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New beginnings and old pages
You may have noticed that most of this site is unchanged from a year or more ago. The site, unfortunately, has become a secondary priority to other new adventures in my life. Oh, I have big plans for these pages—in the future.
Right now, I'm attending graduate school at the University of Phoenix, Washington campus, to earn my Master of Arts in Organizational Management. School is great, I love learning and am having a marvelous time participating in discussions, writing term papers, and planning for my future.
In addition to school, I've been working on my professional communications accreditation. I submitted an intensive, highly documented portfolio of two professional projects that was judged by my peers in another part of the Untied States. There was a four hour written exam about the essentials of business communications and professional ethics. And there was a stressed filled oral exam to show how I can handle a crisis communications scenario.
I just learned (as of June 20) that I passed the exams and I can now list myself officially as an ABC, an Accredited Business Communicator. Woo Hoo! By the way, accreditation is managed through the aspices of the International Association of Business Communicators.
IABC's official letter says:
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I am delighted to tell you that Michael Heavener has earned the designation: Accredited Business Communicator (ABC). This is the highest professional honor accorded by the International Association of Business Communicators, and is awarded only after the applicant submits a professional portfolio and passes a rigorous 4-1/2 hour written and oral examination, demonstrating outstanding abilities as a communicator. IABC, with more than 13,500 members throughout the world, is unique in its support and encouragement of communication within businesses, associations, educational institutions and their internal and external publics. I know you will share our pride in his accomplishment. Sincerely, Mary Ann McCauley, ABC Chair, IABC Accreditation Board |
The company for which I work is going through the "pain" of merging with a competitor, so that adds one more layer to my life. Using the skills from grad school and playing on my newfound accreditation, I am gearing up to hunt for a new job. The first step is to re-write my resume. It'll be ready in the next week and I ask that you check out at least the summary.
If you hear of any positions that use my skill set and experience, please email me with the details. Thanks!
Until then, patient reader, I know the existing information will hold your attention for now. I graduate in June 2004, and I have many exciting updates planned for after that.