Leila Rahemtulla
Leila Rahemtulla brings 25 years of experience to her role as an instructor for our Business Management Certificate and Human Resources Management Certificate programs. This experience includes developing and delivering both classroom and online courses, consulting in public and private sectors and writing a book, Reignite the Passion in Your Work and Your Life.
In 2018, Leila was nominated for the YWCA’s Women of Distinction Award in recognition of her numerous accomplishments. We recently caught up with Leila for insight into our Business Management Certificate and courses.
Who would you recommend take the Business Management Certificate and courses?
There are a lot of potential students for this program. Emerging leaders or individuals who are at the beginning of their professional lives can gain a solid introduction to the world of business in the Canadian context. For individuals who are mid-career or ready for a change, the courses and certificate help “round out” what they’ve learned in the workplace with formalized education—it provides the “book smarts” to balance their “street smarts.” And for folks who might not be ready to commit to an entire certificate, the individual courses can be a great refresher and a way of continuing personal and professional development.
What type of career path can the learning lead to?
This program and its courses often help students take themselves to the next level in their careers. They develop managerial and organizational perspectives that balance the technical knowledge they’ve developed on the job, with a better understanding of business and leadership.
What’s the most valuable thing students will learn in your courses?
It's hard to pick just one thing as I think it depends on the learner—I encourage students to establish their own goals at the beginning of the courses so part of what they’ll gain is clarity about their own path. If I had to narrow it down, I believe they’ll leave with an enhanced self-awareness and a stronger sense of how they can make a difference in their work and lives. They’ll have a better understanding of business and leadership and different work environments. Hopefully, they also leave with more confidence and competence in their own ability and potential.
What’s one piece of advice you would give mature students returning to school?
Treat your learning as an investment in yourself, your teams and your organization, as well as those around you outside of work. Be open to who your teacher might be—it might not always be the person at the front of the room—it could very well be someone you meet along the way or after the course is over. Be open to what you will gain from the experience—it won’t just be the content of the courses, it might also be the networks you build and appreciation for diverse work environments. Our role as instructors is to impart knowledge to facilitate your very personal learning and development journey—you’ll choose how you “walk the path.”
What do you enjoy most about teaching in this program?
I am continually inspired by students who commit to lifelong learning. To have them come to evening classes when they’ve already put in a full day at work and see them energized about content and engaging in meaningful dialogue makes the experience nothing short of joyful. I have gratitude for the inclusion that is created with our online courses, knowing we can now reach many students who otherwise might not have been able to attend classes. I really appreciate staying connected with students and hearing about their careers—seeing them achieve their goals makes all of our efforts worth it.