Education

4 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019 At The University of Winnipeg, our mission is to grow leaders through a well-rounded educational experience that develops critical- thinking skills with hands-on involvement. More than ever, today's youth require a varied skillset before entering the modern workforce. When UWinnipeg students graduate, they are able to think creatively, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds — serving them well not only today, but in the future. This results from an educational path that only begins with attending classes. A key emphasis of the UWinnipeg experience is work-integrated learning, which includes co-operative work placements, internships, practicums, and field research, to name a few. These opportunities ensure students put their skills, knowledge, and abilities to use in a way that complements their education, while also learning how businesses and industries keep pace with rapid change. By remaining agile, responsive, and relevant, we're positioned to adjust quickly when the demands of the job market, economy, and global workplace evolve. Nearly 50 per cent of our students benefit from work-integrated learning over the course of their studies. Our goal is to increase that number in the coming years by developing more partnerships with employers across the city, province, and country. UWinnipeg's Professional, Applied, and Continuing Education (PACE) programs are great examples of how in-class and work-integrated learning come together effectively. Led by practising professionals, PACE programming is always at the cutting edge of industry standards, ensuring student success by developing skills that employers value. For example, the new Advanced Certificate in People Management, developed in partnership with People First HR Services to advance the human resource skills of established leaders, is offered in a unique small classroom format that provides participants the opportunity to apply key learning back in their work environments. Two new UWinnipeg graduate studies programs taking a similar approach are the Master in Management (MiM) and the Master of Arts in Applied Economics (MAE), both in the Faculty of Business and Education. MiM was developed through a unique collaborative effort involving industry and the University's Department of Business and Administration. This one-of-a-kind program specializes in technology, innovation, and operations — ensuring students are equipped to address the challenges and opportunities facing organizations in all sectors. Shelly Plett, Director of Solutions at 24-7 Intouch, was part of the first cohort of graduates from the program. After finishing undergraduate studies, she moved into a role with 24-7 Intouch and has been there for five years. It was during her master's studies when she really started climbing the corporate ladder. "I've actually moved into a director-level role with the company, and I attribute that success directly to the confidence and perspectives I gained through this program," Plett said. "The class size of cohorts starting each year is small enough that it allows for one-on-ones with the instructors and bonding among classmates." The Master of Arts in Applied Economics program caters to the growing demand of public, private, and non-governmental sectors looking for economists with strong analytical skills and practical knowledge in the area of policy analysis. Students who take this program learn how economics informs policy in a wide range of fields, including regulation, health care, environmental policy, poverty, labour issues, and finance. UWinnipeg alumna Kaitlyn McEachran became interested in the field after excelling in an introductory economics course. She graduated with a four-year Bachelor of Arts in economics before taking the Master of Arts in Environmental, Resource, and Development Economics (which was the previous iteration of the new MAE program). After earning her master's degree, she began working for the federal government and is now a Socioeconomic Information Analyst at Employment and Social Development Canada in Edmonton. In this role, she analyzes the labour market with a current focus on Alberta's Indigenous population and the transitioning energy sector. "I spent my entire post-secondary career at The University of Winnipeg, and I cannot overstate the impact it has had on me. The Faculty of Business and Economics — especially the master's program — prepares students for life after university. Professors push students to understand the material so comprehensively that they can explain it in simple language, which is key to success in employment, especially in the public sector. The small class sizes give students one-on-one time with professors and the opportunity to gain meaningful experience by instructing lab sessions or a practicum placement." If you're interested in the Master in Management or the Master of Arts in Applied Economics programs, visit uwinnipeg.ca to learn more. The application deadline is Feb. 1 for studies beginning in August 2020. ❚ UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG DEVELOPING THE SKILLS EMPLOYERS VALUE The University of Winnipeg prepares students for the jobs of today and tomorrow More than ever, today's youth require a varied skillset before entering the modern workforce. Since earning her master's degree at the University of Winnipeg, Kaitlyn McEachran (far left) has become a Socioeconomic Information Analyst at Employment and Social Development Canada. Shelly Plett (immediate left), now Director of Solutions at 24-7 Intouch, was part of the first cohort of graduates from the Master in Management program at UWinnipeg. Photos © The University of Winnipeg

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