Emerson Gray came to NC with a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. During his time here, Emerson achieved a lot, both academically and personally, which only reaffirmed his calling to pursue the Personal Support Workers program.
As he gears up for graduation, we catch up with Emerson to learn about his favorite NC experiences and what he hopes to achieve in the future.
Do you have any guests in the audience who will be cheering you on that you would like to mention?
My boyfriend Kevin, my mom Cathy, and my aunt Joanne will be there with me celebrating this special day.
How do you feel about your upcoming convocation day/ what does it personally mean to you?
Leading up to the day, the excitement and nerves have been building up. On the day, I believe it’ll be a wave of emotions considering I’ve worked hard, and this has meant a lot to me. Since finishing the program and working within my field, I feel as though I have started living and have found what it is I am meant to be doing; touching the lives of individuals that are needing to be seen and heard when no one has been there for them. I have felt that before when growing up, so this touches a special place in my heart.
What were you doing before attending NC (did you enroll after high school, did you study at another postsecondary institution, or were you working)?
Prior to starting this program, I was working full time at Tim Hortons which had been my saving grace while confronting past trauma before getting into this field. I needed to address my past and better myself so that I could take on this program and initiate my future career path.
What led you to study at NC and to your program of study?
I heard great things about Niagara College from friends who had graduated not just from my program, but from the college in general. Thinking about others and putting them first is the type of person that I am. When the pandemic occurred, I kept hearing about the dire need of PSWs within the world and I felt as though the timing of everything aligned perfectly. This was the right time to change my life and have an impact on others.
What interests you in / why are you passionate about your field of study?
Having that impact on individual’s lives is what interests me. Being a part of their world where they depend on me and can count on me to be there for them, to speak for them when they can’t, and to make each day a little bit brighter is what continues to drive me to work hard and light up the passion that I have.
Do you have a specific career goal in mind when you enrolled in your program… did it change since you started?
When starting the program my main goal was to pass every class with a 75% or higher, which I am proud to say I accomplished for both semesters! During the year, each teacher I had the privilege to be taught by was fantastic. They were always there to answer any questions and were able to breakdown and re-explain anything I wasn’t grasping. Shoutout to Alison Cousineau for allowing me to vent to her when needed and to provide me with advice, I was able to use to help get through the second semester, but also in life itself. It was nice to feel like I could talk to one of my professors on an equal field and be fully transparent with my feelings.
How did you find your program experience – any highlights?
Overall, my experience in this program is one I’d never want to change. Having all the hands-on opportunities really allowed me to place myself within the medical environment that I soon would be entering, which provided me the confidence and preform effectively at what I do.
What did you find rewarding about your program / area of study? Does something stand out to you that you will never forget about your time at NC?
I was able to get past the hurdle of my own stress which at times would stop me in my tracks as I would be thinking about every assignment and test that was coming up, doubting my abilities to get through it. Having my boyfriend Kevin there by my side while going through this journey, constantly cheering me on and supporting me, really made getting past these mental obstacles easier.
Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program?
Within the program, there was two co-ops: one being part time at West Hills in St. Catharines. The second one being full time at the United Mennonite Home in Vineland. Both placements allowed me to work alongside passionate PSWs that provided me insight within the field and on numerous occasions, told me that I was in the right profession and that I’m going to be a great PSW. I can recall a PSW that I was working with being surprised that I was working so hard and passionately considering I was just in a school placement and not yet a working professional. I’m not in it for the money, also, the work ethic that I have for school is going to be transferred over to my work. Yes, I was there as a student to learn but that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit back and not be apart of the team. I need to be staying busy regardless, but more so when there are individuals that are needing my assistance.
What have you been doing since you completed your studies at NC?
Since finishing my program, I have started working at the location where I had my part time co-op: West Hills, which is right here in St. Catharines which is in walking distance from me. Walking has always been therapeutic for me, so being able to do it before and after my shifts has had a huge positive affect on my mental health. During my co-op placements and even at work, I have been asked if I was a nurse or in nursing. To me, that feels like the universe is telling me to continue my education and become a nurse. I want to continue working as a PSW for a bit and save up money in the meantime and then pursue an education in nursing.
