becoming a licensed Journeyman Electrician. A short-term investment in his education will yield him a life time of a rewarding career.

“I recommend to anyone, no matter what your age, to go back to school and at least get your high school diploma. It is the difference between a job and a career.”


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For information contact:

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic
709 643.7928