Sinead Hickman is originally from Whitehorse, Yukon, but moved to Alberta as a teenager. She currently resides in Red Deer with her two young children and her husband whom she credits for allowing her to achieve her educational goals. She has been an AU student off and on for the past decade and is in her final courses toward her degree in Criminal Justice.
Why did you choose to study at AU?
I finished my policing diploma from Lethbridge College and was hired with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) right away. I wanted to continue my education and Athabasca accepted my full two years towards my current degree.
What courses have you completed so far that you would recommend to other students?
I LOVED Ethical Decision Making in Law Enforcement (CRJS 490) and Victims of Crime (CRJS 352). Those two are by far my favourites.
I know you mentioned being a student on and off for the last ten years at AU, what are the improvements you have noticed as you work through your courses?
I have noticed that I learned how to take notes and study more efficiently. I used to copy out so much more than I needed to. Now it’s highlighting and rewriting just the minimum.
What are your academic goals for 2018?
I hope to graduate! Finishing my classes with the highest marks possible early in the year and graduating would make this a perfect 2018. I would LOVE to hang my degree on the wall before Christmas.
What are you hoping to do with your education from AU?
I am hoping to get a promotion within the RCMP. I am also hoping to go on to a Master’s program in Criminology and maybe law school after that.
What is one thing on your bucket list that you would like to complete in 2018?
I would love to take a road trip to Victoria with my husband and kids to meet my half-sister. We speak often, but we just recently reconnected so I haven’t meet here.
If you were to get a tattoo to symbolize your life, what would it be?
It would be my children’s names in some sort of cool design.
What was your favorite memory from 2017?
Having my son. He is nine months old now.
What is it like to juggle two young children with school?
Hard! I couldn’t manage both school and family without my husband. He has supported and sacrificed so much for me to be able to follow my dreams. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.
What is one thing you started doing in 2017 that you want to do more of in 2018?
I started walking more. We also started asking our daughter what her favourite part of each day was. It is nice to remember the good things that happen, even if your day was a little crummy.
Best movie you saw in 2017?
Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
What movie are you are excited to see in 2018?
A Wrinkle in Time
If you didn’t have to worry about time or money, what would you be doing today?
I would forever be a student!! I love to learn and grow as a person. I honestly believe it is never too late in life to go back to school or start a new career. Life would be so boring without education and learning.
