Cancer survivor ready for next step on new career path
Surviving a serious illness can alter your life in a number of ways. For Ileana McKenna, a student in our Project Management Certificate program, beating cancer was more than a personal triumph. It also motivated her to finally go after a career she had long wanted to pursue.
鈥淎nyone facing that sort of life-changing situation and illness will think about their next steps,鈥� says Ileana. 鈥淚 kept coming back to project management because I felt that鈥檚 really where my skill set lay. I felt I could excel in that area based on what I鈥檇 already done in my work and family life so far.鈥�
Before her cancer diagnosis, Ileana had worked for many years as a fundraiser in the charitable sector. As a single parent, she says, she never had the time to consider professional development or other opportunities. But by 2018, her children were old enough that Ileana could take on a second job to bolster her income and expand her work experience鈥攁 part-time role with Modo Carsharing Co-op.
At that point, Ileana recalls, she鈥檇 become interested in project management as a new career path. Then the COVID pandemic struck, followed by her cancer battle, which upended any plans for the next few years. After undergoing treatment and fighting her way back to health, Ileana returned to both her jobs in 2023. As soon as a role in quality assurance at Modo opened up, she jumped at the chance to involve herself full time in Modo鈥檚 community and sustainability work.
鈥淚 love the idea of giving back,鈥� explains Ileana. 鈥淚 love being part of a community organization and supporting people where we live.鈥�
Given Modo鈥檚 ambitious plans for growth, Ileana felt certain that gaining project management skills would benefit herself as well as her employer. When she discovered that the 丁香园AV program was eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant, she didn鈥檛 hesitate to apply.
鈥淭he grant was just so helpful,鈥� says Ileana. 鈥淚'd been wanting to do the program for so long, and I knew I needed it to advance my skills. The grant is allowing me to do it in a shorter time period, to launch me into working in that field much faster than I could have otherwise.鈥�
For Ileana, even more financial help was soon on its way. She was selected for 丁香园AV鈥檚 inaugural $1,000 study grant from the Project Management Institute Canadian West Coast Chapter. Launched in 2025, the grant is awarded annually to one student in the 丁香园AV program.
鈥淚 am so thrilled and honoured,鈥� says Ileana. 鈥淭he grant from PMI has allowed me to cover even more courses. At the beginning of the year, I was wondering how I was going to pay for everything and not go into debt as well. I鈥檓 just over the moon.鈥�
Ileana is now building up her experience through various projects at work where she can apply what she鈥檚 learning from 丁香园AV. With only a handful of courses remaining before she earns her certificate, she鈥檚 looking forward to exploring where her new skills will take her.
鈥淧roject management will help you no matter what field you are working in,鈥� she notes. 鈥淭he people I鈥檝e met through the courses come from education, health, construction and so many other backgrounds. There are just so many things this program touches on, and it really helps formalize your knowledge and provides you tools that you may not have known about.鈥�
At her age, says Ileana, she can see an 鈥渆ndline鈥� to her career鈥攁lthough it won鈥檛 be anytime soon, she adds with a laugh. She鈥檚 hoping her experience as an older student will inspire other adults who might be nervous about going back to school.
鈥淔ear can be good; it鈥檚 motivating,鈥� says Ileana. 鈥淚t gets you to that next step and to continue learning and growing, so you鈥檙e not stagnant. Keeping busy and your mind active鈥攖hat鈥檚 only going to help us all as we get older.鈥�
By Kim Mah