KSR graduate certificate feature: Michaela Vacey

Michaela Vacey (far left) and colleagues at Rexall Place.

Whether it was participating as an athlete or watching as a fan, sports have always been an integral part of Michaela Vacey’s life. It shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that she would one day be found working for one of North America’s largest professional sport and entertainment organizations. 

What might be a surprise is the fact that working for a professional sports organization wasn’t the career path she had originally aspired to. “I completed my BSc in biological sciences here at the University of Alberta. Despite this, my time spent working for Campus and Community Recreation (CCR) during my undergraduate studies provided me the opportunity to rethink the direction I wanted my career to go in,” says Vacey.

Vacey recently shared how taking the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation’s sport and recreation management graduate certificate led her to pursue a master of science (MSc) degree, and eventually secure a management position with the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG Inc).  

How did you learn about the KSR certificate program?

While I was working in the CCR, I was researching different career options that would be of interest to me. One day, I received an interdepartmental memo announcing the sport and recreation management graduate certificate. It piqued my interest, so I reached out to Jill Cameron, the manager of community education, with some questions about what the program would entail. A quick conversation with her convinced me to pursue the graduate certificate. Seeing that memo felt serendipitous; it came at a point in my life where I was at a crossroads. 

I consider myself a lifelong learner. Even prior to this program, I was taking massive open online courses, simply to educate myself on topics of interest. Paired with my love for sports and desire for a full transition into a new line of work, the sport and recreation management graduate certificate felt like the perfect fit for me and was the one certificate I pursued.  

What gaps did the certificate help you fill?

Rather than filling gaps, this certificate allowed me to pull a full 180 from my original path. My undergraduate degree gave me the skills and drive to succeed, but the graduate certificate made it possible for me to start anew and pursue my dreams. I was passionate about what I was learning, and that passion was reflected in my work and in the grades I received. More importantly, it was reflected in the student I became and my passion that had been ignited.

What made you decide to go into the course-based MSc?

One major reason was that all of the listed topics were a huge interest for me. In an effort to be as well rounded and educated as possible, I ended up taking every course offered! As the certificate only required four courses for completion, I opted to ladder up to the course-based MSc for the opportunity to experience as many courses as possible.

How has this certificate helped your professional aspirations and your work?

Shortly after I completed my MSc, I transitioned into my current managerial role in the premium and ticketing department at OEG Inc. My day-to-day work now revolves around interacting with our clientele to provide the highest level of customer service and working collaboratively with our multitude of departments to ensure that operations for all live events and hockey games go off without a hitch. 

The foundation I established through the completion of the graduate certificate — and eventually a master’s degree — has provided me deeper insight into the operational intricacies of a professional sports corporation. With a fundamental basis of financial analysis, facility management, marketing, public sector work and organizational analysis, I’ve been able to foster a strong understanding and knowledge of the interdepartmental collaboration that occurs within the company. My learnings from the leadership course have provided a direct, positive impact on how the staff I manage function and operate as a team, especially during the busiest part of the season.

Having started in my role fairly recently, I’m looking forward to the upcoming 2023-24 hockey season, when I’ll get to experience the full ins and outs of our incredible programs and team. It sometimes still feels surreal standing in Rogers Place, listening to the crowds erupt when the Edmonton Oilers take the ice.

What would you say to anyone considering taking the certificate?  

The first thing I would say is that these certificates are perfect stepping stones to a career in  sport and recreation. You can use them to ladder into the course-based MSc program and continue your educational pursuits at a pace that is incredibly accommodating to those who are already working professionals and have other commitments outside of their schooling. I would also let them know that completion of the certificates as standalones also provides valuable knowledge even for those with established careers in the sport and recreation sector.

  The best advice I can give to people is to take the plunge! Not only does the workload allow you to balance life outside of your education, such as career and family, but it’s an incredibly well thought out program that provides you a foundation to leap into your dream job.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people who are in the position you were in when you discovered the certificate?

Just because you may have started going one direction in life doesn’t mean that path has been set in stone. Don’t be afraid to go after something if you truly believe it’s right for you; pursuing the things you love will open up doors for you in ways you would never have imagined. Having the opportunity to pivot towards the career path of my dreams made everything fall into place for me, and I couldn’t be more thankful that it did.

 The application deadline for the Sport and Recreation Management graduate certificate is August 1, 2023.  Learn more and apply here.