Ernie Hamm
Ernie Hamm, ATM-S
President of Rich Del Toastmasters (1998-1999 and 2000-2001)
I thought I was a permanent fixture as a research scientist at my former place of employment, a wood products research and development institute on the U.B.C. campus. However, after 22 years with the organization, in 1995 I was informed otherwise and as a result I had to start thinking about a career change. I was sent to a career counseling agency to help with this process, and one of the vital aspects of the process was the employment interview. After a while with the agency I did a practice interview with a counselor. For some reason I was quite nervous for this event, in spite of the counselor's attempts to put me at ease. After I 'uhmed' and 'ahed' all the through the interview, she urged me to do myself a favor and join Toastmasters to get some help with my public speaking skills.
I followed her advice and joined Rich-Del Toastmasters club back in November of 1995. I found the Toastmasters system to be a good one and the practice in impromptu speaking to be highly beneficial in a job interview situation. When I went for an interview for an instructor position at B.C.I.T. a while after joining Rich-Del I felt quite at ease and confident, and I was hired for the job. Since I had never done any teaching on a regular basis before starting at B.C.I.T., I have continued on in Toastmasters to help further sharpen my speaking skills. The on-going practice is valuable and the variety of the types of speaking that you can become involved in makes it an interesting and enjoyable experience. Also because it run by volunteers, the cost is nominal.