News

Masters graduate marks milestone
Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Aquaculture professional, Sheldon George has proven that no one is ever too old to learn.

The 38 year old feed and fish health manager at Cooke Aquaculture recently marked a milestone as the first graduate of the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Master in Technology Management (Aquaculture) Program.

Through four back-to-back semesters, George completed the program in remarkable time while juggling work, business travel and family time with his wife and three children.

“This program has allowed me to improve my portfolio and advance my career development,” said George. “The flexibility of an online program appealed to my busy lifestyle.”

The program provides a core of technology and business management courses in conjunction with elective options which allow for opportunities to focus on specific areas.

Cyr Couturier, research scientist at MI’s Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development, chair of Aquaculture Programs at Memorial University and currently executive director of the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association mentored George along the way.

“Sheldon was a natural fit for our global, online management program in aquaculture,” said Couturier.  “He is extremely dedicated to his professional life in fish farming, and this dedication showed in his work ethic in the program.”

Through the MTM program, George has developed skills in staff management and learned how to identify and highlight individual employee abilities within a company. He has also improved his skills in project management, justifying requests for capital, and writing.

“Cooke Aquaculture was very supportive of me completing the MTM program. It’s an investment they have made in me and I used the knowledge I gained to apply it to my daily job,” said George.

Moving forward, George is looking to apply his new found knowledge and skills to further advance within the company.

“Education doesn’t cost anything to carry around, so there is no reason not to keep learning,” said George.