“I chose PACE as courses offered perfectly complements industry requirements while prepping students for the challenges ahead,” says Adrian James Menezes, who earned his Project Management Diploma from UWinnipeg PACE in 2017. Adrian had previously earned an Associate Degree in Specialized Business Management from Penn Foster College in Pennsylvania, USA.

Adrian is a Senior Manager in the Project Management Office at Cormer Group Industries Inc. In his work he oversees projects which supply the Aerospace and Defense industries with precision machine products.

“My previous work experience along with the PACE experience created the perfect environment to prepare me for the challenges and opportunities in my workplace,” he says.

Adrian says his experience was set apart by amazing instructors who provided an in-depth perspective with their own experiences, the diversity of his classmates, an affordable program, and the caring staff team who are always willing to listen and assist.

 “Having an outstanding faculty who care and being able to obtain invaluable feedback from students and alumni make PACE programs sought after,” says Adrian who has a few words of advice for new students.

“Prepare to be dedicated, focused, and put all your attention on your program, the results will speak for itself, and provide you the ability to face any challenge that comes along.”

Adrian James Menezes
Founder, President & CEO
AJM Canadian Immigration & Citizenship Services Inc. and IT'S ONLY HONEY INC.

In today's fast-paced digital media landscape, staying ahead of the curve is essential for professionals in the communications industry. Andrea Danelak, a writer and social media enthusiast, discovered the power of UWinnipeg PACE to enhance her skills and propel her career forward. We touched base with Andrea to find out how PACE played a role in her journey.

Before continuing her education with the Digital & Social Media Marketing Certificate at PACE, Andrea had earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UWinnipeg and the Diploma in Creative Communications from Red River Polytech as part of a joint program. However, recognizing the ever-changing nature of the industry, she sought to expand her knowledge and expertise in digital and social media marketing.

“The communications industry is always evolving, and I wanted to brush up on my digital and social media marketing skills,” says Andrea. “I loved my time at The University of Winnipeg in the mid-2000s, so I researched its program offerings in the industry. Because I was working full-time at the time, PACE offered exactly the type of part-time program I was looking for.”

Andrea says the diverse mix of students with varying levels of experience and backgrounds created a blend of perspectives and experiences, fostering an environment of collaboration and shared learning.

“I loved how PACE brought together people with varying levels of experience and backgrounds. Some had never worked in a marketing role, whereas others (like me!) were going back to school to enhance their existing skill set,” she says.

For those considering a PACE program, Andrea advises making the most of the experience.

“Participate in class discussions, ask questions of the instructors, follow up on resources referenced in class and brainstorm with your fellow students,” she says.

Although it had been over a decade since Andrea last attended school, she says it’s there is not limit limit to invest in one's education and professional growth.

“It’s never too late to go back to school to further your skill set,” she says.  “I was a little nervous since I hadn’t been in school for over a decade, but enrolling in PACE proved to be the best decision for me in terms of my career progression.”

Armed with the skills developed during her program, she felt ready to leave her full-time communications job and start her own venture in April 2022, where she offers a range of writing and social media management services.

“PACE gave me the confidence to branch off on my own and pursue freelancing ’full-time’ with the skill set I acquired—and I am happier than I’ve ever been!” says Andrea.

As a freelance writer and social media manager, Andrea showcases her versatility and passion for marketing. She handles diverse projects, including blog posts, web copy, and annual reports, applying her writing prowess across various mediums. Additionally, she offers social media services, creating engaging content and managing clients' accounts across different industries.

Andrea attributes her smooth transition into freelancing full-time to her PACE experience. The program equipped her with the necessary skills to excel in social media management.

“PACE provided me with the skills I needed to pursue social media as a service offering. Coupled with my existing skill set and knowledge of marketing strategy, I felt prepared to dive in feet-first,” she says.

“Choosing PACE was a wonderful decision for me. I’ve met so many remarkable people—from fellow students to instructors to guest speakers—and learned so much through my journey. One of my former instructors even hired me to work with some of her social media and digital marketing clients!”

Andrea Danelak
Freelance Writer & Social Media Manager
Andrea Danelak Writing Services

“PACE changed my life for the better in so many ways,” says Heather Barry, who earned her Management Certificate from UWinnipeg PACE in December of 2019. She completed the Project Management Fundamentals course as an elective in the Management Certificate program and says that course helped guide her down a new path.

“It was obvious to me immediately that I found my realm,” she says. Heather returned to PACE and earned her Applied Project Management Certificate in 2022. “It’s an amazing program that opens up lots of opportunities.”

“Before PACE, my personal goal was to be a Manager by the time I was 40,” says Heather. “With the knowledge that I have gained from the courses I took at PACE, I have changed my goal to be a great leader and the manager title will come.”

Heather is the Northern Division Coordinator for Matrix Lumber, a locally-owned and operated building supply center in Headingley. The department she works in manages construction projects for Northern communities.

“Both of my certifications have prepared me to manage the operational change in a project management environment,” says Heather. “I understand the needs and goals of the project managers, project coordinators, management, and support staff.   With the project knowledge that I gained at PACE, I can create processes that work for the industry.”

Heather says her advice to others pursuing studies at PACE is that study techniques matter and that they are also translatable to your work life.

“Study in small manageable chunks. For example, if you are going to be sitting in a doctor’s office waiting room, bring a text book with you and learn while you wait. I do this with work tasks now that seem to be too large to handle.”

Heather Barry
Northern Division Coordinator/Project Manager
Matix Lumber

“I chose PACE because it felt like the perfect choice for continuing education,” says Aseem Attrey, who graduated from the Advanced Business Management program at UWinnipeg PACE in 2021.

Aseem’s cohort completed their entire program online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I loved interacting with my classmates and the instructors, I learned a lot from them and made some lifelong friends, despite not getting to be on campus,” he says.

Prior to studying at PACE, Aseem earned a Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University and a Diploma in International Business Operations from Indira Gandhi National Open University in India.

“Advanced Business Management is one of the best programs to choose. It teaches you so many different aspects of business, from accounting to project management and even adaptive leadership,” says Aseem.

Aseem works in Accounting Services at Trevello, a Canadian leader in travel industry marketing and support services. He says his experience at PACE helped prepare him for the Canadian workplace.

“PACE gave me a head start in the Canadian corporate world and helped me to understand Canadian work culture,” says Aseem. “Additionally, the University is very well recognized among the employers here.”

Aseem says his experience at PACE taught him a lot about teamwork, which has helped him in his workplace.

“I would say that my most valuable lesson was how to work in teams and how to be a good listener and respect your team’s opinion even when you disagree with them. PACE has helped me be a good team player.”

“Taking this program was a great decision and I ended up being successful in my dreams and building so many good relationships,” says Aseem.

Aseem Attrey
Membership and Engagement Specialist
Manitoba Trucking Association

“This program will give you the tools you need to be successful in the communication industry but it’s up to you to use those tools to build a great future,” says Sonny Primolo, a graduate of the Public Relations, Marketing and Strategic Communication Diploma program at UWinnipeg PACE and valedictorian of his class in 2017.

Sonny started his career as Communications Assistant at The Winnipeg Foundation after completing an internship with Winnipeg Airport Authority. After a year at the Foundation, he was promoted to his current role as a Communications Advisor.

“PACE provided me with such a wide range of skills and abilities to do my job effectively,” he says. “The Winnipeg Foundation works with hundreds of inspiring grantees and donors My PACE experience has provided me with a wide range of skills to honour and share inspiring stories from our amazing community.”

From producing advertisements and marketing material, writing articles for print, to hosting BeCause Radio, the  Winnipeg Foundation’s radio show on CJNU 93.7FM, Sonny puts what he learned at PACE to work every day as Communications Advisor at The Winnipeg Foundation.

“Many of the projects at PACE were group oriented which has helped me to work effectively with many different individuals. This is invaluable when working closely with my colleagues, other organizations, and people in our community.”

Sonny Primolo
Communications Advisor
The Winnipeg Foundation

“The fact that PACE offered an accelerated program really caught my eye,” says Stacie Ritchie, who says she didn’t want to spend years sitting in a classroom. “I did quite a bit of research and found that PACE had an extremely high success rate which really made this choice easy for me.”
 
With a background in hospitality and tourism management, Stacie was looking to make her next career move into human resource management. She graduated with a Human Resource Management Diploma from UWinnipeg PACE in 2018 and was able to quickly secure a position as Human Resources Administrator at CWB National Leasing.

“We are a growing company so I wear many different hats,” she says. Some of her responsibilities include facilitating orientations and onboarding initiatives for new hires, overseeing service awards, assisting with recruitment processes and collaborating with others in the organization and across the country, among other tasks.

 “I am so thankful for PACE as I have landed my dream job right out of school, learned a lot and made some lifelong friends along the way,” she says. Stacie says the real-life scenarios that each instructor brought to the classroom helped prepare her for her role.

“We were able to learn from their experiences and get a better feel of the industry we were getting into. The instructors also helped prepare us for what HR professionals are looking for when hiring.”

“The HR industry is growing and there will always be a need for it. You will be pulled in multiple directions all with deadlines you need to meet. I feel confident in completing tasks in my current role thanks to PACE.”

Stacie Ritchie
Human Resources Specialist, Health and Wellness
Payworks Payroll Services Canada