The Beginning of ECM

My name is Peter Jones and I am an ECM Candidate for 2009! I will be one of your avid bloggers throughout this program.

I was very excited when the program started; orientation was informative and I got to meet all the wonderful people I was going to spend the next 8 months with. There are a lot of really smart people in this program with lot of different backgrounds. This has created a group with many diversified skills sets that can feed off each other.

We started our classes and immediately I knew we were in for a learning adventure of a lifetime. The classes are intense and driven; student preparation is needed. But they are also fun and you know you are getting those skills needed to be a good and effective manager. The teachers are brilliant and very helpful (one even shows up an hour early to answer questions).

The cohort is also very involved with the Career Centre and students work one-on-one with the ECM Career Manager, John Horn, to develop their resume and their opportunities. John is very helpful and very enthusiastic towards getting us the best job possible. Also, 2-3 times a week employers come on campus to inform us about career opportunities. These are catered events and are good opportunities to get information on desired employment.

There is also a lot to do at UBC: peers have already organised a volleyball team and we are creating a boat race team! It seems everywhere I go there is a free Barbeque. Even though I am from Vancouver, I am still discovering new places such as Wreck Beach, just a 10 minute walk from campus.

I know this program will open doors and opportunities that I had never thought of before. There is just so much going on and so much involvement. I am truly thankful to be a part of this new and exciting program.