Ambitions can reach Olympic proportions
Devon Smibert is unstoppable. The Athabasca University MBA student is on the fast track to achieve everything he possibly can in life. And when Devon sets goals for himself, he sets big goals — including competing as a track cyclist in the 2012 Olympics. To prepare, the IT security consultant spends countless hours training and competing. “I’m on the road for weeks at a time,” he says. “For the last few years, I’ve spent on average more than 50 per cent of my time in travel for either work or cycling competitions.” Most people would be busy enough with MBA studies and training for the Olympics, but Devon also volunteers as a tandem cycling pilot for visually impaired cyclist Brian Cowie. The two competed in the Beijing Paralympic Games and took a bronze in 2010 at the International Cycling Union championships in Manchester, England. That still leaves Devon with some time to spare. He’s an avid mountain climber as well — a passion he shares with his wife. In fact, the couple climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on their honeymoon and plan to climb the remaining six highest peaks in each continent. “We’d like to knock them all off within the next 10 to 15 years,” he says. Smibert still manages to pursue other ambitions simultaneously, including his military career as an officer with the Canadian Army Reserves. “Wednesday nights and one or two weekends a month, we do field training to keep our skills up to snuff so if we do need to deploy, we’re ready,” he says. Long- term, Smibert’s focused on entrepreneurship and a political career. “There’s a lot of political apathy on many levels and I think it’s something where I can bring some of my experience to bring change, make a difference and help make it better,” he says. To strengthen his ability to succeed in entrepreneurship and politics, Smibert decided that the next step was an MBA — and he researched extensively before deciding Athabasca University’s program was the right fit for him. “My work and athletic schedules would never have allowed me to take a traditional classroom format program. At AU, I am able to arrange my school schedule around my work, military and athletic schedules.”