Fred Schumann CIM CD
Facilities Manager
Craigwood Youth Services
What are your three key strengths?
Organizational skills for managing multiple projects at different geographical sites
Communicating with all parties for transparency between Senior Management, Front Line Staff and contractors from inception to completion for a smooth flow of the project
Responsibile and committed to meet or exceed the initial design and target dates
Reason for taking course/program?
Upon retiring from the Military as a career I found that all the knowledge and skills I had acquired was not tangible for me in the outside world. For me it meant returning to post secondary education to enhance what I presently knew and to acquire new skills and knowledge to not only substantiate my level of education for the position that I held, but more so for the advancement of my career in managerial roles.
What three adjectives would you use to describe the course/program?
Inspiring
Challenging
Rewarding
What stands out about what you have learned?
I have learned that by taking continuing studies I have been able to take control of my career to advance and secure employment opportunities that at one time were beyond my reach. For me it was and still is a self assessment of what I can accomplish that has enabled me to be successful in my profession and in my personal life.
How are you using what you have learned, and what difference is it making in your professional and personal life?
I have radically changed on how I approach Operations and Capital projects from the first conversation with the vested shareholders, the complete process of work being accomplished, and to ensure transparency with communications for the day to day business or for in progress projects.
There is always the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, but then there are those days that just go supernova with an awesome feeling of success.
Personally it has given me the opportunity to be part of a National Organization for the past 11 years and to be elected the President of the London Branch of Canadian Institute of Management (CIM) on the 21st of April 2011. It is a very humbling experience to have your peers regards you with such reverence and confidence for your leadership and management skills that will directly impact their branches success.
How would you describe your experience at Continuing Studies?
The first day of every course is like attending any new organization, seminar, and conference – sheer anxiety. Then the ice breaker of two weeks of school then transitioning to what a great group of people that I am accompanied with in this endeavor I have chosen. In a classroom setting the synergy for sharing with others professional and person experiences on the subject material compounds your leaning curve an knowledge of the material.
How was the experience of going back to school as an adult learner?
I have been attending evening classes for some time now and it has become more so a part of who I am for my pursuit of knowledge. I find it very rewarding to exchange ideas, to be part of a group of like minded individuals whom want more out of life, to learn from others experiences - whether successful or as a failure to learn from.
Compared to other courses you may have taken elsewhere (other schools, in-house training), what makes Continuing Studies different?
It is the recognition and an inherent understanding of the high level of knowledge and skills that you have successfully acquired by attending a globally recognized educational institute.
|
