Skip to the content of the web site.

 

Student Testimonial


Photograph - Nick HoustonAfter more than 27 years in the telecommunications and IT world, I became another statistic during the downturn in the economy. I had extensive experience in the full software lifecycle, from R&D, requirements development, operational support and finally the development of an enterprise business architecture. After searching for a new position for several months from Toronto to Niagara Falls to Waterloo, I realized that my software skills needed bolstering with project management skills.


In January, I decided to rebrand myself as a Project Manager. I enrolled in the Project Management Certification course at the University of Waterloo. Over several months, I took several courses that led to the certification and I am fully prepared to write my PMP® certification exam this year.

Paul Bergman and Keith Farndale were excellent instructors. Their years of experience in Project Management and their obvious enthusiasm for communicating their knowledge made the courses educational and enjoyable. The success of the Project Management Certification program at the University was in large part to their instruction. The program's facilities and flexibility and the people at the University Professional Development department made the process convenient and enriching.

This course led directly to several interviews and two job offers (on the same day!). I accepted a position as Project Manager with the City of Hamilton. I will be responsible for implementing and launching a new transit card for Hamilton over the next 12-14 months. This is a full time position, which will require working with the transit companies between Hamilton and Durham, OC Transpo in Ottawa, GO Transit and the provincial ministry. This is a long term role, with opportunities to evolve IT infrastructure for Hamilton's transit division.

I highly recommend the University of Waterloo’s Project Management Certification program. Through this program I have honed old skills and learned new ones and I am starting a new career as a Project Manager.

Sincerely,

Nick Houston
I.T. Professional

Last updated by Webmaster on December 21, 2012