Returning to Learning: Alumni Panel & Info Night

Robyn Dutertre
Current student, Business diploma (Sport Management specialization)

• Robyn has had a 21-year career as a professional chef at a childcare centre. When the centre grew and her job expanded without a pay raise, Robyn started to think about a career change. Driven by her passion for professional sports, she sought opportunities in the field but soon realized that further education was necessary. Robyn began the Business certificate program online through Continuing Education, then transferred to the diploma program where she is currently in year two of the Sport Management specialization. This past Fall, Robyn was one of two students chosen to be a Sask Polytech volunteer at the Canadian Football League Players’ Association Grey Cup event in Vancouver.

Laurel McLean
Current student, Agriculture and Food Production diploma

• Laurel has worked at many jobs, from oil patch medic to wildfire firefighter, refrigeration mechanic to security guard, with stops along the way in retail and to study psychology at university. After moving home to take care of her mother during a terminal illness, she decided to return to learning to start a new career path. Laurel is now in her second year of the Agriculture and Food production diploma program, which has three co-operative education work terms where she can earn while she learns. She has the goal of owning her own farm.

Tyler McWillliams
Current student, Civil Engineering diploma

• Tyler explored various career paths in his early to mid-20s before finding his niche in the earthworks industry. Over several years, he progressed from a flagger/laborer to a traffic coordinator and eventually to a heavy equipment operator. Tyler is furthering his education in the Civil Engineering Technologies (Civil Construction) program. His motivation stems from a desire to expand his knowledge and enhance his skills. Tyler is particularly proud of his performance during his co-op work term, where he combined classroom knowledge with field experience, earning recognition from experienced coworkers and mentors.

Leila Benmerrouche
GIS specialist and Sask Polytech instructor
Alumna, Integrated Resource Management (IRM) diploma and Geographic Information Science (GIS) certificate

• Initially unsure of a career path, Leila navigated through various disciplines—from veterinary science to microbiology—before discovering a passion for resource management. Enrolling in the Integrated Resource Management (IRM) program at Sask Polytech was a turning point. Through further education in GIS and professional development, Leila gained expertise in spatial analysis, proprietary software and data visualization. Today, Leila is an instructor at Sask Polytech, sharing her passion for GIS and applied research with the next generation of professionals.   

Denishia Cook
Current student, Practical Nursing program

• Denishia began her educational journey by applying to the adult education program at Sask Polytech to earn her Grade 12 diploma. As a single mother, she was determined to create a better life for herself and her daughter. With her sights set on competitive entry nursing programs, Denishia was motivated to excel in her studies and maintain good grades. She takes pride in overcoming challenges, such as stable housing and reliable transportation, and is currently in her final semester of the Practical Nursing program. Denishia is eager to pursue a career in obstetrics after graduating in June and plans to further her education to become a lactation consultant.

Robynn Hueser
Current student, Carpentry certificate 

• Robynn has been a successful, licensed professional nurse (LPN) for twelve years, where she has worked in long-term care, home care, the operating room, and, most recently, pediatrics. Soul searching, personal healing work and her mother, who also changed her career in her mid-30s, inspired her to pursue education in a completely new field. Robynn’s goal is to own an all-women, all Indigenous construction company. She is in her second year of the Carpentry certificate program and is loving it.

Jason Hull
Accessibility support advisor, Sask Polytech 
Alumnus, Office Administration certificate

• After struggling with learning, Jason left high school to work in construction and factory jobs. An injury and layoff at 27 prompted him to pursue a formal assessment to understand and manage his learning difficulties. Upgrading high school as an adult learner, Jason then entered Justice Studies at Sask Polytech (known as SIAST at the time). He worked with young offenders and in adult corrections for many years before realizing he liked the administrative aspects of his job the most. Jason returned to Sask Polytech in 2023 to take the Office Administration certificate. He now works at Sask Polytech in Student Services, helping other students with learning challenges achieve their goals.

Carley Makuch
Current student, Resource and Environmental Law diploma 

• Carley worked in a variety of roles with the City of Regina for 12 years before deciding to pursue further education in a field that will give her personal satisfaction along with a pay cheque. The Resource and Environmental Law program fits her interests in the outdoors as well as social justice. She has been actively participating in applied research initiatives with a gardening and vermicomposting focus while undertaking her studies, both as a volunteer and paid assistant. She is proud to be doing something that is somewhat uncomfortable, knowing that it is taking her in a direction that will give her long-term career satisfaction. 

Ian Gretchen
Current student, Bachelor of Applied Management 

• Ian is a seasoned Red Seal Millwright with a 25-year career at IPSCO/Evraz where he honed his expertise in industrial mechanics. His decision to return to post-secondary education was sparked by a simple yet profound question from a classmate after achieving his Red Seal certification: “Now what?" That curiosity led him to enroll in an Occupational Health & Safety program through the University of New Brunswick. While completing that program, he discovered the Bachelor of Applied Management at Sask Polytech—a perfect fit for his aspirations as he approaches retirement from Evraz and prepares for the next chapter in his career. At 50 years old, he continues to prove that learning, growth and career evolution have no age limit.

Denise Fortin
Alumna, Phlebotomy applied certificate
Current student, Psychiatric Nursing advanced diploma 

• Denise worked in various healthcare roles with the Saskatchewan Health Authority for 35 years. She returned to the classroom 10 years ago to study phlebotomy to better serve patients at primary health clinics in core neighborhoods. Denise is following a personal and professional passion for breaking barriers surrounding mental health. She upgraded prerequisites through Adult education before applying for competitive entry to Psychiatric Nursing where she is now in year one. Denise is passionate about her learning journey, saying, “My nursing career won’t be a long one, but it will be a meaningful one.”  

Jamie Dae
Alumnus, Automotive service technician certificate and Adult Education upgrading classes

• Jamie trained as an auto-mechanic and enjoyed his work for many years. An injury led him to contemplate a career change and further education. He recently completed Adult 12 classes to upgrade prerequisites required to enter one of the engineering technology programs offered at Sask Polytech. Jamie is particularly interested in the Engineering Design and Drafting Technology program and knows his life and past work experience will help him transition to a new career. He did better than he expected in Adult 12 math and physics subjects and is excited at the educational opportunities these courses are opening up for him.

Luke McConnell
Current student, Graphic Communications diploma 

• Luke spent 15 years working for the provincial government, mostly as a senior policy analyst, before taking the leap to change his career. Although he has a Bachelor of Arts in political science and has had a steady job since graduating, he never felt as though he truly had a career—or the tangible, marketable skills needed to pursue work in a new area. Luke is in his second year of the Graphic Communications diploma program and looks forward to finding employment in the non-profit sector when he convocates.

Cheyanne Reimer
Current student, Welding certificate 

• Cheyanne started her post-secondary education in business, thinking she wanted an office job. After a few years of employment, she decided to check out some trades programs through Sask Polytech’s Women in Trades and Technology (WITT) on the suggestion of a co-worker. A WITT instructor encouraged her to pursue welding. Cheyanne is half-way through the Welding certificate program, has had a great experience and looks forward to a very different career from what she initially imagined.

Matthew Berube
Current Student, Mechanical Engineering Technology diploma

• Matthew is a husband and father of two active kids. An injury from a car accident more than a decade ago increasingly made working as a Journeyperson plumber difficult. With the support of his wife and family he decided to pursue education in a field with room for career growth. Academics had been a challenge for Matthew in high school. Self-reflection and a learning disorder diagnosis helped Matthew decide not to let his disability define his success. Choosing to take the two-year Mechanical Engineering Technology program over three years has made balancing family and his studies possible. He’s proud to have made it through the challenging first year and is looking forward to his new career.

Quint Lange
Current student, Pharmacy Technician diploma

• Quint graduated from university with a Bachelor of Science in statistics more than twenty years ago, then pursued broadcast training and worked as a radio news and sports announcer for five years. A move back to Saskatoon saw him change careers and he has been working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) as a unit clerk since 2011. Quint decided to return to learning to advance his career in a new field within the SHA. He is now in his second year of the Pharmacy Technician program and is excited to return to the hospital environment with new skills and better career-growth and earning potential.

Rebecca Mott
Current student, Pharmacy Technician diploma

• After working in the accounting field for over 20 years, Rebecca decided to take her career in a more people-focused direction. She entered nursing but a pharmacology class in her first term led her to switch to the Pharmacy Technician program where she is now finishing her first year. Many of Rebecca’s classmates are the same age as her own two grown children. She has embraced the age gap and says it helps her to understand different perspectives.

Have you ever thought, "I wonder what Sask Polytech programs may be a good fit for me?" The Sask Polytech Program Explorer is here to help. It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and provides a list of programs for you to investigate based on your answers to questions about your interests, skills, natural talents and values.

Do you have questions about Sask Polytech? We are here for you! Book an appointment for one-to-one advising virtually or in-person. Advisors will be available to provide information on everything from program information to submitting your application to Sask Polytech.

Career counsellors can assist you to create and choose a meaningful career direction through a career planning process. Plan to join one of our upcoming career counselling webinars prior to or after the Returning to Learning event.