Monika Toro Serrano
Certificate in Professional Management – Professional Engineers and Geoscientists
When Monika Toro Serrano decided to advance her career from her position as a mechanical engineer with an oil and gas company to a project engineer and manager, she decided it would be wise to develop her management skills.
Having earned a Bachelor's degree in Engineering in Ecuador, and a Master of Science in Applied Mechanics with Finite Elements specialization in Canada, Monika was well trained technically.
"As an engineer, I had the technical knowledge I needed, but I saw a need for the soft skills," says Monika, a recent graduate of the Certificate in Professional Management - Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (PEG). "Once I started taking courses with Continuing Education for a better understanding of management, I realized that I enjoyed management and wanted more of it in my career."
Now, working as a project engineer and manager, Monika must look at the bigger picture in her projects.
"As a project manager, I plan the whole project," she says. "I rely on my 15 years of technical experience combined with the knowledge I've gained in the PEG certificate through courses in project management, conflict management, and communication skills."
"The Certificate in Professional Management - PEG is definitely a good program for engineers," says Monika. "As engineers, we are taught to focus on the project, but if you also have management responsibilities, this program will teach you the soft skills you need to make your team happy and productive."
Monika chose to take all of her courses in-class. "I felt the interaction and networking was important in helping me reach my goals," she explains.