'It's beyond impressive when I look back at how much I knew before I started the program and how much I know now that I'm finishing, and I couldn't be any prouder I chose this institution.'
Q: What is your program and current year of study?
Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology (NTEN)*.
*Previously Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology Diploma, now the Infrastructure and Computing Technology Diploma.
Q: Where is your hometown/country?
A: I'm from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Q: What brought you to Canada over any other country?
A: I came to Canada for the first time in 2006 for an exchange summer program at Kalamalka Secondary in Vernon and I was captivated by the scenery and the welcoming people. I stayed with a homestay family and we completely hit it off. We kept in touch even when I went back to my home country and I had always wanted to come back since then.
Q: What brought you to Okanagan College? Why did you come to study here of all places?
A: The homestay family I lived with convinced me to come back and sent me brochures and links of post-secondary institutions around the Okanagan, and OC had the program I was interested in.
Q: What do you like most about your program?
A: I have always had a passion for technology, from trying to fix broken radios when I was younger, creating network splices so me and my brother could get cable in our rooms, to actually working with networking gear in the labs and during my coop. It's beyond impressive when I look back at how much I knew before I started the program and how much I know now that I'm finishing and I couldn't be any prouder I chose this institution.
Q: What was one of your favourite moments or achievements in your program or as a student?
A: One of my greatest achievements was being given the opportunity to participate in the coop terms in my program and as a result, being offered a full time position right after graduation.
Q: What are your future career or educational goals?
A: I hope to be able to work in my field, grow with the changing technological world, advance further in my education through a Master's degree and/or PhD, and hopefully become a Professor or Instructor sometime later in my career.
Q: Overall, what has your experience been like at OC?
A: My experience at Okanagan College has been nothing short of amazing. I could describe this college as "cozy" and extremely welcoming, I couldn't have picked a better college as an international student prone to culture shock.
Collins answered these questions prior to graduation.
Infrastructure and Computing Technology
Understand how to design, configure and support global integrated computing infrastructure, including secure local and cloud-based systems.
Discover your career options
Students will acquire the skills, attitude and knowledge to establish careers as technologists in the fields of computing and network infrastructure. Positions in these fields include:
- Systems Administrator
- Telecom and VoIP Technologist
- Cyber-security Specialist
- IoT Integrator
- Structured Cabling Technician
- Desktop Support Manager
- Network Infrastructure Analyst
- Wireless Communications Installer
- Virtualization Administrator
Technology is the future
Learn the technical skills and competencies required to solve challenges in the complex world around you. Develop design skills, problem-solving ability and applied techniques sought after by employers the world over.