Changing career: Abeer’s Journey to Becoming a Lab Technician

Back home, Abeer was a lawyer. When she came to Canada, starting over was not an option due to the cost as she had 3 children to take care of. Abeer initially studied travel and tourism at a college in Toronto, then worked as a Supervisor for Air Canada’s call center.

Unfortunately, in 2006 Air Canada shut down the Call Center and opened a new one in Montreal. Abeer then worked as a manager for a catering company, “During this time I learned how to work under pressure, solve problems complete tasks within a given timeframe and how to work as part a team,” said Abeer. Unfortunately the job came with difficulties, “ I was stuck working night shifts for 5 years, which took a lot of my energy. It was then that I decided to make a change,” explained Abeer.

Abeer initially visited to Anderson College intending on becoming a Dental Assistant. She recalls the team as being welcoming, resourceful and inviting. Starting her education again was not easy, but Abeer found the support she was looking for throughout the entire process. “When I quit my job, I wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision, but in my heart I knew I needed support and a career change. They really understood exactly what I was going through; that was a turning point for me, I was motivated to keep going and never look back,” said Abeer.

Abeer’s Admissions Advisor suggested she attend one of the classes to see if the program would be a good fit for her. In exploring different programs, Abeer decided to take the Medical Laboratory Technician program instead. “Being a Medical Laboratory Technician is amazing,” said Abeer. Coming from a non-scientific background, learning about anatomy and physiology was difficult, but her instructor taught in such a way that she could easily understand and he was always there to help her when she needed it. “He was always there for us, he was resourceful and he had a great way of explaining things,” she said.

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While studying, COVID-19 was spreading and she had to start learning virtually. “COVID-19 was a very difficult time for me personally, however Elizabeth (Mississauga’s Director of Education) was a shining light in my life. She was the person who kept me going and she was the one who knew about all my ups and downs. She would guide me 100%, take my hand and lift me up whenever I needed it,” remembers Abeer.

After finishing her program, Abeer had job interviews at North York and Humber hospitals and she went there with confidence. After each interview she came out stronger and more confident about her knowledge. She was even tested by Trillium and she got 38 out of 50 on her quiz. “Even though I had no previous knowledge of medical terminology, I’ve learned so much. I’m so proud of myself!” she said.

Her journey at Anderson College gave her all the tools she needed to challenge herself and to pursue her dream career. “When you go to Anderson College in Mississauga, you’re not in a college, you’re in a family, and that’s feedback I’m getting from everybody!” said Abeer.

She added gratefully, “To every single person that has been working so hard to make this period easier, for every person who has supported us with their words or a smile, it was greatly appreciated from the bottom of our hearts.”

Abeer currently works at a dental clinic and she was recently offered a managerial position within a new clinic. In addition to this new role, she also decided to continue working as a Medical Laboratory Technician several days a week. She is currently looking for a position at a family doctor’s practice or in a laboratory.