I chose the University of Ottawa to pursue my online MEM degree because the program offers the most options in terms of specializations, i.e. four modules in a wide variety of fields. Since I live in Ottawa, I liked the idea of being in the same city as the university I attend so I could have access to campus and academic services.
The University of Ottawa was also my first choice because of the reputation of the Telfer School of Management. I know that a degree from a high ranking school will open more doors for me and provide me with the necessary confidence to pursue my professional goals.
“The program is tailored for working professionals”
Finally, the online MEM program offered by uOttawa was the program that best suited my busy schedule as a full time worker. The program is tailored for working professionals, with courses offered in the evening, and professors are aware of the balance their students are working hard to maintain between their careers and studies. Since all the other students are also experienced professionals, I looked forward to learning from them.
I prefer an online version of the program to avoid the commute and save time. There are multiple resources available to recreate an in-person environment. I can communicate almost instantly with my classmates and professors although many of us are spread across Canada. This is also one of the things I love about being part of an online program, having the opportunity to attend class and network with other working professionals based elsewhere in the country and with various backgrounds and experiences.
“I love the online environment because it facilitates my work-study balance”
As a full-time employee with the federal government, I love the online environment because it facilitates my work-study balance. I can save precious hours for work or study that I would have to spend on commuting to campus. I can easily arrange last-minute meetings with colleagues and professors, and online resources are easily accessible .
I applied to this program first with the hope of gaining essential management skills. During my engineering bachelor’s degree, I was never introduced to business or finance, so I was looking forward to learning more about these fields. In other words, I am hoping to develop the knowledge I already have and become a stronger asset in my field as both an expert in software engineering and management.
"I am hoping to develop the knowledge I already have"
I expect this degree to shape me into a skilled leader and grant me the confidence to pursue my ambitions to one day become a CEO. I anticipate completing this degree with all the necessary tools and knowledge to prepare me for a leadership position as well as a strong network of fellow engineers and leaders.
Now that I am completing my second semester in the program, I can already see myself applying the knowledge I have gained from the courses I took in my future career in engineering management. Every week, I feel more inspired by my professors, by my peers, and by the reading material I am provided with. Not only am I learning a lot of valuable information, I am also learning more about myself and my growing qualities as a leader.
“I feel more inspired by my professors, and my peers”
What I like best about uOttawa's online MEM program are the specialized modules. I am very happy about the program’s offering of four different streams for the students to choose from. I feel that the program is tailored to the students’ needs and aspirations and provides them with the necessary flexibility and variety to get the most out of the program and become the leaders they want to be in the field that suits them best. Not only do we have four modules to choose from, we can also take courses from more than one module and gain experience and insight from an array of domains.
I chose to follow the modules of data analytics and advanced project management because I see myself excelling in both domains. The courses offered in these two modules also fit my career goals as I can make connections between the material I learn in all of them. Finally, I like that I have the opportunity to connect with like-minded people who have the same professional goals as I do.
“I know that my feedback is taken into consideration and that success matters”
I find that working with a dedicated student advisor has had a very positive impact on my educational experience. I am extremely grateful to receive regular phone calls from my advisor and know that I can be open about my experience as a mature student with someone who truly cares. I know that my feedback is taken into consideration and that success matters. The student advisor has made my experience in this program very different from the one I remember from my undergraduate degree. I feel supported and I feel heard.
