When I was about to graduate from the
EMBA program in the summer of 2005,
SFU's MBA programs was accredited by
CMA, and their graduates are eligible for enrolling to the accelerated
CMA designation program. To enroll to the program and obtaining the designation in one year after graduation, the student has to meet certain academic qualification and successfully complete a strategy analysis project in the following spring.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, I applied to the program.
CMA enrolled me in, and sent me application to register to a strategy analysis project that started in January 2006. However, the mail was lost among the pile accumulated and neglected from the busy schedule and
excitement of preparing for my brother's wedding. When I came back from the wedding trip, it was too late to get myself in no matter how hard I tried. I prayed to God that it was a hard lesson to learn with letting the opportunity slipping by.
Months ago, I read a marketing email from
CMA. After a few serious
inquiries, I was considered to be admitted to their executive program which costs 5 digit $ value to study the subjects that I have already learned in the
EMBA program. Yet, because
CMA made a mistake on my mailing address, I didn't receive the letter in time to enroll to their executive program. To make up the mistake they have made and "deprived" me from enrolling to the program, I was allowed to be back on the original
accelerated program track provided I would re-do an Operation Management course elsewhere (I didn't do well in that last time). It costs me just over $600.
Looking back, I am amazed by how all these fall out and how God has graciously lead me through to this step. Year 2006 was so eventful and stressful that I would not be able to complete the CMA requirements even if I was enrolled to the strategy project--I was promoted to be at director level; parents were both admitted to hospital in Hong Kong, and dad was in a critical condition that I had to go back again after barely four weeks later; mom had a total hip replacement operation later in the summer; there was an significant organizational change at work, and by spring 2007, 80% of my project management team were hired less than a year ago.
If I were to plan out this pursuit of CMA designation, it would have stressed me out completely by not doing it at the right timing. God knew what laid ahead of me and what lessons I should learn at differnt times. He has humbled me by opening my eyes to see His hands at work even the trivial mailing things were His accomplishing tools. At this, I can't but praise God for who He is:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8,9)
