Grads in Profile: Chris Sciberras

As a school counsellor for an Outreach School for Christ the Redeemer School Division in southern Alberta, Chris Sciberras works with students whose learning needs require a different approach than those provided in a traditional school setting.

“Supporting individuals during challenging times is one of the most rewarding and privileged jobs I could imagine says the Werklund School of Education Master of Counselling (MC) student, “and working on the Outreach School program has affirmed that I am in a vocation I could see myself involved in for the foreseeable future."

Sciberras, who is originally from Australia, clearly enjoys supporting young people. And he says that’s something he’s known for most of his life.  “Growing up, I knew I wanted to work with youth,” he explains, “so when I started applying for my undergraduate degree, I applied for teaching and counselling at the same time and was accepted into the counselling program.” 

Now Sciberras has moved to the next step—the pursuit of a graduate degree so that he can grow both personally and professionally.  “Having a Master’s degree can open so many opportunities in the future,” he says.  “I hope one day my degree will lead me to working in a supervisory role in my school division for the family school liaison program.”

The Werklund MC is taken mostly online, with Sciberras and his cohort coming together for a short period in the summer months for intensive, face-to-face learning on campus. He says the ability to retain a full time job was an important aspect of his decision to apply to the Werklund School.

“This program allows me to focus on school work any time of the day and at my pace,” he says. 

“Sometimes when I know I have lots of deadlines approaching, I can work ahead in the course load so that I don’t reach burnout.”

But Sciberras says it’s more than that. 

“The Werklund School of Education and the University of Calgary both have a reputation, not just nationally, but also internationally,” he explains.  “As an international student, it was important for me to attend a university in which my credentials would be recognized if I decided to work in other countries.”

“Choosing Werklund has been a great decision for me, as the courses and professors have helped me accelerate my professional development in such a small amount of time.”

“The program has provided me with the tools and resources to move closer to my personal and professional goals.”