For this issue of Ask BCIT Alumni, we chatted with one of our passionate and energetic graduates from BCIT Broadcast and Media Communications. Andrew Booth graduated from BCIT with a Radio Arts and Entertainment diploma in 2015. He began working for Clio, comprehensive law case management and legal software based in Burnaby, BC, as a Multimedia Producer and got promoted to Lead in 2021.
Aside from his creative work, Andrew’s interest revolves around things related to Contemporary Art, mainly collecting art has become a significant passion. He also curates the Vancouver Art Blog, which showcases and promotes Vancouver’s contemporary art scene. He shares with us his educational and career journey as a mature student and the importance of company culture.
What made you come to BCIT for post-secondary education as a mature student?
I wanted to change the trajectory that my career journey was set on, and I felt the best way to do that was through some form of post-secondary schooling. The decision to enrol in BCIT was an easy one to make; not only did they offer specialized training in a field that I was interested in, but the curriculum was condensed into a jam-packed two-year program. This meant that I was only out of the working world for about 18 months.
What was also enticing to me was that BCIT focuses on job placement, which includes a month-long practicum baked into the program. This was a hugely valuable experience to make connections in the industry and put those skills I gained into practice almost immediately.
Why should a mature student consider returning to school or college?
I graduated from BCIT when I was 30, meaning I had about 35 more years ahead of me until retirement. In other words, there was more time ahead of me to work than the amount of time that I had been alive up until that point. That’s a long time. Not to mention that the world is constantly evolving, and who knows what industries will be thriving in the next 5-10 years. It’s more important than ever to diversify your skill sets and be ready to take on new opportunities as they come. Whether you’re a mature student or not, I feel this mindset applies.
SEE MORE: The benefits of entering post-secondary as a mature student
What is Clio, what do you do there, and why are you so passionate about working there?
Clio is a tech company that makes cloud-based legal practice management software. I work within the Creative Design team in our Marketing department as the Lead Multimedia Producer, which means on any given day, I might be producing a video campaign to promote a new feature release or an internal initiative, producing an episode of our podcast which is hosted by our CEO Jack Newton, or coaching my colleagues on public speaking best practices for our annual user conference (which was held in Nashville this year).
Right now, I am in the process of building our very own in-house recording and broadcasting studio, which will eventually be used for broadcasting internal comms, producing podcast interviews, hosting webinars, and more. In addition to this, we are looking at exciting and innovative ways to leverage multimedia and technology to create a more engaging employee experience as we settle into our new hybrid model of work (meaning – you can work from home, from the office, or both. It’s your choice).
I remain passionate about Clio because we are a mission-driven company, which means that the work I do daily has a direct and positive impact on our society as we collectively strive toward “transforming the legal experience for all”.
Lastly, in the same way that BCIT has given me the foundational tools for the trade, Clio has given me the autonomy and trust to build my own career path.
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Why is company culture important to you?
Ping pong tables, beer on tap, and bean bag chairs will only stimulate you for so long. An organization needs to have more than the standard “tech office starter pack” to keep you inspired enough to show up to work every Monday. Company culture doesn’t happen by accident either; it requires deliberate effort and plenty of resources.
I feel fortunate to have contributed to Clio’s culture in a variety of ways, both related to my role and otherwise; whether it’s launching an internal podcast, hosting “Cliolympic” events (pre-pandemic, of course), producing our annual Impact Awards ceremony, or, in the early days of the pandemic, hosting a daily variety show called the “Morning Cup of Clio”.
Not to get too philosophical, but our days are (generally) broken down into three parts; 8 hours of work, 8 hours of play, and 8 hours of sleep. If you dread going to work on Mondays, that negative energy spills over into your 8 hours of play, which adversely affects your 8 hours of sleep, which compounds and makes your 8 hours of work even more dreadful, and the cycle continues.
Having a strong company culture that makes your staff– dare I say– excited to show up to work on Monday can be a major differentiator and can have a significant impact on their quality of life outside of work.
What is your biggest why?
Why not look forward to going to work on Monday?
ABOUT ASK BCIT ALUMNI
Ask BCIT Alumni Series features successful BCIT School of Business + Media grads in their chosen field and industry on BCIT News, Instagram and LinkedIn. We ask them about their professional journey, share some career advice, and provide insights about their line of work to help guide and inspire fellow BCIT grads and students. Through their unique experience, leadership perspective, and involvement in the community, we provide an avenue to highlight and amplify our BCIT Almuni’s message and story.