“SCS supported me when I needed it most, and now I have a career I love. One day, I want to give back and financially contribute to the bursary program at SCS, so other learners can have the same life-changing experience that I did, regardless of their financial challenges.” - Charles Musa, SCS learner
For Charles Musa, continuing education not only helped him launch a new career, but it provided him with motivation and focus during a challenging time. When the financial company he was working for closed their Toronto office, Charles found himself laid off, and faced with the daunting but exciting opportunity to re-assess his career. “In late 2019, I Iost my job, and had to decide what I wanted to do next. It was time for a career change, and to get back to my marketing research roots. To ease this transition, I started pursuing a Marketing Research Certificate at the School of Continuing Studies (SCS),” recalls Charles. “I had just begun my learning when COVID hit, making the job market even harder to navigate, especially for someone trying to return to an industry after many years away. My finances were affected, so I knew I needed to find ways to support my learning.”
Charles explored funding opportunities at SCS. He applied for -and received- the School of Continuing Studies Bursary. “The funds allowed me to continue my learning. I was both excited and relieved to receive this support,” says Charles. “It was a very anxious time for me, and being able to continue my studies boosted my confidence as I searched for a job. Studying gave me a plan, and something positive and productive to focus on.”
In May 2020, while working towards his certificate, Charles landed an interview at Numeris, a Canadian audience measurement organization. “The knowledge I gained at SCS was critical in how I performed in that interview. It just so happened that in one of my classes, we had discussed Numeris in a conversation around brand equity,” he recalls. “I brought this knowledge up to the interviewer, and they were impressed by how timely and relevant my comments were. I got the job, and now I am back in the market research industry.”
The skills Charles learned at SCS have also impacted his entrepreneurial spirit. “I’ve always been passionate about market research, and studying at SCS inspired me to take a business plan I had in my head, and make it a reality,” explains Charles. “I started an ecommerce business, World of Daily Essentials, at the end of 2020, using the marketing research abilities I gained in class. I also have greater confidence in my capacity to implement plans based on smart market data. Having this business makes me feel empowered both personally and financially.”
As Charles completes his certificate, he is grateful for the support he received from SCS, and is eager to grow into a management role in the market research industry. “Continuing education can only help; it can only advance your career. There is truly nothing to lose,” says Charles. “SCS supported me when I needed it most, and now I have a career I love. One day, I want to give back and financially contribute to the bursary program at SCS, so other learners can have the same life-changing experience that I did, regardless of their financial challenges.”