As documented by Asong Abelt Leke.
My name is Asong Leke, and I am currently working as a Risk Advisor at the Canadian Red Cross in the Emergency Management domain. With a background in Social Work and experience in various fields such as program management, child protection, and international relations, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Development Studies & Diplomacy at the University for Peace, United Nations. However, to further enhance my skills in humanitarian project management and drive my career growth in the right direction, I enrolled myself in the Project Management program in collaboration with UMass Amherst from Simplilearn.
Enrollment Decision and Career Goals:
The decision to take this course was driven by my belief that project management expertise would be instrumental in my role and enable me to contribute more effectively to humanitarian projects. After completing the program, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on new projects within my organization. I found the course content to be well-structured and comprehensive, and the live projects provided valuable hands-on experience. The practice labs were particularly insightful, allowing me to apply my knowledge in real-world scenarios. The faculty members were knowledgeable and provided diverse perspectives and insights, enriching my learning experience. In terms of my long-term career goal, I aspire to advance to a leadership position and take on greater responsibilities to make a meaningful contribution to the welfare of the world.
My overall professional journey has been centered around project management, child protection, and international relations. Over the past 2 years and 5 months, I have worked with esteemed organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and McMan Youth Family, Community Services Association, among others. In addition to managing projects and programs, I also handle various aspects including risk management, refugee protection, diplomacy, conflict management, climate change, peace and social justice, strategic planning, and capacity building.