How do you stay relevant, re-establish or start your career?

“I learn on the job every day but earning this micro-certificate told me I am still capable of learning in the traditional sense,” says the UM alum who completed his BSc in Computer Science in 2002. “I was thinking about going back to school but I shuddered at the idea. I didn’t think I could handle it. I saw this program as an investment in myself and my future.”

Working at Bell MTS, a company facing considerable downsizing in recent years, and planning to retire in a few years, he says, “Our team across Canada was shrinking. I wanted to stay relevant.”

His job as a senior technology specialist involves maintaining Bell Fibe TV from Manitoba to Atlantic Canada at a time when many are moving to streaming services. The program’s introductory course helped him to understand how technology being used in his work to look at data and spot underlying issues (anomaly detection) worked. The last course deepened his understanding of large language models (LLM), to refine his prompt design for AI like Chat GPT in order to get the best results. 

“The AI program provided me with theoretical knowledge of Machine Learning. I knew of it but this conveyed all that and reminded me of my computer science education 20 years ago. It turned my curiosity in AI into a genuine interest. It sparked a deeper engagement with the field.”

Recently, Baccus attended the 2026 Knight Lecture with Geoffrey Hinton, “Godfather of AI”, and connected with Tech Manitoba.

He definitely recommends going back to school to take a program with Extended Education. “There is a strong sense of credibility with the university and it was such a positive experience. The instructors had industry experience and a gift for teaching. I appreciated how they kept current. I am also impressed by the other programs and courses offered. If you are looking for upskilling, look at Extended Education offerings and find something that fits.”

To anyone considering going back to school, he says, “Don’t be afraid to take the plunge. Dedicate enough time to prepare for each step. For me, in order to get the most out of the program, I made sure to do a little every day. Take 15 or 30 minutes and log in. Read. Check the discussions. Every day, I kept it in my head.”

With plans to re-establish her career and support her fellow Ukrainian newcomers, Petruchek learned English with UM and discovered Extended Education, choosing the Certificate in Applied Counselling. Now she is graduating with her certificate.

“I feel a great sense of pride. This is a major milestone in establishing my life here in Canada,” she says. “I met my online classmates for the first time in real life at Empowering Excellence and we shared in our success together. If scheduling allows, I will attend graduation,” she says.

Petruchek will attend the UM graduate program in Pediatrics, with research specializing in mental health. She plans to get her medical license.

“This program provided a foundation for that. It provided exceptional foundational knowledge for my future career program. It gave me exceptional practical skills in counselling and a deeper understanding of Canadian culture. It helped me to start building my career here.”

Petruchek says UM Extended Education is the best way to gain new adaptable skills to prepare for professional careers.

“Don’t hesitate. Give it a try. You will find benefits one hundred percent,” she says. “It’s so beneficial for future careers.”

“I was searching for options to grow my career and I chose this,” she says. “My bachelor’s degree gave me the concepts but I did not know how to apply them to the real world. It gave me not only the theory but I also learned how to deal with practical situations. I think I lacked the skills and real-world insights.”

Once she completes the required Canadian work experience, Kaur plans to return to UM and earn her MBA. She would like to work in an accounting firm, earn her CPA, and move into management.

“I like to play with numbers. I like problem solving and balance sheets. I don’t get bored.”

Her love of accounting was nurtured during her studies. In her introduction to finance course, she learned the fundamentals. She appreciated her instructor’s way of encouraging her to “think outside the box”. In her corporate accounting course, she learned about mortgages and investments, and discovered the financial calculator and how to use it.

“These courses made me think about what I wanted in my career. I improved my problem-solving skills. Now I think more critically. I more confidently communicate my ideas,” she says.

“It was a great experience of learning at Extended Education. University of Manitoba is a great campus. I am really going to miss it. I look forward to coming back.”