More than just a number: How personal connections fuelled Amanda’s BTech journey

For many online students, the journey to a degree can feel like a solo marathon. But for Amanda, a 2023 Bachelor of Technology graduate, the path to her credential was paved with personal connections that made all the difference.

“Having the same advisors throughout kept me engaged in completing my degree,” Amanda says. While many digital spaces feel anonymous, Amanda found something different at TRU: a sense of accountability and care.

Working closely with her Program Advisors, Dan and Kris, Amanda felt she was seen as a person rather than just a statistic. “Not being a number really led to me not wanting to let them down,” she admits. “I continued on my learning journey because of that connection.”

That support system culminated in a major milestone. When it came time for Amanda to travel from Calgary to Kamloops to attend the June 2024 convocation, she was heading toward a celebration with people who had rooted for her from the start.

“I was from out of town and I didn’t have any friends or family in Kamloops,” Amanda shares. “When it was my time to graduate and walk the stage, I got emails from Dan and Kris to let them know that they would be waiting for me afterwards for hugs and congratulations and I better make my way to see them!”

Even long after her graduation, the impact of those relationships remains. While she has moved on to the next chapter of her career—recently connecting with the TRU Student Engagement & Experience team at a TRU AlumNight event in Calgary—she still looks back fondly on those check-ins.

“I still miss seeing those emails from AdvisorD@tru.ca in my inbox,” she says. “It really did feel like a very memorable and special time in my life. Not just the graduation, but the whole process and communications throughout.”