From career back to the classroom

John Christoffersen began his post-secondary journey at VIU in 2001 with plans to pursue a business management certificate. Taking a course or two over the next few years, he put his education on pause in 2006 due to life and family responsibilities at the time.

Then, in May of 2020, John decided to return to VIU to get a business degree. He was eligible for the provincial Tuition Waiver Program, which he says “really opened up the possibility for me to earn a degree.”

John graduated from the Bachelor of Business Administration program with a major in Human Resources and has now been accepted into VIU’s Master of Community Planning program. “I am extremely excited to start this new educational journey,” he says. 

We caught up with John to see what he had to say about returning to university as a mature student and what supports made all the difference for him.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Victoria and moved to Nanaimo in 1994. I met my wife Jennifer in Nanaimo and shortly after that we had our son Cole. I begin my educational journey at Vancouver Island University in September 2001, originally looking to earn a business management certificate. I was only taking a course or two at that time and in 2006, I stopped going to university due to family responsibilities and a child on the way. In May of 2020, I decided to return to VIU but this time I was looking to earn my bachelor’s degree in business. Initially I went back to school due to a slow-down of work as a result of COVID-19.

What motivated you to pursue your Bachelor of Business Administration?

I was always interested in business. I worked in the oil and gas industry and the forest industry for many years, and subjects such as accounting, economics and management really appealed to me. COVID-19 also prompted me to go back to school since work had slowed down at that time. I thought the opportunity was there to not only finish my business management certificate but also to continue my studies so that I could achieve my Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

What was it like going back to school as a mature student?

At first many of my courses were online due to COVID-19. This was a great way to ease into being a student again. When regular classes resumed, I wondered how well I would fit in with much younger students. Much to my surprise, this was not an issue. I became friends with many students, enjoyed working in groups completing presentations, and many of them have become my friends. As my educational journey continued, I found myself well-received in the classes and comfortable with my classmates. I found the instructors and professors excellent, and my experience both in life and work was looked upon as an asset in the class. My unique perspective also was valued in my classes.

As a tuition waiver student, in what ways did the university support you that you found helpful?

The tuition waiver program really opened up the possibility for me to earn a degree. I received excellent support from both Angela Meneghetti and Sarah LaMarre from Financial Aid services. Both of them worked extremely hard at making sure I received any and all supports I needed to be successful at VIU. I genuinely believe without the support of the tuition waiver program, and many of my professors, as well as Shq'apthut (A Gathering Place) and my fellow students, it would have been impossible for me to achieve my educational goals.

Can you share a highlight of your VIU journey?

The quality of the course content, and the committed, caring and understanding professors.

Was there anything about your learning journey that surprised you?

I was pleasantly surprised by how well the other students welcomed me into the program. As a mature student I was surprised by the collaboration and support I received from the students, some of whom have become friends outside of VIU.

What’s next for you?

I have been accepted into the Master of Community Planning program at VIU. I am excited to start this new educational journey. I plan to use my next degree to help Indigenous bands navigate land use questions as they continue to work towards their own individual treaty negotiations.

Do you have any advice for students considering coming back after many years away from school?

Take the first step. Being a mature student was both challenging and rewarding. Initially I had doubts about how I would fit in returning to university, but I quickly realized that I was just the same as the other students, just mature. My professors and other students made me feel welcome in the classroom. My work and life experience was an asset and many of my professors used my experiences to enrich the course content. I was valued in group work for both my work and life experience.