Stacey McArthur

Certificate in Professional Management—Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (2010)

When Stacey McArthur, a mechanical engineer and University of Calgary alumnus, set out to gain some business and management skills to complement her technical expertise, she knew she had to find a program that offered flexibility. The program had to fit her life.

At first, she had considered an MBA program, but ruled it out because it would require a full-time commitment. Looking for a program she could pursue on a part-time basis, she turned to Continuing Education and chose the Certificate in Professional Management—Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists, a stream that is only available to members of A.P.E.G.A.

While working towards her certificate, Stacey continued to work full-time, eventually changing companies and moving into a role that fit the new skill set she was developing. She also got married; and had two children, now school-age.

From the start, Stacey had planned to complete her program at a slow pace. In the end, it took approximately ten years. "I saw other students taking two—even three—courses at a time, but I knew that approach wasn't right for me," she says. "I really appreciated the ability to complete the program on my schedule."

"I also liked that I could choose courses that related to my work as I needed them. For example, at one point I was working on an acquisition and didn't know the financial side of that process, so I chose to take an accounting course. It was very helpful."

When Stacey first started taking courses, online options were limited. As more offerings came available, she took advantage of the flexibility of online. "I'm more of a classroom person usually, but at times my life demanded online."

When Stacey looks back, she can see the effects of her program. "It's given me a lot of self awareness," she says. "It's helped with navigation in my career and actually led me to the realization that I wasn't working in the right area for me...It helped me discover my strengths and passions."

While Stacey says her experience with Cont Ed was "generally fantastic...with great instructors and well-focused course content," she remembers one of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the other students. "There was such a variety of people from different industries, and yet they all faced the same issues. I found that so interesting. The discussions were always so helpful."

Read more stories