School

I enjoyed my time in school, and still continue to take courses to this day.

From 1997-2004, I completed a part-time engineering degree from the University of Guelph's School of Engineering (Guelph, Ontario Canada). At the time, I completed the first two years full-time, but then dropped down to part-time so I could work while completing my studies. By the end of it, I was the proud holder of an electrical engineering degree and a minor in computer science.

In 2007, I briefly re-enrolled in the UofG so I could continue working on a B.A. in History. I find history interesting, and had taken several history courses when I was completing my original engineering degree. Finishing up the History degree is still on my to-do list - last time I checked I only have about 3 or 4 courses left to finish it up.

It was in 2010, I took a certificate program in Project Management from the University of Waterloo. This was then followed by getting my PMP (project management professional) designation.

Since then I have taken numerous short courses and still take personal interest courses from time to time. Most recently, I am now working on my French language proficiency as I now work for Montreal-based company. I have been enjoying practicing my French during my various visits to headquarters in Montreal. Je parle un petit peu de français... I continue to work at it.

I do look forward to taking some more formal French language training in the next year or two. I do still also mull the idea around of doing part-time Masters. Time will tell.

Most recently, I was given the opportunity to go to "train school" to learn how to become a fully qualified (backup) freight train conductor by my employer CN. It consisted of 5 weeks of classroom/field training in Winnipeg, approx. 40 hours of web-based training, and numerous exams both written and practical. This was then followed by 16 training trips with real train crews, and a 5.5 hour hands-on pratical evaluation at CN's MacMillan Yard (the second largest rail yard in Canada). This has been a fantastic opportunity learn about what freight train crews do, and been a major asset as I develop CN's OT cybersecurity strategy.

From the other direction, I also some teaching. I have been teaching part-time at the college and university level since 2017. This has included McMaster University, Fleming College, Mohawk College and Conestoga College. As of 2023, I have now taught the engineering law and ethics night course at McMaster University's Faculty of Engineering a total of 11 times. Currently I teach the course during the Winter and Summer Semesters - I don't teach in the fall. I really enjoy teaching and how it complements what I do for my day job.

Note: The photo of me on the right is from one of my freight train "training trips" in November 2022. Though we had a clear sky that day, it was very cold. Many thanks again to the highly-skilled train crew I had the privilege of learning from that day. The locomotive pictured is an EMD GP9RM (approx. 1800HP diesel-electric), which along with 2 other engines, was pulling the regularly scheduled CN L568 freight train out of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada as part of a 12-hour local switching assignment between Kitchener, Stratford and London.