Kerri Gilders
Certificate for Emerging Leaders
The first time Kerri Gilders' manager asked her to supervise a team she hesitated with her answer because she didn't feel qualified to manage people.
"I was a scientist with no leadership training. I had only technical skills."
On the urging of her manager, Kerri, who already had bachelor's and master's degrees in science, went looking for a program that could give her the people skills she needed to be a team leader for the midstream oil and gas company that employed her.
"When I was searching training programs, I found the Certificate in Emerging Leaders and felt it was the most applicable to me," says Kerri. "I started with more general topics, and then as I progressed through the program, I could choose the individual courses I needed most. I now have a diverse toolkit and have resources and skills to effectively manage people."
Today, Kerri is working as a team leader, supervising five people.
In all, it took her five years to complete the program requirements - longer than most students, but then, she had to fit in two maternity-leave breaks along the way. She enjoyed the content, the instructors and her fellow students.
"The Certificate in Emerging Leaders was a great program for me," says Kerri. "The instructors had excellent life experience and consulting backgrounds, so they had much to offer in discussions and provided resources that I continue to use. They were always very prepared and had answers to everyone's questions ... they offered great insights."
"You learned from the students too," she says. "Exposure to such a diverse group of people was fun and interesting. The classroom was a great snapshot of society.
"Continuing Education is ideal for people like me, who want to advance and need flexible access to programs. That is important for people who are working."