Sharmaine Lim
Master of Organizational Management, Class of 2022
Sharmaine Lim is a spring 2022 graduate from Crandall’s Master of Organizational Management program. Originally from the Philippines, Sharmaine chose Crandall because she was intrigued by the thought of obtaining higher education in a year’s worth of study. “Time is of the essence for me,” Sharmaine explains, “and being a slightly more mature student, I was really aiming for just one year of study.” Sharmaine was interested in the Master of Organizational Management in particular because of the course outline: “it seemed to fit someone who wants to aim for management roles in the future.”
Once enrolled in the program, Sharmaine was delighted to discover that it was everything she was hoping for: “The program is well thought out. It’s organized in such a way that the lectures are practical and can be applied to life in the workforce.” Recognizing the importance of leadership and critical thinking, professors assign papers and presentations that challenge students to use their past work experience as examples and evaluate the ways in which they can be stronger, more effective leaders.
Sharmaine also noted another plus: her program’s diversity: “Having classmates from different industries and cultures helped me improve my communication skills, which is important even just in day to day life!”
While Sharmaine’s feelings about the program were clear, she expressed that the people involved are what truly made it what it was. “Moving to a new country and studying for a Master’s degree are both difficult adjustments to make, but Erin Bateman made both of those things significantly easier for me with all of her help and constant advice for newcomers.”
Professor Don Moore was also noteworthy in Sharmaine’s time as a student with his affinity for bringing guest speakers into the classroom: “Not only was it helpful being exposed to great leaders and listening to their personal experience in management, but it also allowed us to network with local business people and expanding local businesses.”
Now that Sharmaine has officially graduated, she has obtained a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) and is working on acquiring her permanent resident status while awaiting feedback from the Government of New Brunswick for the provincial nominee program (PNP). Since graduating, Sharmaine has had several job offers, but ultimately accepted an analyst role at TD Bank Group, where she has now been working for five months. Within her role, Sharmaine handles margin call exposure, collaterals, derivative transactions and trade capture for bonds in the United States market. She is eager to put her leadership skills to good use training new hires.
Looking ahead, the future seems bright for Sharmaine. She is eager to work towards a management role in order to effect change in existing management styles. She also has plans to utilize her patisserie diploma to develop a pastry business on the side, and she even has a YouTube channel where she shares about her experiences as a Filipino settling in Moncton. “I want to help show aspiring students and immigrants what it’s like to adjust to living in Canada to help prepare them if they’re interested in coming here too. I wish to expand my videos so that people can be encouraged to move here and study at Crandall University!”
