Imagine-Perth, Australia; 35 degree Celsius weather in January; sun, beach, friends...and General Studies 300. For Mel Zimmerman, Bachelor of Communication and Culture '01, integrating his course work and necessary business travel (yes, even to Australia) was integral to him completing his degree.

"During General Studies 300, I was traveling extensively for about 5-7 weeks on business throughout South East Asia, Indonesia, and Australia and really didn't want to drop the course," Mel recalls. "To Dr. Margo Husby-Scheelar's wonderful credit, she moved the whole class of 50 to a room with video-conferencing. While the class struggled to stay awake for the Saturday morning, 8 - 11am lecture, I did the same, but from midnight - 3 am, halfway around the world."

Such Saturday courses, also known as Weekend U, were what allowed Mel to pursue the Bachelor of Communication and Culture (BCC). As a successful Human Resources professional, Mel returned to the University of Calgary in 1996 and completed courses while working full-time.

"I've always really wanted to finish a degree. I attended U of C back in the 1970s and had the goal of becoming a teacher; however, after receiving some bad advice at a bad time-that the school system was overwhelmed be teachers and didn't need any-I chose to leave school after a year and work," Mel explains. 

He completed a certificate in HR Management and began a career working with various manufacturing, oil and gas, and agriculture companies, as well as doing external consulting. All of Mel's work has been in HR, culminating in senior management positions dealing with recruitment, compensation, labour relations, HR planning, training and education.

"Early in my career, not having a degree was a bit of an impediment; it definitely didn't help career progression," Mel admits. "At some point, though, years of experience, maturity, and wisdom help a lot too and become a value." The University of Calgary recognized this value by granting him a Workplace Learning minor as part of his degree.

Mel has also been heavily involved with the Human Resources Association of Calgary (HRAC), even serving as president a few years back. Joining an association, no matter what industry you're in, is something Mel firmly recommends to all students and young professionals.

"Professional associations allow you to work with peers outside of employment while building a bigger network and experience base. If there's anything I've learnt in my career, it's that leaders and people in business at all levels need to be able to communicate and work together; teams are the way of the future. That's an area in which Communication and Culture graduates are very skilled."

Currently, Mel owns a consultant business, Zimmerman Consulting Inc., and continues to advise managers on how to interview, select, and hire; provide workshops on the "Essentials of Leadership;" and conduct executive search work. His dream of teaching has also been realized. Mel has been a Human Resources instructor at Mount Royal College for the past five years.

"Completing my degree fulfilled a wish that I should have done many years ago," Mel affirms. "The U of C has wetted my appetite for more education and life-long learning. I do not have huge career aspirations for upward and onward, but I do plan to continue growing and sharpening my skills and staying on top of what businesses need."

By Chelsey Hiller