For Attila Kovacs, lifelong learning isn’t just a philosophy – it’s a way of life. A proud Durham College alum, he has a sticker on his laptop with a quote from writer Isaac Asimov: “Education is not something you can finish.”

He has shared that mindset with his children and all three are following in his footsteps at DC, each pursuing their own dreams.

Originally from Hungary, Attila holds a high school teaching diploma and a mechanical engineering degree. A few years ago, after moving to Grafton and finding his commute of more than an hour and a half for his job as a tool designer far too long, he decided to pursue a new career path.

Inspired by his wife, a nurse for three decades, he opted for the weekend-delivery Practical Nursing – Flex Program at DC, graduating in 2021.

“I worked during the week and studied on the weekends,” he explained, adding the flexibility allowed him to support his family while studying. “I was commuting to work from Grafton to Scarborough, so it was on the way home from work on Friday evenings, I would just stop at the Oshawa campus and then went back on Saturdays and Sundays.”

After graduating, he enrolled in the RPN to RN Bridging program at Ontario Tech University and is due to complete his Bachelor of Science in Nursing this spring, all while working at two long-term care facilities in Cobourg and Port Hope.

“The college nursing program is hands-on and patient-centred, focused on bedside care,” said Attila. “They taught us how to perform procedures so I really liked that.”

He’s an example for his kids, who are all finding their own career paths at DC.

Matthew is in his second year in the Welding Engineering Technician program, Adam is in his first year of Culinary Management, and Szandra is a first-year Paramedic student.

Szandra entered the paramedic program directly from high school and says that the best thing about being a DC student is the tight-knit community that developed in the program and how people really help each other.

“I really like the lab space here too,” said Szandra. “Durham College is the only college that has a 24-hour lab space, so I can go and practice scenarios at midnight if I wanted to, as long as I have my friends with me.”

Adam is also a first-year student, but took a gap year after high school. He said he decided to pursue a culinary career because he always enjoyed helping his parents in the kitchen. He participated in the culinary Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) in high school, so he was familiar with DC’s kitchens.

He said the teachers are the best part of his program.

“I can learn so much from all of them. They’re all wonderful chefs who have worked in the industry and that’s how people learn—having someone teach you who has gone through it.”

Matthew is due to graduate from the welding program this spring. He got a chance to try welding at his father’s former job on Take Your Kid to Work Day and it’s something that remained at the back of his mind. As an adult, he likes that his trade is in demand in many different industries.

“I really like that with one skill set, there are so many different directions I can take things,” he said, adding that his favourite part of the program is working hands-on and practicing in the weld shop at the Whitby campus.

“Our teachers encourage us to try and see what works for us, they give us direction on a good place to start—although welding is joining two metals together, there’s more than one way to make that happen, so you need to find a way that works for you and will be effective as well.”

All three students say they take inspiration from seeing both their parents continue on a path of lifelong learning.

“My dad is going to school and improving his life and our lives, it’s shown me it’s worth it, and you have to work for success,” said Adam.