I was fortunate to be asked to participate as a mentor to a Computer Systems student in our Bachelor of Technology program this fall. This is a real honour and something that I value having the opportunity to do.
I graduated from BCIT in 1987 and the skills taught me by my instructors and my classmates set the tone for my career. Thanks to the BCIT Alumni Association and the BCIT Student Association for this opportunity.
Below is an interview I gave in the student newspaper, The Link:
Interview: BCIT Mentor Leo de Sousa
February 18, 2010 by thelinknewspaper
Leo de Sousa may have a background in IT Services, but his advice on life – and how to balance – it can translate to students in any field
Long days. Late nights. Extra hours. Group projects. Debt.
BCIT students have a, shall we say, unique experience. For many, it’s the toughest period of their lives. Following dreams and getting credential many times means going in the hole financially and giving up life as you know it to pursue studies. It’s a big step, a big risk; you name it.
One of the best things a student can do is to talk to someone who has already experienced the very same life. Learning to cope and making adjustments can be hard to think of, but what I’ve found helps the most is talking to someone who can shed some light on what they would have done differently as a student.
So, meet Leo de Sousa. He’s a Computer Systems grad of 1987, and went on to work various jobs including for the Lions Gate Hospital (which he was offered upon graduation) and the Forest Industry. He made his way back to BCIT in 1992, and has been working in the Information Technology Services department since. His current title is the Manager of the Business Application Services and Enterprise Architecture, which also means he is in a position to hire.
Our chat was very informative, and although I feel my choice of BCIT studies (broadcast journalism) is almost the polar opposite to CST, what de Sousa said really inspired me to get better at balancing life at BCIT.
How did your time as a BCIT student help you in your future endeavours?
BCIT makes you focused on the skills you need to be successful, especially in your first job. What we did – and I think it’s still true today – we worked in teams all the time. You really start to build not only hard working skills for yourself but team work skills. If you’re a letter carrier, delivering to people’s homes, maybe you’re not on a team. But pretty much everywhere else, especially for the jobs and the skills BCIT trains their graduates for; you’re always in a team environment. So it was perfect for that.