When Teresa Colon began searching for a master’s program, she knew
one thing: she wanted to become a better-rounded professional. Her
work experience, Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification,
and leadership in project management gave her the business
knowledge she needed; now she wanted the education and skills to
complement them.
After serving as president of the South Florida Chapter of the Project
Management Institute (PMI), she had several contacts who offered
guidance on programs that might be right for her. One colleague
recommended Capella.
“He told me about their specializations in education, and it intrigued
me,” she recalls. “I gave Capella a call, and everyone was very helpful.
I guess you could say the rest is history.”
Deepening knowledge, growing confidence
Colon enrolled in Capella’s Training and Performance Improvement
specialization and began applying her new insights almost immediately.
“Before I began my master’s program, I would approach a problem as a
consultant and instantly suggest training or technology as the answer,”
Colon says. “What I began learning in my courses allowed me to
develop solutions that were founded in theory. I felt more confident in
my recommendations and began seeing better results because of it.”
“I’m becoming a better professional before even completing the
degree,” she adds. “The ability to instantly apply the skills and have an
immediate impact is really beneficial.”
Enabling the pursuit of a new passion
Currently, Colon works as project manager for a local school board.
She continues her leadership with PMI by chairing one of their virtual
chapters, the Information Systems Specific Interest Group. She also
teaches continuing education courses at a local university, and hopes
her master’s degree will expand her opportunities in education.
“Teaching is a passion for me,” she says. “The same way I enjoy learning
things that I can turn around and use, I like helping others do the
same. I believe my master’s degree from Capella will help me continue
pursuing this passion.”