We caught up with Kansas Mackenzie to learn more about her educational journey through the Technology Support Professional (TSP) program and tips for prospective students considering the program.
“I currently work for UBC IT Desktop Services. I love the mix of working with technology and getting to interact with people and help them at the same time. I enjoy it because every day is a little different, and I’m constantly learning new things.
I would love to eventually be in a more leadership-based role in the IT industry. Before getting there, I want to continue challenging myself, develop my technical knowledge base, and get more hands-on experience.
I am very glad I applied to the TSP program. It was such a great positive experience for me, and it has really helped kick start my career. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a career in IT without spending years in school.”
Why BCIT and the Technology Support Professional (TSP) program?
“I chose BCIT because I wanted a more hands-on education, and I knew that the graduate employment rate was very high and that they provided a lot of support and resources to help start a career. I had also heard very good things about the school from family and friends.
I decided on the TSP program because I had no previous education or work experience in technology. I was changing careers and had already spent five years in university. I wanted a program that was less than a year, but where I would still learn a lot and one that would help me get my foot in the door of an industry I had no experience in.”
Are you interested in starting a career in information technology? Join us for an online Information Session on July 4 or August 9 and learn more about BCITs Technology Support Professional (TSP) program.
The TSP experience
“I went from knowing very little about technology and computers to having a much stronger understanding. It made all the difference having Orrett Morgan and Rajen Deol as instructors.
They are both amazing teachers and really care about making sure you get the most out of the program while having fun at the same time. They created a very safe learning environment where you were never afraid to ask a question or for help when you did not understand something.
It was a big learning curve for me, but the instructors and my classmates were very supportive, and we all had the mindset that we would work together and help each other out from day one.”
7 tips for prospective students
- “Your instructors are there to help and guide you, so ask lots of questions even if you think the question is silly. Your time at TSP is to learn and grow your knowledge!
- Make friends with your classmates and work together throughout the program. You might end up working with them once you graduate.
- Start networking early; (greater) Vancouver’s IT world is small, so it’s good to make connections. It can be awkward at first to put yourself out there, but it gets easier.
- Take advantage of all the resources and opportunities at BCIT. Look into BCIT’s mentoring program, for example.
- When you graduate, take the time to work on your interview skills by practicing lots and creating a solid base for a resume and cover letter that you can edit for the different job applications.
- Apply for many jobs, even if you don’t think you are qualified for them. You won’t meet all the requirements on the job posting, but that’s okay because companies will still likely reach out to you if you meet a good portion of them. And then you can win them over in the interview.
- And lastly, soft skills are just as, if not more, important than technical skills. You work with and help people in IT, so you need to be able to communicate and have good customer service skills.
Are you interested in starting a career in information technology? Learn more about the BCIT Technology Support Professional (TSP) program.