Kim Kimberlin, Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies student
📍 Williams Lake, B.C.
Why was online learning at Athabasca University the right fit for you?
Living in a remote community, online education was my only option. I also have children and didn’t want to disrupt their lives for my degree; working full time made flexibility essential. Online learning lets me balance my studies with my responsibilities.
How has studying at AU helped you achieve your goals (personal, professional, academic)?
Pursuing higher education has been a lifelong dream, but after having children and building a career, it felt like that ship had sailed. Studying with AU has given me the opportunity to pursue my goals without sacrificing my personal life—though, at this point, my personal life is mostly just studying! Once I complete my master’s, I plan to pursue a PhD with the hope of teaching one day.
What obstacles have you had to overcome to pursue your education?
Education is expensive, so being able to continue working full time has allowed me to save for my next course and avoid taking out student loans. I finally paid off my student loans and am doing everything I can to avoid taking out new ones. Time is another obstacle—along with motivation after a long, tiring day—but with my courses being online, I can check in with my class and readings in the evenings or during my lunch break at work.
Perhaps it's the writer in me, but I feel more connected to my online classmates than I ever did during my in-person undergrad.
Kim Kimberlin, MAIS student
How do you balance your studies with other responsibilities like work or family?
It’s hard, but I remind myself that it’s just a season. I’ve always been an avid reader, so for now I’ve accepted that I need to put fun reads on the shelf while I focus on my schoolwork. Most of my studying happens after my kids are in bed. I’m tired every day, but I know each step brings me closer to my goal.
Who is your biggest cheerleader that helps you stay focused on your goals?
My husband and my friends who check in on me to ask how my studies are going. My kids are also a huge motivation—especially my daughter. I believe it’s incredibly important for daughters to see their moms pursuing education and careers. There’s no single “right” way to be a mom, but in a world where girls still face barriers to education, I want to show them that they can pursue learning and find their own path to self-fulfillment.
What's your favourite course?
MAIS 601 – Making Sense of Theory in the Humanities and Social Sciences. I was dreading this course because it's a core course which I interpreted as boring, but it turned out to be my favourite course thus far.
What are you plans for the future, after completing your AU program?
I will begin the process of applying for PhD programs. I hope to teach creative writing at the university where I currently work, and after my PhD, gender and women's studies. Every professor I’ve spoken to has told me that stable teaching jobs are hard to come by. Maybe I should take their advice—but then again, I like to dream big!
How is your AU education like no other?
I’ve been surprised by how engaging the discussion posts with my classmates have been. Perhaps it's the writer in me, but I feel more connected to my online classmates than I ever did during my in-person undergrad. We’re essentially writing long letters back and forth, and the discussions have been incredibly enriching. That said, I wouldn’t have learned well online during my undergrad years in my 20s; I wasn’t focused enough back then. But now, with a busy life, I actually prefer it.
Share your story to win!
Click on our entry form to answer questions about your education journey and to share photos to accompany your submission. The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. (Mountain) on Feb. 28, 2025.