How this City of Toronto employee upgraded her skill set with our professional master's diploma program

Did you know that Ryerson offers a condensed master’s diploma designed to hone your skills in different fields of the energy sector? Developed by the Centre for Urban Energy, the Professional Master’s Diploma in Energy and Innovation (PMDip) is ideal for those who want to pursue any number of careers in the energy sector, such as officer, technician or analyst. We sat down recently with Catherine Cook, a research analyst with the City of Toronto’s environment and energy division and a graduate of the program, to find out more about how it helped her in her professional life. She completed the program in fall 2017.

Q: How did you find out about the PMDip?

A: I actually found out about it through a pop-up ad on Facebook. I was working as a contractor for the City and had been looking for a post-graduate program that I could do relatively quickly to gain some more applicable skills. I have an undergrad from University of Toronto in environmental management and I wanted to upgrade my skills. Energy seemed like a good lateral move that could broaden my skill set. I applied and started in September of 2016 and finished in October 2017.

Q: What attracted you to Ryerson’s program over others?

A: It was the energy piece of it. I took a break from work after having my third child, and in 2014 I got re-hired by the city. I became really interested in energy-related projects that were happening around me, and wanted to add to a skill set I already had that wasn’t the most up-to-date.

Q: What did you like best about the PMDip?

A: Initially, I liked that it was quick and cheaper than doing a full masters. I was looking for something that could give me the “M” behind my name that wasn’t going to cost me a crazy amount.  I also liked how “real-world people” from the industry taught the classes, like Gary Thompson from Toronto Hydro and Jayesh Shah from Oshawa Power.

Q: How has it helped you in your professional life thus far?

A: This [kind of program] didn’t even exist ten years ago, so the diploma is really cutting-edge. Having a master’s in this area really compliments the undergraduate degree I already have, but I wouldn’t have gotten the job I have now had I not taken this diploma program. What I learned is directly applicable to what I do at the City now, like how to reduce the carbon footprint of many of the buildings in downtown.