Graduating from the Telfer Executive MBA (EMBA) program requires discipline and stamina, all the while managing competing calendar demands of projects, deadlines, team meetings and life in general. It’s a full-body workout for your brain and your time management skills. For Consultant and Telfer Executive MBA alumna Kim Pilkington, the EMBA isn’t a finish line – it’s a powerful launchpad.
Her advice? If you’re already consulting – or aiming to – ride that post-EMBA momentum and fast-track your Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation. “You’ve built the mindset, the habits and the energy. Why slow down?”
Here are Kim Pilkington’s top five reasons for combining your EMBA degree with a CMC designation.
1. Momentum: Keep the learning drive alive
“The EMBA is like drinking from a firehose,” Kim says. “Fast and intense. Why let all that mental muscle go soft? After graduating from the EMBA, that is the time to keep going. You’re already in learning mode, mentally fit, and full of momentum – so fast-track the CMC while your brain is still firing on all cylinders.”
2. Efficiency: You’ve already done the work – now leverage it
The Telfer Executive MBA program is recognized by CMC-Canada, and much of the EMBA coursework counts toward CMC prerequisites. That means fewer steps, reduced costs, and a streamlined certification path. Kim advises, “Why repeat what you’ve already completed? Take advantage of the fast-track.”
3. Global recognition & professional credibility
“In a world where anyone can call themselves a consultant,” Kim says, “the CMC tells people you know what you’re doing.”
It is an internationally recognized designation, providing a mark of professionalism that sets you apart, whether you’re securing contracts in Canada or working across borders.
“It gives me as a professional a lot of flexibility in where I work and who I work with,” Kim says. “It gives you options.”
4. A lifelong commitment to professional growth
Kim loves to learn and values the CMC for more than just the letters behind her name.
“It’s not just a one-and-done title,” she explains. “It comes with ongoing practical professional development that keeps your skills sharp and relevant. The CMC network is comprised of experienced, ethical, and generous consultants – people who refer business, collaborate and support one another.”
5. EMBA + CMC = double credentials, double impact
“The EMBA gives you the full business toolkit,” says Kim. “The CMC adds consulting-specific tools, standards, and structure.”
Together, they demonstrate management consulting professionalism and excellence. It assures clients that they are hiring a consultant with knowledge and a structured, ethical approach to their work. This is particularly valuable when bidding on contracts, leading firms, or consulting solo.
“It’s not about collecting letters. It’s about sending a message: I’m serious about this work – and I’ve got the credentials to back it up.”
Kim puts it simply, “If you’ve earned your EMBA through Telfer, keep going. Ride the momentum, fast-track your CMC, and step into consulting with confidence. You don’t want to let that high-performance brain of yours cramp up.”
