11th Episode: From Classroom to Boardroom: Celia Desmond on Engineering Leadership and Career Ownership

Celia Desmond is President of World Class – Telecommunications, providing telecommunications management training. Celia established and ran the PMO for Echologics. Her team managed all proposals, contracts and project management processes, She has lectured internationally on programs for success in
today’s changing environment. As Director at Stentor Resource Center Inc., she was instrumental in establishing governance, culture and service/product development processes. At Bell Canada, Celia provided strategic direction to corporate planners, ran technology/service trials, standardized equipment, and
supported large business clients.

Celia was 2016-1017 IEEE Division III Director. She has held numerous IEEE positions including, Secretary, IEEE VP – Technical Activities, ComSoc President, IEEE Canada President, VP Technology and Engineering Management Society and Project Director for ComSoc’s Wireless Engineering Certification. Celia holds MSc. Engineering,  B.Sc. Mathematics & Psychology, Ontario Teaching Certificate and PMP certification. Celia has taught kindergarten, high school, and at 5 universities. She is author of 2 Project Management books.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celia-desmond-b92117/

Summary:
In this insightful episode of the IEEE Thames podcast, host Jeff Perry sits down with Celia Desmond, a seasoned telecommunications management expert whose career journey spans from teaching kindergarten to leading complex engineering initiatives at Bell Canada. Celia shares her experiences navigating diverse professional roles, offering strategies for managing large-scale projects and transitioning between industry and research environments. Her reflections underscore the vital role of personal initiative, adaptability, and continuous learning in career advancement.

Listeners will gain practical guidance on building a career beyond technical expertise—exploring how to cultivate leadership skills, create meaningful professional networks, and thrive in both small and large organizations. Whether you're early in your engineering journey or a seasoned professional, this episode provides valuable lessons on career ownership, project management, and the evolving demands of technology-driven roles.

Jeff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcperry/

Produced by: IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society
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