Student Testimonial: The right mix of theory and practical experience

Engineer Arun Ramasubramanian is a quality manager for an environmental monitoring systems firm. In the past, he has worked as a manufacturing engineer in satellite based internet service providers and as an intern in process engineering.

Throughout his career, he has been involved with developing and implementing processes and writing programs to build surface-mount technology. It is work that requires a high degree of efficiency and close attention to detail.

In his field, the problem solving process known as Six Sigma, a system of techniques and tools for process improvement is used to ensure quality control in business practices throughout a range of industries. Although many people contributed to modern quality management, Motorola developed the methodology in the late 1980’s. It is one of the most widely accepted methods for achieving process consistency in fields like business, engineering, technology and health care services. And it is a skillset Ramasubramanian knew he would need in order to be successful in his career.

He researched his options and found ASU’s Continuing Education program, which offers a six-month Six Sigma Black Belt certification course, delivered entirely online through the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, He was pleased to learn that the program was more highly structured, hands-on and included plenty of learning opportunities.

“The Six Sigma Program that is taught at ASU is probably the most comprehensive program in the country and taught by the most respectable names in the Industry. The Six Sigma Methodology classes were taught by the pioneers in the science,” says Ramasubramanian.

When he transitioned from school to working in the industry, he ran into challenges that he knew could be resolved with advanced Six Sigma training. For Ramasubramanian, the program fulfilled this need, “with the right mix of theory and practical experience earned through the process of completing hands-on projects.” 

The flexibility and convenience of ASU’s online Six Sigma Black Belt certification program enabled him to stay committed to his full-time career while learning new skills to apply every day on the job. “A classroom format might be great for a limited learning goal, but the skills needed for a Black Belt program are vast and cannot be acquired in a week or two. Quitting the day job to pursue the skills is not an option for many and this is where the program provides the leverage,” says Ramasubramanian.

Along with gaining desired skills in a high quality online setting, he also appreciate the student support ASU offered during the program: “I liked the fact that the program provided certification students the same access to material, learning and online classroom tools including access to a course moderator typically reserved for full-time or on-campus students.”

The course is ideal for those in careers in science, engineering and mathematics fields, but according to Ramasubramanian, it includes all the necessary problem-solving tools, enabling anyone to succeed, as long as they are open to learning.

He credits the course with helping him take his career to the next level: “The program had been the biggest game changer in my career providing me the confidence to move on to bigger and better things. The program most definitely opens doors or starts conversations for anyone looking to grow in their current role or might be contemplating switching career paths.”