Getting Designated
Lead. Serve. Inspire. Becoming a CPM® By Christine Williams, CPM® Candidate
For the past 10 years I have worked in property management, in the not-for-profit sector, and with it has brought many challenges and successes. I have always strived to be the best I can be for my clients and even though I had taken both my strata and my residential property management through the University of British Columbia, I felt I was falling short. There was just so much more for me to learn. When a colleague mentioned the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER® (CPM®) designation I felt inspired again. With this program I would be able to study at my own pace, bounce ideas off fellow colleagues, meet amazing people, and learn more about property management - all at the same time! It was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. One of the most challenging experiences in the designation program was the Management Plan Skills Assessment (MPSAXM) exam; it was one of the most challenging things I have ever done. Luckily, I met another amazing student taking her exam alongside me. Together, we stayed up all night in preparation for the exam; studying and bouncing ideas off each other. This collaboration is what made the seemingly impossible, possible. We were all very fortunate to have an amazing instructor, Steve Leistner, FRI(A) CPM® CMOC CRU CRP ACoM, who walked us 8
REIC Exchange, August 2017
through every lesson, making sure we all understood the content. Steve brought a high level of knowledge, and at the same time made our classes fun. Although, at times, the process seemed a bit overwhelming - it was worth every minute! The CPM® program has been one of the most powerful learning experiences of my career. Since taking these courses over the past two years, I feel I have grown so much. I am about to write my final exam, and I believe I have not only become a better professional - but also a better person. I have had the opportunity to meet so many
other like-minded professionals who strive to be their very best, and to do their best for our clients. How can we be anything other than inspired? As I go through my journey I now know I have an amazing network of people I can turn to, and they can also come to me. With the knowledge I have gained in the CPM® program I am more confident in my decisions and in my day to day life. I know I have the ability to find the answers my clients need, and helping them become successful is just so rewarding. Being a woman in my 50s - who would have thought that going back to school and
