Olesya started her career in human resources in 2009 at the Marriott Hotel, where she gained extensive hands-on experience in different areas including recruitment, employee relations and training.
She was also looking for an educational opportunity to structure her knowledge and keep growing as an HR professional. She researched options and chose the PACE Human Resource Management Diploma.
“This was a very intense and challenging program that required a lot of efforts and time”, says Olesya. “However, it was worth it. The program covers a variety of areas within human resource management, providing information on the most recent HR trends and best HR practices. The instructors are experienced industry professionals, who are passionate about their disciplines and willing to share their knowledge and experience.”
While still a student, Olesya was placed at Investors Group as an intern. Before she completed her internship, she was offered a position where she coordinates recruitment activities and provides support and assistance with day-to-day operations of the HR functions. The PACE program also prepared her to pass the National Knowledge Exam, which is a formal step to attain the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.
“I was very happy with my decision to take the Human Resource Management Diploma program and recommend it to everyone interested in starting or pursuing their career in human resources.”
After graduating from the University of Winnipeg in 2006 with my Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, I knew that I would need to specialize in a specific area in order to remain competitive and set myself apart from the hundreds of other graduates. Fortunately, during my undergraduate studies, I realized my passion for Human Resources. This led me to enroll in PACE's Human Resource Management Diploma program in 2007.
The PACE program featured courses and workshops that covered all facets of the Human Resources field, allowing me to gain an excellent understanding of Human Resources. This proved to be truly beneficial as it prepared me for the tests I needed to complete to earn my Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.
Not only did the PACE program successfully prepare me to obtain my CPHR designation, but it also provided me with a relevant internship opportunity in the HR field, to help build my portfolio. The one-month internship led me to my first permanent position as a Human Resources Consultant at DASCH Inc., a not-for-profit organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. During my four years at DASCH, I gained valuable experience in recruitment and selection, performance management and employee relations.
I am currently employed as a Human Resources Advisor at Price Industries. In this position I am exposed to a variety of areas, including: labour relations; recruitment and selection; performance management; and employee relations.
I believe that these opportunities would not have been possible had I not completed the Human Resource Management Diploma in PACE, which led to my successful career as an HR professional.
I worked in the travel industry for 10 years prior to going back to university. I owned my own travel business for 7 years and then worked as a Business Development Manager for a leading travel company for 3 years. Due to the declining economy positions were cut and mine was one of them. At that moment what I thought was a misfortune became my biggest blessing.
Why did you choose PACE?
When applying for jobs I was being overlooked because I did not have an education to complement my professional experience. The U of W PACE Human Resource program was appealing to me because I was able to complete the program in one accelerated year. This time frame would allow me to get back into the work force as soon as possible without a significant gap in my resume. The U of W is a respectable university and holds credibility with employers worldwide.
What were some memorable experiences at PACE?
The people would definitely be the most memorable part of the program. The administrative staff was very helpful. They listened to your cares and concerns and bettered the program where they could.
The instructors were subject matter experts in their field allowing you to benefit from their knowledge. They taught in a manner that allowed you to put real world experience together with text book learning. They truly cared about you, your education, and where your credentials would take you after graduation. Many teachers are still mentors and coaches to their past students, helping them grow and develop in their careers.
Besides my education, my peers were one of the best things to come out of the program. I have maintained many relationships that I know will continue to develop. Now that we are all in the workforce they have helped me embrace the world of Human Resources and are there with recommendations when dealing with difficult situations.
Why would you recommend PACE?
Next to a degree in business, it is the highest level of education you can achieve in Human Resources and gives you an advantage in the employment search. The program works at a pace that allows you to move forward with your career in a reasonable time frame.
They have a great internship program that provides work experience opportunities once you have completed your education. In my case I was brought on by The City of Steinbach for my internship and offered a Human Resource Assistant position upon completion. Since that time I have been promoted to Human Resource & Payroll Manager.
How did PACE aid you in your career/personal goals?
It gave me the education that I needed alongside my experience to achieve my career goals. The program also provided the basics for my payroll designation, and I recently completed my Certified Payroll Management (CPM) designation with Canadian Payroll Association. I am now working towards achieving my Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.
Lisa Lange Senior Manager, Human Resources & Payroll City of Steinbach
Kate Hudson graduated from PACE’s Human Resources Development program. Prior to PACE, Hudson worked at a local retailer right out of high school. She came to PACE and completed the full-time accelerated program to explore the field of human resources.
“I picked PACE because I was very interested in the field of Human Resources,” said Hudson. “I figured if I took the nine-month accelerated program I would get a real feel for what human resources was all about. Turns out I loved it!”
Hudson is currently the Recruitment Manager for NYGARD International: a leading fashion company in North America that designs and markets women's fashion apparel. She recruits for all of the corporate offices including Winnipeg, Toronto and New York as well as some overseas recruitment as the needs arise.
“PACE definitely helped build a solid foundation to start my career by giving me a broad scope and educational understanding of all aspects of human resources,” explained Hudson. “By dabbling in everything (human resources related) I was able to really hone in on what fields I enjoyed the most. I really enjoyed the diverse student group work as well the variety of courses I got to study. The work practicum was also a great component. Getting real world experience allowed me to apply the knowledge into hands on work experience.”
Kate Hudson Director, Human Resouces Pollard Banknote Limited
Two days after writing my last university exam, I began working in the accounting department for a large company in downtown Winnipeg. After nearly two years, I found myself feeling unhappy and unfulfilled in my chosen field. I began questioning my career choice, and met with a close friend working in Human Resources to discuss my next career move. We spoke about my areas of interest, such as teaching, training, and the CPHR designation. My curiosity was piqued, and I began researching Human Resources programs. I found the full-time Human Resource Management Diploma Program at The University of Winnipeg and registered.
With no previous experience or education in Human Resources, I dived right into. I knew I wanted to build a solid educational background, and make connections with as many students, instructors, and other individuals in the field, as possible. The internship at the end of the program gave me valuable experience I could add to my resume, and led me to a second internship. In the fall, I responded to a post on LinkedIn for a recent Human Resources graduate to work temporarily in a Human Resources department. I jumped at the opportunity, and within a few days was place at Wawanesa Insurance. I spent five weeks at Wawanesa completing an employee personnel filing project and assisted with a couple additional projects. From there, a permanent Human Resources Assistant position became available. I went through the recruitment process and at the end was the successful candidate. My experience at Wawanesa gave me the opportunity to work on key Human Resources initiatives and projects, while supporting the Human Resources team in a variety of capacities.
In January 2013 I achieved the CHRP designation, and I am currently working at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) as a Human Resources Coordinator. My role at the CMHR will give me the opportunity to continue to grow and develop my skills in Human Resources, while at the same time being part of a unique national project that comes once in a life time. Sadia is now working for Google in London, UK.
Sadia Hashmi Senior Human Resources Business Partner AlayaCare
Rachel O’Connor graduated in June of 2015 from the full-time Human Resources Management Diploma program having already secured a position at Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).
“PACE basically led me right into my career,” she says. “I found interesting, stimulating employment" three weeks into an internship she was completing for the program.
Before coming to PACE, Rachel was working in the non-profit sector.
“I’d always worked in people-oriented jobs, and I wasn’t satisfied,” she ssays. Rachel found out about PACE’s program by talking to HR professionals who were PACE grads, and quickly determined it was a perfect fit.
Rachel says she benefitted from the “great instructors” at PACE and formed close relationships with her classmates. She also found the curriculum was relevant and useful.
“It gave me an overall good foundation of a lot of different areas of business. Coming into MPI, they were speaking a new language in some cases, especially with a lot of project management terminology. If I hadn’t taken the project management course I wouldn’t have been as familiar right off the bat.”
Prior to enrolling at PACE, Thomas Estante was working in an inclusion support program in a child care centre, but he knew that he wanted to widen his skill set, and find work in a school setting.
“PACE helped me by giving me the tools of the trade—how to become a better educator in the school system,” says Estante. “They not only have real life situations given as examples but it was also a very visual and hands-on type of learning.”
Estante says the program came recommended by a friend, and he when he learned more, he discovered the flexible nature of the part-time program made it manageable with his schedule.
In his current job as an educational assistant with the Winnipeg School Division, Estante spends his mornings working one-on-one with a child who needs support and guidance with school work, and his afternoons with a group of students who are learning English as an additional language. “I thoroughly enjoy teaching them,” he says. “And helping them become more confident in their English skills, and their reading comprehension.”
Thomas Estante Speech and Language Educator Winnipeg School Division
Areej Tahboub is using the opportunities she received in PACE to help provide opportunities for others.
Areej arrived in Canada in 2013 and began working as a substitute educational assistant with Louis Riel School Division. Despite prior work as a teacher in her home country of Jordan, Areej found she lacked experience working with students who have learning disabilities. That, coupled with a desire to learn more about the Canadian school system, led her to seek out the advice of colleagues, who recommended she enroll in PACE’s Educational Assistant program.
Areej appreciated the engaging and accessible approach of her instructors, who often used interactive presentations and one-on-one instruction in place of traditional lectures. She found the most rewarding aspect of the program to be the practicum, which allowed her to translate the theoretical knowledge she gained into practical experience.
Areej gained from the program a better understanding of behaviour management and crisis intervention, and the staff at Louis Riel School Division has noticed her increased confidence when working with students. Her new skillset is also helping her prepare classroom projects and teaching materials.
Building on the lessons she’s learned at PACE, Tahboub now plans to further her education and become a full-time teacher.
I am a graduate of the Educational Assistant Diploma Program offered through the University of Winnipeg. I think one of the best features of this program is the instructors and staff. It was obvious that they really wanted to see their students succeed and worked hard to bring out our talents and confidence. The environment at the Buhler Centre was positive and inspiring. I liked that the program offered a practicum in my school division. It was instrumental in securing a job once I had finished the program. I started out in Nursery/Kindergarten at my practicum school immediately after completing the diploma program and thoroughly loved working with the little ones. However, always one to push myself, I received numerous phone calls to substitute at a high school level. I was hesitant at first, but I now realize that it was their height that intimidated me. I am now enjoying my second year at Kelvin High School and I've never been happier! I love working in the Winnipeg School Division where I have made lasting friendships with other staff within the division.
I knew I needed to make a change in my life for me and my son and to continue my education was the only way to make that happen. Following in the footsteps of my mother and sister-in-law, I chose to become an EA after seeing what a rewarding career it was for them. As a single mom, the Educational Assistant Diploma Program was a perfect fit for me! The program schedule worked well with daycare and I still had enough quality time to spend with my son at the end of each day. I am so grateful to everyone who supported me, at home and at The University of Winnipeg and would like to thank them for my success!
Nanci Potton Educational Assistant/Child Care Assistant Winnipeg School Division
As a recent graduate of the Educational Assistant Diploma Program it is extremely satisfying to apply what I learned in class to a school environment. I am currently working for the Winnipeg School Division, at École Sacré-Coeur and École Robert H. Smith, as an EA level B and C respectively. Having worked in daycare prior to attending the University I discovered both my passion for working with children, and the responsibility that we as adults have to nurture children to realize their fullest potential. I chose the University of Winnipeg as it has high academic standards, and its EA program is well respected by school divisions in the city. The courses have helped me to understand the numerous ways in which individuals think and learn, and therefore how best to modify my own approach to suit each child with whom I work. I have also learned invaluable tools to aid children who have learning disabilities, behavioural difficulties, as well as those who are physically, mentally, and/or emotionally challenged. In a classroom setting there are a multitude of different needs and as an EA I have the daily satisfaction of providing support to both teachers and students. I go home at the end of the day feeling that I have made a positive impact in the lives of others, and that I have truly made a difference... I can’t think of a greater reward for having chosen this challenging yet exciting new career path!
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