Student Life Network recently sat down with three successful graduates from triOS College who are gainfully employed in their field of study.
Chantal M.
Program: Medical Office Assistant
Campus: Windsor
Occupation: Office Assistant @ Windsor Sleep Disorder Clinic
Shermila B.
Program: Supply Chain & Logistics
Campus: London
Occupation: Project Manager @ TSC
Brian S.
Program: Network Administrator
Campus: Kitchener
Occupation: Network Administrator @ Primespec
Here’s what they had to say about their journey from triOS College, all the way to their dream jobs:
What exactly was it about triOS College that convinced you to study there?
Chantal: I have a degree in Music, but I needed a marketable skill to actually be able to pay the bills, and so a college like triOS was perfect fit for my needs.
Shermila: triOS offered an accelerated program for the Supply Chain and Logistics course, which meant that I could complete my program in a year. The timeline was definitely the reason that convinced me to choose triOS College.
Brian: Everything sort of fell into place financially and comfortably. Everything worked out at the right time. triOS College presented the right people, and the right experience, at right time.
Describe your first few weeks at triOS College. What was the transition like?
Chantal: I think the important thing to know is that I love being a student, and I love learning. So transitioning back into a college/learning format was something that was fairly simple for me. I think having Amy as our first teacher was a massive help as well, because she’s just so awesome. I wasn’t too great at the sciences in high school, but Amy made it interesting and easy to understand, so that made a huge difference.
Shermila: Getting back to study mode was a challenge. Having to maintain my personal life with my family and then adding the demand of my course load took some time to get used to. I found that I had to separate both needs and I would dedicate the night to my studies.
Brian: I acquired a lot of credentials as a networking troubleshooter—a lot of time and money went into it. Then switching into warehouse work was difficult. If you don’t use it, you lose it. I felt thrown into the fire as far as my reintroduction into curriculum was concerned. But I put my chin up, sucked it up, and got to work.
Who were some of the people that helped you make the most of your time at triOS College? Were there any helpful resources that you relied on?
Chantal: I relied heavily on Amy, as a teacher. I can’t say enough how much I loved the first first months with Amy. She was helpful, kind, knowledgeable, interesting. And I know that all sounds like a cookie-cutter answer, but it really felt like our class was our little moment in the morning. My class was quite small, so we all got very close, and were able to bounce ideas off of each other, and help each other out without fear of being judged or anything like that. And I think in large part, that had to do with who Amy was as an instructor, and as a person.
Shermila: The instructors at triOS were my support and resources. I relied on their experiences and education throughout my program. I did find that my peers were also encouraging throughout my course study. Furthermore, my class was very small, which allowed me to connect with each and everyone one of my peers. Having that connection allowed us to encourage each other and give support when needed. In the end of it all my most supportive resource was my family, without them returning back to school would not have been feasible. I definitely had a trifecta of support from my instructors, peers, and family.
Brian: Leanne was an absolute incredible resource. All of the faculty was amazing. Jason Louse (RIP) he’s, wow, amazing. Jason Eckhart is another. He’s like Yoda. He made me feel like a regular person. All the teachers took the time to make sure everyone was on the same page.
What was the best part of your time at triOS College? What achievement/moment were you the most proud of?
Chantal: I made a pretty dope powerpoint. The powerpoint presentations in Bruce’s class were so fun to watch and to make. I had a great time with that. We were given a slide limit for our shows, and I didn’t want to listen so I fit like… 10 slides in each slide. So I’m pretty proud of that. Bruce can only blame himself for teaching us how to do it!
Shermila: There were many proud moments. From passing my first exam, to presenting my first project, completing my CIFFA requirements and passing to having a successful internship, and in the end being offered a position that I studied and worked hard for.
Brian: I had a stroke. I had a full brain aneurysm. This was through my CC&A course. I had to take a break. Doctors told me that I had to get onto disability. I fought, I thought about my daughter during that stage of life and I ended up going back, 6 months later, to the day, and graduated with honours. Then, I landed a job with benefits. Today, I’m as happy as I could be. If you want something, activate beastmode and make it happen.
How did a triOS College education prepare you for your current job?
Chantal: It was mostly the environment. Everyone was really pragmatic and straightforward about what would be expected of us in the real world, and it really helped to prepare for working.
Shermila: I was confident and knowledgeable in my field. My exposure and study to the curriculum allowed me to have the confidence to have my voice heard.
Brian: I was a seven-year veteran at Rogers Cable for networking troubleshooting. I left that position and went into warehouse work. Shortly after, I entered into the Second Careers Program which helped me transition into triOS College. It was there, at triOS, where I learned the skills and met the people that gave me the confidence to get back to my field of study.
Tell us about the application/interview process. What was that like?
Chantal: I made an appointment to meet with one of the interviewers. To be honest, at the time of my interview, I was already fairly certain of what I was going to do, so any information just made it better. We talked about my schooling history, we talked about why I wanted to go back to school, and what I was looking to achieve. It was like having a conversation with a friend. And then after we went over the mechanics of the course, we did a short tour of the facility. We got to say hello to some of the teachers and other students, and then I was on my way to talk over what had happened with my parents, and get my package together to bring back for the next day.
Shermila: I attended a Career Fair at triOS College at the time my current employer was looking for an intern. I received the phone call after the Career Fair requesting that I go for an internship interview that day. When I entered through the doors, I knew this is where I wanted to be. I went into the interview with confidence and let them know they needed me.
Brian: The interview was a shoe-in. I had life experience and I wanted that piece of paper, that diploma. I want to make sure my daughter knows about perseverance.
What do you love best about your current job? What gets you up out of bed every morning?
Chantal: This is where I think I’m a bit of an outlier. I make spreadsheets for fun. So Medical Office Administration is right up my alley for something I find fun. Computers and organization are my passion, so helping to run an office, and assimilating into the system that they already have is exactly what I like to do.
Shermila: Working in the Supply Chain has definitely exposed me to a demand that was foreign to me. I have had my own businesses and worked with Fortune 500 companies yet my exposure and full understanding of the process was not apparent. Having access and a portal to contribute to a demand that is apparent not only gets me out of bed but makes me not want to leave at the end of the day. I enjoy every aspect of my position.
Brian: What Gets You Out of Bed? I’m a computer tech. I also have some sales experience. The placement I got was tailor made for me. I do sales with networking troubleshooting, so I don’t have to troubleshoot their systems anymore. I have to troubleshoot what they have inside their data centres themselves. It’s awesome.
What advice would you give to a fellow triOS College graduate who is interested in joining your team?
Chantal: Ask questions. So many questions. Its better to ask and be a bother than to make mistakes that need to be corrected later.
Shermila: Have confidence, go above and beyond. Your hard work and dedication is definitely noted. The sky’s the limit.
Brian: Self-motivation. If you want it, you can make it happen. Just keep smaller goals and achieve them. Don’t plateau, set more goals. Always be hungry. Ask what’s next, and how I can better myself. That attitude has served me quite well. One of my favourite quotes of all time is from Bruce Lee: “pull power from weakness.” I’ve been living that for 15 years of my life.
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
Chantal: My course was what, eight months? And I….technically am my first year self in the field currently. So I’m not sure I can ‘look back’ to a first year that I’m currently inhabiting.
Shermila: Take a moment for yourself. Your hard work will pay off.
Brian: I’d give him a high five and say stay right the way you are. Be positive. Do your homework.
Steve Jobs once famously said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.” Chantal, Shermila, and Brian all worked hard to discover their calling, and then applied themselves day-in and day-out. Today, they are gainfully employed and quickly moving on up in their respective industries.
Will you be triOS College’s next rising star?
