With another year coming to a close, we reflect on the accomplishments of our many BCIT alumni who have contributed in their respective sectors in BC and beyond. The following stories are just a few examples of incredible alumni who have used their BCIT education to launch and grow meaningful careers.
1. More than just a job: how a BCIT alumna is amplifying Indigenous voices and stories
As an Indigenous person, Savannah Minoose-Erasmus wanted to use her BCIT Broadcast and Online Journalism training to increase cultural knowledge and bring Indigenous stories to the public. Soon after graduation this alumna was hired as a Project Coordinator with the Indigenous Youth Wellness Team at the Provincial Health Services Authority. That opportunity helped grow her skills for her current role with Squamish Nation as an Indigenous storyteller, bringing Indigenous voices and stories to her audience as a Cree-Metis storyteller.
2. Championing diversity: Marketing alumnus and novelist Eddy Boudel Tan advocates for representation in the arts
Drawn to the field of marketing as an outlet to apply his natural creativity, Eddy Boudel Tan believes that the arts should reflect the diverse world around him. The skills and experiences Eddy gained from BCIT’s Marketing and Communications diploma program helped him launch a successful career as a marketing manager. This alumnus combined his experiences and his passion to celebrate diversity to write two highly acclaimed books. Eddy is the author of After Elias and The Rebellious Tide.
3. Leadership, volunteerism, and compassion: VRCA President and BCIT alumna Donna Grant shares her secrets to success
After graduating from BCIT’s Marketing Management, Small Business program (now known as Entrepreneurship), Donna Grant’s interest in volunteerism grew. She joined several committees and found that she had a knack for helping people develop. In her role as President of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, she applies this style of leadership to support her employees to succeed. Donna says she is grateful for the opportunity to give back and make a difference.
4. The future is green: Alumnus and CEO of Properate says green buildings can help us live healthier and solve the climate crisis
Facing challenges didn’t stop Arman Mottaghi from forging forward and completing his Master of Applied Science in Building Engineering at BCIT. As an immigrant from Iran, he had to learn a new language and a different concept of building design. Arman has used his passion for creating energy-efficient spaces and his goal of making low-rise residential buildings more energy efficient into a nationally recognized contribution to address the climate crisis and help people live healthier lives.
5. From Brazil to Canada: BCIT grad and Alumni Association Director Amanda Gomes says challenges prepared her for success
Plans quickly changed for Amanda Gomes when her life was uprooted from Brazil after her father accepted a new job in Canada. In time, she adapted to the Canadian lifestyle and enrolled in BCIT’s Civil Engineering – Bachelor of Engineering program. She says that the program’s heavy workload taught her important time management skills and its hands-on learning component set her up for success. This BCIT alumna is currently a Project Manager in engineering and feels it’s important to represent diversity in a field that is traditionally male-dominated.
6. Growing sustainably: President of Naikoon Contracting turns small-town values into big business
It was Joe Geluch’s long-time goal to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a Red Seal Carpenter. After completing the BCIT Carpentry program to lay the foundation for his career, took over his family’s contracting business. Joe wanted to make a positive impact on the community and relaunched the company with a sustainability focus. Since then, he has won countless awards and built zero-energy buildings across the Lower Mainland.
7. Making it in marketing: Second generation Fraser Valley alumna shares her journey to success
Both of her parents are BCIT alum, so it’s no surprise that her mom’s advice led Carly Wethersett to find her career path at the same institution. The now two-time BCIT alumna found her career passion with BCIT’s Marketing Management program, where she says the hands-on was pivotal to her success. Now, she is the Director of Marketing and Communications for a medium-sized business where she sets the tone for the strategic direction of the company’s marketing campaigns.
8. Business alum and VP of W.P.J. McCarthy and Company Ltd. shares advice for the next generation in real estate
Mentorship and a strong education led John McCarthy down a very successful path in real estate, business, and philanthropy. A two-time BCIT alumnus, John is now the Vice President of his family’s company, for which he manages the real estate portfolio. He uses his position and success to give back to the community and develop philanthropic initiatives in the community to support cancer care, including building regional cancer centres throughout the province.
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