CNA felt like home
Some careers follow a straight path. Others take unexpected turns, opening doors to new experiences before bringing people back to where they started.
For Lauren St. Croix, College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Interim Director of Work Integrated Learning (WIL), returning to the college felt like returning to a place that had always been part of who she was.
Her journey with CNA began early in her career, stepping into a role that would shape her perspective on student success and ultimately influence the leader she would become.
“I originally joined the college as an student development officer in my first post-graduate job,” Lauren said. “I spent five years at Clarenville campus and also supported Bonavista campus.”
She cherished the chance to work directly with students and become part of a community.
“I was so excited for the opportunity to work with college students. I had moved to Clarenville on my own, and the campus really became my support system.”
Like many career journeys, hers eventually led elsewhere.
Lauren left CNA and relocated to St. John’s to pursue opportunities in learning and development with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. During her time away, she continued building experiences that strengthened her connection to workforce development and helping people succeed.
She also spent time working with the Office of the Auditor General, where she gained a broader understanding of public service and its impact.
“That experience taught me a lot about truly providing value to the people of our province,” she said, noting she was able to support new graduates as they transitioned into the workforce, reinforcing how important workforce development is to her.
Even while following her career elsewhere, CNA remained in the back of her mind.
“I always felt like eventually I would end up back at CNA. The mission and values of the organization have always been very near and dear to my heart.”
When the opportunity emerged to return, this time in a leadership role, the decision felt natural.
“It felt like a match made in heaven. WIL is something I’m very passionate about, and I saw it as a chance to make an impact on a larger scale with students.”
She says WIL creates some of the most transformative moments in a student’s educational journey. It connects students with hands-on experiences that bridge classroom learning and real-world application, helping them gain confidence and prepare for their next steps.
“WIL builds student confidence in a totally different way than anything else,” she said. “Seeing how our work helps take students from student to professional, that’s what keeps me motivated.”
For Lauren, the value of WIL extends beyond developing technical skills. She recalls seeing entire classes complete work experiences with major organizations and then transition directly into employment.
“Some of our employer partners have taken entire classes for work experiences and then hired the whole class afterward. Watching students move into the workforce through those opportunities is incredibly rewarding.”
Those outcomes, she says, are only possible because of the relationships CNA builds with employers and industry partners.
“Our students have so much to offer, and our employers match that every day. They create meaningful real-world learning opportunities and continue welcoming students back year after year.”
Her experience working directly with students earlier in her career continues to shape how she approaches leadership today.
“Being on the front line with students influences the way I lead. It’s essential to remember that, at the end of the day, students are always the number one priority.”
Returning to CNA also gave her a renewed appreciation for the culture that exists across the college.
“You realize how special CNA is when you step away and return,” she explained. “Our culture is unlike any other. Supporting student success has been especially fulfilling. It’s a feeling that’s hard to find anywhere else.”
She’s also been struck by how much the college has evolved.
“I’m always amazed by the progress that’s been made in just a few years. Whether that’s the growth of the CNA Foundation, new positions that support employees, or innovative new programs, there’s so much momentum.”
One of the most meaningful parts of coming back has been reconnecting with colleagues.
“The most rewarding thing has been reconnecting with so many people I worked with . Everyone has been so positive and excited to collaborate again. For me, it feels like the song: you’ll always find your way back home. Coming back to CNA has felt like returning to a place I’ve always belonged.”
And for anyone considering a new direction in their own career journey, her advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to dream a new dream. Careers are rarely linear. Take the opportunity to try something new or return to a workplace that you love.”
