Side by side to the finish line

The power of friendship can move mountains—and it carried mature students and lifelong friends Deanna Jones [BAAdv/2026] and Laura Taylor [BAAdv/2026] to the University of Manitoba, through their studies and into the next chapter of their careers and lives. Jones and Taylor, both psychology majors, have been side by side since their first day of university. In spring 2026, they will walk the convocation stage together, sharing the joy.

Before attending university, the two friends each had more than 15 years of experience as Education Assistants. “We became friends while working at the same school,” said Jones.

We can do it, together

It wasn’t until Jones’s son began university that she started considering post-secondary education for herself. “After his first year, my son was dealing with some mental health challenges. I began exploring the university system to see what supports were available for him,” she said. “At some point, I thought—what better way to navigate university than by becoming a student myself?” One major question was whether university would be affordable for her as a single mom, until she used the UM student calculator and discovered the grants available, giving her the green light. Once she made her decision, she was determined to bring Taylor, also a single mother, along on the journey. “I went into the staff room at work one day and told Laura, ‘I’m going to university, and you’re coming with me!’” she recalled. The two soon found themselves using their breaks to sit in their school’s theatre and register for classes.

Degree experiences open eyes and change minds

They began their studies with different career goals in mind: Jones planned to become a teacher, while Taylor aimed to pursue social work. By the end of their degree, however, they had “swapped” career paths. After noticing the Faculty of Arts Co-op Program on the UM website, Taylor decided to pursue co-op to diversify her resumé beyond her work as an Education Assistant. Her first work term at Turning Leaf Support Services was a great experience that also helped her realize where her true passion lies. “I had an amazing time, but I quickly realized I missed being in the school,” she said. “Rather than working one-on-one with students, I love being surrounded by 30 kids at a time.” That realization led her to change course, setting her sights on education instead of social work.

Something different prompted Jones’ shift in her career goals. “As an EA with so many years of experience, becoming a teacher seemed like a natural fit,” she said. “But after taking the course Indigenous Peoples in Canada in my first term, I decided to make Indigenous studies my minor. As I got deeper into my studies, my eyes opened more and more to the colonization of systems and structures in Canada. I felt called to help people on a more societal level. Her studies also motivated Jones to explore her heritage more deeply, including uncovering Indigenous roots through her mother, who was adopted as a child. She says taking Indigenous language classes “felt like a homecoming.”

Why not add an exchange into the mix?

Attending university and pursuing a mid-life career change was only part of the dreams Jones and Taylor shared. The two had also planned to attend a summer exchange program in Sweden together, but when Jones’s mother’s health declined, she had to cancel her trip. Jones encouraged Taylor to go on her own—and she did, embarking on her first ever trip across the ocean. It became the experience of a lifetime. “Going without Deanna, I was worried the other students, who were significantly younger than me, would not accept me,” said Taylor. “I ended up finding friends for life from all over the world.” Three years later, she is still in touch with many of the friends she made during her exchange, and they make an effort to visit one another each year. While Jones didn’t get to go on the exchange, she still feels she was part of Taylor’s experience. “Laura has a magical way of including me, even when I’m not there,” she said. “In the stories she shares, she never presents it as just her experience, she makes you feel like you were there in spirit.”

The power of friendship

The power of their friendship extends beyond shared career aspirations, interests and life circumstances. It’s rooted in their constant support for one another, even when they are not physically together. Although they were in the same program at UM, and even shared some classes, their schedules often differed, meaning they did not spend much time together in the classroom. “We purposely spent our downtime together, exchanging ideas from class and working through challenges,” said Jones. Outside of their studies, they enjoy working out, travelling and going on adventures together. The two support each other through the joys and challenges of life—from caring for a sick parent, through navigating their kids’ struggles, to spontaneous camping trips. Their friendship is rooted in sharing life’s ups and downs together.

More education in their future

In the future, Jones hopes to contribute meaningfully to the decolonization and Indigenization of education and correctional systems, using the performing arts to build cultural connection and support healing. She has been accepted into UM's Master of Social Work – Indigenous Knowledge program. Taylor, meanwhile, has been accepted into UM's Bachelor of Education program.

Their journey together will not end with their undergraduate graduation. Taylor also hopes to work within the correctional system. “We always find ourselves together,” said Jones. “We hope one day to work at the same institution. I’ll be the social worker, and Laura will teach.”

The two friends have an encouraging message for students of all ages—whether prospective or graduating: “Don’t discount your life experience. It is some of the most important learning you have done—and will ever do. Trust the wisdom it brings.” Taylor adds: “Ask yourself, Why can’t I go back to school in my 40s? Why can’t I study abroad? Why can’t I run a 5K? There’s no harm in trying. Even if you change course, you’ll learn whether something isn’t for you—or that you need support to keep going.”