Heidi Chater

When Heidi Chater was having a self described “medium life crisis” a few years back she learned about and enrolled part time in Red Deer College’s Virtual Assistant program.

Heidi Chater’s first foray into online learning was a few years back when, while in the process of changing jobs, she enrolled part time in Red Deer College’s Virtual Assistant program.

I was looking for something different to do with my career; something that would take my previous knowledge and combine it with my creative and artistic interests,” says the 30-something eCampusAlberta student.

Then, just two classes shy of finishing the Virtual Assistant program, Chater made another change when she decided to switch to the Arts and Cultural Management program at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton. Enrolled full time in that program since the fall of 2010, Chater hopes to complete the certificate program in the fall of 2011 and the diploma program the following year, in 2012.

“The skills I learned in the Virtual Assistant program were fantastic,” the Red Deer resident says. “But when I discovered the program I’m taking now, I thought it was a better fit with my goal of becoming a Community Arts Administrator.”

In her new program, Chater is learning publicity/media relations, volunteer management and how to market effectively – all things that will serve her well in her chosen career. When she finishes the program, she plans to work on a project-by-project basis with not-for-profit organizations, musicians, artists and other creative individuals and groups to help them manage events and projects.

And she says she’s definitely happy with her decision to study online through eCampusAlberta.

“I like the flexibility and the convenience of being at home,” she says. “You don’t need the big backpack; you just plug in your computer and away you go.”

“The opportunity to study online has enabled me to pursue education that I may not have been able to get otherwise.”

Learn more about MacEwan's online Arts and Cultural Management certificate program.