Transforming Lives: Moving Beyond
My journey
Transforming Lives: Moving Beyond is a testimonial series written by AU students and alum who want to acknowledge how AU has helped shape their lives.
It’s a space for those who want to thank the people who have helped to mould and transform their AU experience to achieve their greatest successes; all while looking forward to their future educational and personal potential.
Their story is worth shouting from the rooftops! Have an inspiring story of your own to share? Email us! We’d love to hear it.
My MBA journey with AU started in October 2014
I was hungry for a challenge and was craving more of myself. I heard from a friend who recently completed the Athabasca University MBA for executives program that it had transformed them to new levels of thought leadership and allowed them to become more disciplined.
After hearing this, I immediately signed up for the MBA information session webinar and got further educated on the program. The program fit in with my busy work demands and allowed me to balance early mornings and evenings. This enabled me to not only continue to develop my professional career but also still be a husband and father.
My network
My wife was pivotal in the process as once she knew about the potential of me signing up, she did not let me turn back. My wife was the founder of my support network that would later get me through the program. The beginning was not easy as it stripped me completely from old habits and routines. The completion of each course was a badge of honour that only fuelled the passion for more.
Use every single moment
I remember the program like it was yesterday. A training camp with amazing mentors and professors that built me into whom I am today. I became so disciplined with school time and used every possible free moment in car rides, planes, and in coffee shops to complete my studies. The program enabled me to find ways of incorporating all my evening and morning schoolwork into my job to elevate my personal career at the same time.
“You look at the world with a new lens and it gives you the ability to transfer new skills to new industries and be adaptable for whatever the future holds for you.”
– Chris Kachuk
When I reflect on the discipline that the program helped me develop, I see my four children also now exude this level of discipline to strive to be their own personal best. I thank Athabasca University for, not only transforming me to be a better father, husband, leader, and lifelong learner but for feeding a future hunger to always want more.
I learned from my mentors you don’t just get an MBA, you become one! You look at the world with a new lens and it gives you the ability to transfer new skills to new industries and be adaptable for whatever the future holds for you.
