July 31st 2024.
The year was 2012 when Darrell Pope came to a realization that he needed to make a change. As the manager of an electronics manufacturing company called Celestica, he could see that the industry was rapidly evolving and he needed to acquire additional skills in order to keep up. Pope recalls, "I could sense the changing economy. My expertise was limited to traditional brick and mortar practices, but I noticed that many manufacturers were moving their operations overseas. It was a clear sign that I needed to adapt or I would risk losing my job."
With this realization, Pope knew that he needed to broaden his perspective beyond his regional view and understand how business was conducted in other cultures. He understood that staying updated with the constantly evolving global environment was crucial for his career success, regardless of his age. "In today's world, things are always changing. You have to stay on top of technological advancements and understand people's perspectives, which are different now compared to 20 years ago," he explains.
In 2009, Pope made the decision to return to school after receiving his secondary degree at Kaplan University. At the age of 50, he was determined to expand his skills and knowledge. "I felt a surge of energy from the new skills I acquired and the access to understand new technology, such as working virtually and sharing information with partners worldwide through the Internet," he shares.
However, balancing a full-time job, frequent travels, studying, and family responsibilities was no easy feat for Pope. He recollects, "My wife would often complain that all I did was work and study. I was working 50 hours a week and dedicating 20 hours to my studies. It was a challenging juggling act, but I learned a lot about time management during that time. I learned that you can achieve anything in life as long as you allocate enough time for it."
Through Kaplan's virtual classes, Pope was able to complete his master's degree in science and management in just two years. In today's competitive job market, many individuals find themselves being pushed aside by younger and more educated professionals. Pope believes that fear and the reluctance to showcase one's lack of knowledge may be the reason why some people are hesitant to go back to school. However, his experience at Kaplan kept him motivated and constantly learning. "I appreciated the structure of the program, where I was given a syllabus with clear expectations. I knew that if I met those expectations, I would do well. This taught me the importance of having expectations in any relationship and the positive outcomes that can result from meeting them," he explains.
When asked about his advice for those considering going back to school, Pope simply says, "Just do it. It may be challenging, but you will learn so much about yourself and become a lifelong learner." He believes that continuing education is key to staying relevant and competitive in today's constantly evolving world.
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