Khadidja graduated from Pathways Hamilton in 2023. She is now set to begin her second year at Brock University, where she is studying Nursing.
“Where can I see myself years from now? Graduating with a nursing degree, working as a registered nurse, and eventually applying to medical school and specializing in pediatrics,” said Khadidja, who just recently finished her first year in Brock University’s Nursing program. Deciding on a career journey wasn’t easy at first for Khadidja, but she credits the Pathways Program for helping her reach the path she is on today.
It all started in Grade 9, when Khadidja first learned about the Pathways Program in Hamilton, the city she lives in. “My older brother and sister were both in the program, and they not only enjoyed it but also found it beneficial. I also appreciated the support they provided to students in need,” she explained. “That’s why I wanted to be part of the program.”
Being at Pathways, Khadidja had the opportunity to branch out and engage with her community by volunteering as a Pathways Youth Leader. She collaborated with fellow leaders to brainstorm and implement various ideas to support the community, managed diverse projects and events, and created social media posts for her peers. Additionally, as a program facilitator, she supported the planning of activities for young students and, during the pandemic, worked with her peers to organize online activities that kept students engaged and connected.
All her hard work led her to win the Lieutenant Governor’s Award, which rewards one student at each high school in Ontario for demonstrating leadership and dedication to their community and going above and beyond the volunteer requirements to graduate from high school. “It’s something I’ll forever be proud of—to this day, I have my award hanging in my room!”
Deciding on a career path can be one of the most challenging decisions a young person can make. When it was time to apply to post-secondary education, Khadidja was still deciding what path to follow. “There were so many options that it’s hard to choose just one. But I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the sciences because I’m passionate about that.”
Khadidja turned to her coach to help her brainstorm and weigh up the pros and cons of her options, with Nursing and Health Sciences as her top two choices. Her coach also connected her with mentors in those fields. “My mentors, especially my coach, encouraged and guided me. Their support was instrumental in my development, and their advice and encouragement left a lasting impression on me.”
Khadidja decided to pursue Nursing and was accepted into Brock University’s Nursing program. She was also the recipient of the Horatio Alger Scholarship, which she learned about through her coach, and the Bertha and Bernard Harrison Living Legacy Scholarship in Applied Health Sciences at Brock University, among other scholarships. “These scholarships, together with the hard work I put into maintaining excellent grades, have been a great support in covering my tuition and other school expenses.”
Reflecting on her first year in university, Khadidja described it as “A different experience from high school. Balancing work, school, and clinicals is even more challenging and requires greater accountability and discipline. But I always tell myself, ‘I can overcome anything.’”
Her favourite part about her program is how hands-on it is: “I look forward to my lab sessions because they help me understand what I’ve learned in my lectures, and I learn more by doing.” She thanks the Pathways Program for providing the skills and confidence needed to tackle her program’s challenges. Although she put in the hard work herself, the Pathways support was essential. Additionally, Khadidja finds working as a Clinical Extern a fulfilling extension of her education, offering valuable opportunities to apply her learning and gain practical experience in a real-world setting.
Getting involved in her community and supporting younger students has also influenced Khadidja’s vision for her future career. She is driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in the world. “I’ve always liked working with youth, so once I gain experience as a nurse, I’d like to specialize as a pediatrician and help young people.”
As more students graduate from the Pathways Program each year and transition to post-secondary education, Khadidja has some advice: “Embrace the opportunities, learn from your coaches and mentors, and take advantage of the supportive community around you. The skills and connections you build through Pathways will serve you well in your future educational and career endeavours.”