By Jennifer White
Name: Paul Bacle
Programs: Lean Six Sigma, International Programs
Even as a young man, Paul Bacle had dreamed about coming to the United States to study. After careful preparation, he applied and was accepted into UC San Diego Extension’s Lean Six Sigma program, enrolling in the Green Belt course. As an engineering student in France, Bacle chose the Lean Six Sigma program to expand his knowledge of lean management. The program teaches process improvement methodologies and unique problem-solving skills. In addition, the program contains the caveat that each student’s project must be formulated to save a company at least $40,000 in projected annual savings. Partnering with a fellow Lean Six Sigma student, who worked for the City of San Diego, Bacle came up with a way to reduce government inventory and make supplies more readily available to workers. After implementing new processes, the project is expected to save 100 times their initial goal, for a grand total of $4 million – more than 25 percent of the project’s overall $15 million budget.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m from France, and I am here in a study abroad program of six months. I study manufacturing and lean engineering and was chairman of a student-run company last year.
Why did you decide to study at Extension?
I chose to come to UC San Diego Extension for different reasons. First, because of its reputation and the excellence of the classes taught here. And then, the Lean Six Sigma program. I want to develop my knowledge of lean management and this class helped me apply the problem-solving skills I learned in real life. And the last reason was to learn English, meet new people and get to know the culture.
What have you learned in your classes (Lean Six Sigma program)?
In the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt class, I learned how to analyze a problem using data and see what the cause was and how to improve it. It’s not just knowledge; it gives you hands-on experience that you couldn’t have in any other class.
Why would you advise other students to enroll at Extension?
There are many different reasons that you would want to come here to UC San Diego Extension. First, you can have a life that you couldn’t even dream of in France. Then there is the excellence of the programs, because UC San Diego has a really good reputation amongst different colleges around the world. And the best thing about the system is that you can learn a lot on your own.
How has your experience at Extension changed your life?
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt class helped me a lot because I’m supposed to do a summer internship and I was able to put my class, the project and the results we had in my résumé. It helped me because it’s kind of a VIP card to get engineering internships, because you don’t have just knowledge, you have concrete experience of work and of the tools you master. Thanks to the class, I have three proposals for internships. I have to choose where I could apply my knowledge of Lean Six Sigma most effectively.
It doesn’t just teach you skills, but also a kind of mindset. Even for me being later in my career, it teaches change management and analytical skills, which are key skills I need to master. I want to work in strategic managements and Lean Six Sigma teaches you everything you need to know about that.
Learn more about our Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certificate program, as well as our Green and Yellow Belt courses on our website, or contact Angela Cook at (858) 534-8133 or a9cook@ucsd.edu.