My Professional Edge - Barbara Wilt

Barbara Wilt
Senior Pharmaceutical Product Development Chemist, Adhesives Research Inc.
Keller degree: Master's of Project Management (MPM)

My career

In over 15 years at Adhesives Research, first as a Polymer Development Chemist in R&D and later as Senior Product Development Chemist for our Pharmaceutical business, I have been a co-inventor on seven US patents and become a leader within the company. Adhesives Research is a custom development organization that creates specialized adhesives for a number of industries.

In my first role at the company, I created adhesive products for internal corporate needs, but in my senior position I now develop niche products for external customers. I have gained vast knowledge in the product development process working on projects from conception through commercialization. This position involves significant leadership responsibilities as I am the sole technical resource mentoring junior chemists and technical staff, in an environment with multiple projects, conflicting timelines, and strict regulatory and quality management requirements.

A key component

My three-year Keller experience has benefited my career in numerous ways. First and foremost, it has improved my strategic thinking. By being exposed to different cultures and career paths, I've become more aware of various methods for strategic planning and management, as well as different types of organizational structures. I have learned how and why they are or can be successes or failures.

Having a Keller professional education has also provided me with growth opportunities, not only professionally, but personally. I've been able to take concepts that I've learned and apply them to various situations, both within the home and at work. I've been able to balance a full time job, two very active step-daughters, a house, a husband, and an accelerated online Master's degree program.

I was also able to increase my skill set in terms of collaboration efforts, analytical thinking and a broad knowledge of project management tools that I can use on a daily basis within my current job.

Value-added education

I needed a program that would offer flexibility to balance my personal life and work schedule and yet allow sufficient time for my studies. I wanted a school with an outstanding reputation for programs, teaching staff and accreditation. Keller met all of my criteria.

Many benefits from Keller are still yet to come, but I've already used and applied many of the concepts from the program. I've already used Risk Assessment tools both in my role as Lab Safety Committee Chairperson and as a Project Team Manager. I've also been using the WBS tool to define a template for our Product Development Process that not only will benefit my own Pharmaceutical group, but development teams throughout the company.

Real world, real value

One of the things that I've learned throughout my Keller experience is that it is definitely more beneficial to learn from real world experiences than it is to learn from text books. Text books can offer a foundation, but not true preparation for situations that you will face when out in the real world. The diversity and varied perspectives of my instructors and classmates allowed me to evaluate several options for dealing with situations. That was the best way to prepare.

I found that the Keller online format was an excellent method for increasing my communication skills, both verbal and written. Although most of the coursework occurred through threaded discussions, I often spoke to fellow classmates through the chat areas or telephone. It was not uncommon to be on the phone with a fellow team member during an actual working chat session. The completion of my MPM degree has boosted my self-confidence to accept new challenges and take on the world.