Amoy Jacques, Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation (DPPPE)

What degree are you receiving? 

Graduate diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation (DPPPE)

What drew you to the diploma? 

I have been involved in program planning, development, and some early exposure to evaluation through research and did not have all the essential skills I needed to do evaluations with a high level of proficiency.  I decided to obtain this degree to further advance my evaluation skills particularly within non-profit and research environments.

What was the highlight of your experience? 

The highlight of my experience was gaining the confidence to transfer my evaluation skills to my new work environment at a non-profit organization which I was doing concurrently with my DPPPE studies.  I also obtained a scholarship through the Canadian Evaluation Society Evaluation Fund (CESEF) scholarship program and I was able to showcase my practicum project to the agency.

What was the biggest challenge?

Juggling being a full-time mom, and the demands of work and school.

What skills are you taking into the workplace? 

I am using evaluation principles within my daily work: I just conducted a process evaluation and designed a performance measurement framework.

What’s next for you? 

I’m taking the time to master my evaluation skills, collaborating with experienced evaluators in the field, and possibly one day getting my CE designation!