After 10 years as a chef, I’m changing careers to better support my family

July 29, 2026

Shannen Fernando Arshakulasuriya’s life has taken her around the world. She’s lived in Europe, Asia and Australia.

In 2025, she embarked on her longest journey yet: relocating to Canada. This meant restarting her career as a chef in a new country, where she soon realized that she was ready for something else.

Looking for a new field where she could redeploy her skills in hospitality and customer service, Ms. Arshakulasuriya landed on the airline industry and Seneca’s Flight Services certificate program.

She discusses her Seneca Polytechnic experience, what it was like to return to school in her 30s and how working as a chef was the perfect preparation for her new career.