By Miranda Orth
I had a personal goal to become an assistant bookkeeper. This is my story about my experiences taking a bookkeeping course at Vancouver Island University (VIU).
At a self-advocacy meeting, I heard about STEPS Forward, an organization that provides support for people with intellectual disabilities to attend post-secondary education. I contacted them and STEPS Forward connected me with a VIU facilitator and helped me apply for a bursary.
I was in school from September 2022 to June 2023. I liked that I could do my course online, as it’s the best way I can learn. Having email contact with the instructor and having the resources needed relating to my work, kept me on track with my assignments. Besides the course, I really liked participating in weekly VIU fitness sessions.
The course itself was challenging and rewarding. A few of the challenges I had were that I was doing it online to accommodate my learning needs. I also had to ask my instructor for an extension for more time and support to understand and complete an assignment. Another challenge I faced was a household emergency that required my attention while trying to keep up with my coursework. The rewarding part was that I completed my course with an 80 % grade. I now have a framed certificate on the wall in my office.
I am currently working as an Assistant Bookkeeper and working at the reception at a local agency. My task for the next few weeks will be auditing. The agency provides an inclusive and supportive work environment, which I appreciate.
I encourage other people to follow their passions and go to university.
