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What’s the first step in completing a master’s degree in physics? For Shawn Miller-Chikowski, that achievement began with academic upgrading at 91��Ƭ��. Shawn took a chance on turning a lifelong interest in physics into a career, and credits the courses and instructors at NWP for helping make that dream a reality.

Getting there wasn’t a straight line for Shawn. After completing high school in Thunder Bay, ON, more education was the last thing on his mind. Shawn relocated to Grande Prairie and found several years of employment in the oilfield. When layoffs loomed in the mid-2010s, Shawn was ready for a change. He finished work on a Sunday - and started orientation at NWP the next day.

“I got up the courage to give it a shot,” he says. “I wanted a challenge.”

Shawn began his relationship with NWP through conversations with the administration team. They helped Shawn make a plan that started with a year of academic upgrading. Though Shawn felt an affinity for physics and got solid grades in high school, he hadn’t taken any physics courses before. Upgrading felt like a smart way to re-enter education.

Shawn recalls that first year as an opportunity to build both academic and social skills. “It was a place to reinvent myself… I wanted to be more outgoing, and I got to meet a lot of people and make some great friends.”

He also appreciated how his teachers balanced encouragement with honesty. Shawn recently sent this message to academic upgrading instructor, Sheryl Heikel, who taught his physics courses:

“I recall that year being told time and time again that, statistically, the odds were against us, but those words were always followed by encouragement to keep going and pursue our dreams.”

Shawn says Sheryl really prepared him for the study ahead. 

“She made the course hard, but in a good way. It made me think critically, which was so important.”

Sheryl remembers Shawn as highly motivated, a key factor in making upgrading work. Students who return to upgrade have to work really hard, she says. “We can’t say it will be easy,” she notes, but instructors can focus on what’s possible. Sheryl says she was on a high for weeks after hearing from Shawn, delighted he took the time to share what he’s achieved.

Upgrading accomplished, Shawn then completed the first year of his science degree at NWP. “I was glued to one little cubicle in the back of the library,” he laughs, buckling down to transfer to the University of Alberta.

“You’re not just a number,” Shawn reflects about his time at NWP. He feels that small class sizes and personal support helped prepare him for the studies that followed. This includes a Bachelor of Science with honours in physics, and a Master of Science in physics, including a thesis titled “Studies on Radioactive Background Mitigation for the PICO-500 Dark Matter Search Experiment.”

Shawn is currently putting his degrees to good use as a radiation safety consultant with a company serving the oilfield. He and his partner of four years met at NWP (another reason to thank the school, he notes), and will soon be first-time homeowners.

Looking back at his decision to upgrade, Shawn feels perseverance is key. “I’m not a super-talented physicist. But I’m determined to succeed.”

His email to Sheryl combines gratitude and inspiration for anyone returning to school. “I just wanted to thank you for the encouragement and show that those who start their academic journey later in life can still achieve these goals!”