Biography
John has聽worked with non-profits for the entirety of his adult life, initially in a role mentoring youth and assisting refugees to assimilate into US culture. For the past 12 years, John has worked聽in Public Safety, Training and Emergency Management.聽 John is currently Sergeant - Events and Emergency Management at CU Boulder and earned an ME and graduate certificate from the Engineering Management Program.
Q&A
What made you decide to pursue a degree or certificate in Engineering Management?
I have studied leadership in formal and informal settings for many years. I took courses in my undergraduate and graduate studies, I am constantly seeking personal growth in the area of leadership through current and classic books and articles. After completing the Graduate Certificate in Leadership & Management, I was so pleased with the faculty, courses, and fairly close to earning the degree, I decided to continue in the Program.
Why did you choose the Engineering Management Program at CU Boulder?
I attended a presentation provided for my department by one of the faculty in the Program. They were helping us navigate some pretty intense issues within our organization. Toward the conclusion of the presentation, they discussed the benefit of our leadership team completing the Leadership & Management Graduate Certificate. I was sold, the next semester I enrolled in the Program, completed the certificate program and decided to continue in the Program to complete the full Master's program.
How did the program help you in your career?
The EMP has helped me in my current career by providing me countless tools for personal and professional organization, communication, leadership, and valuing building a supportive environment for my team.
What was your favorite graduate EMEN class/professor? Why?
Finance Management with Dr. Kirschling. This course impacted the way I thought about budget, finance, personal investments, and made an immediate and profound impact on my financial goals and retirement.
What advice would you give a new student in the program?
Make each course count. Find ways you can implement the principles and lessons learned in your everyday life, wether this is at home, school, work. The application allows you to personally interact with and practice the theory. In doing this, you will find the credibility in the Program and the instructors who lead you along the way.
How would you summarize your experience with the program?聽
I had a great experience. I was very impressed with the knowledge, experience, capabilities, and humility of all of the faculty who made and make the Program such a rich and enjoyable experience for the students. The conversations, discussion, and dialogue make for an incredible learning opportunity.