When you’re in the thick of full-time adulting—whether that’s juggling a demanding nine-to-five job, raising kids, family commitments, an always-crowded calendar (or everything all at once)—taking that next big step in your career can feel daunting. It’s why Yorkville University (YU) has been so essential for Canadian women looking to level up their career or explore new professional opportunities. In fact, the fully accredited university is a leader in flexible, asynchronous and fully online undergraduate and master’s programs, and proudly hosts a 70 per cent female-identifying student body. YU’s year-round start dates, accelerated pathways, and online offerings allow students to live their busy lives while they learn, empowering women across all provinces – in both rural and urban settings – to access education and grow their careers.

Mississauga, Ontario local, Ayesha Bhikha, chose to pursue a master’s degree after losing her mom — someone who instilled the importance of education into her from a young age. Bhikha enrolled in YU’s Master of Education program as a way to honour her mom and grow her talents. Even though pursuing a two-year graduate study program while working full-time (not to mention her family responsibilities) had its fair share of challenges, YU’s flexible, learner-centred approach was key in elevating Bhikha to her current position — Director, Career & Women’s Services at Achēv, a strategic role in the not-for-profit sector that supports women and newcomers.

“This two-year-long educational journey gifted me with a toolbox of skills, knowledge and, most importantly, confidence to take on a wide range of challenges in my current role,” she says.

Much like Bhikha, the path to career success for Calgary, Alberta-based Mandy Smith-Haber was anything but linear. Returning to school after a 20-year hiatus and finding a true work-life balance as a single mom was an adjustment, but with support from YU faculty and staff, she earned her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.

Now, Smith-Haber is a registered psychologist and the founder of Strata Psychology Inc., where she’s focused on helping others in her community.

“My experience at Yorkville reminded me that anything is possible, even when [you’re] faced with the most challenging circumstances,” says Smith-Haber. “At any time in your life, you can shift direction and change your life, aligning it with what is meaningful to you.”

YU is proudly different from traditional universities; many Canadian women choose YU because they’re looking for a more flexible and accessible take on the traditional higher education experience. Here, students from different life stages and backgrounds, can embrace education as a part of their full life.