“I’ve learned to systematize my approach to auditing and produce efficient reports…I know my skills are going to really support my team and expand my impact on my company.” - Karine Lachapelle
After serving for 18 years as a Canadian Armed Forces Officer specializing in intelligence and strategic risk analysis, Karine Lachapelle had gained extensive experience in risk management and global affairs; throughout her career, she served and supported deployments to the Baltics, Africa, Afghanistan, and NATO headquarters in Belgium. Upon retiring from the Armed Forces in 2016, she began working for a global gold mining company as their Senior Manager, Risk and Assurance. Her new role involved performing audits - a skill that was relatively new to Karine - and she wanted to up her game. Karine chose to pursue an Internal Auditing Certificate at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) to enhance her abilities and support her team.
“I was determined to better understand the audit process and apply it in my daily work,” recalls Karine. “I wanted to gain credibility with my peers, and was excited to learn new skills. Being in the Armed Forces means you have to be open to constant learning and new experiences. I was a bit unsure about the demands of an in-class experience, but it was great because I really got to know my classmates and grow relationships. I was working full time, commuting, and dealing with the demands of daily life, but I really enjoyed coming to SCS, participating and building my confidence. The final course was online as a result of the pandemic, which was also a great learning experience. I felt very supported by my instructor.”
Karine appreciated the clear class structure and real-life auditing examples provided by her instructors. She especially appreciated instructor Jason Yarmolinsky’s sense of humour and knowledge. “He created such a fun learning environment, which really made a difference on cold dark November evenings,” she reflects. Now that she has earned her certificate, Karine is eager to use her new skills to craft and implement an audit plan and schedule for 2021. “My new abilities are helping me plan, interview, pull and assess information, and execute an audit. I’ve learned how to systematize my approach to auditing and produce efficient reports,” she says. “I know my skills are going to really support my team and expand my impact on my company.”
Reflecting on her time at SCS, Karine refutes the notion that learning becomes more challenging as we age. “I think learning as an adult is easier than as a teen or young adult! When you start learning again, even if you know nothing about the topic or material, as an adult you’ve accumulated time management, organizational, and adaptability skills that can help you succeed,” she says. “My professional experience has made me a more efficient learner. If you’re motivated and committed, you’re golden!”