College of the Rockies Alumna Finds Success by Following Her True Path
Sometimes it is the setbacks, not the successes, that point us toward where we’re truly meant to be.
Natalie Panattoni knows this well. Her original plan was to pursue the College’s East Kootenay Teacher Education (Bachelor of Education) program, but that path shifted when she was unsuccessful in one of the prerequisite courses.
“I found high school easy, so I didn’t have a great study ethic,” she admits. “After crying about not passing, I re-enrolled in the course along with an accounting class. That accounting course was a game changer—I switched my focus from education to business immediately.”
Natalie went on to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Practices at College of the Rockies, graduating in 2017. While she initially chose the College for its affordability and proximity to home, she soon discovered the flexibility of online courses to be the real advantage.
“As I progressed through my degree, I took more of my classes online since I was also working,” she explains. “That flexibility not only supported me through my studies, but also prepared me for the CPA program, which is entirely online.”
Since graduation, Natalie has built a successful career with BDO Canada in Cranbrook, where she has worked since 2017. The journey wasn’t without challenges—she failed part of the rigorous CPA Common Final Exam (which has a first-time pass rate of less than 55%), but perseverance paid off. She rewrote the exam and officially earned her CPA designation in December 2020.
Now, along with her spouse and two dogs, Natalie has returned to Cranbrook and is tackling a large-scale renovation project at home—an undertaking that mirrors her resilience and determination in education and career.
Through it all, Natalie credits the College with giving her the foundation she needed:
“The College is a great place to start, for so many reasons. Maybe you want to stay at home and take advantage of the affordable tuition and cost of living. Maybe you and your friends want to rent a house together, or you’re a parent upgrading courses. COTR is so flexible—you can stay for a degree, transfer to another institution, or extend your post-secondary education.”
Looking back, she values not just her successes, but also the struggles along the way:
“I cannot tell you how much failing at things has taught me to both be humble and to persevere.”