Inside the Microsoft Network & Security Administrators AEC Program

About the Teacher

• Peter, can you tell us a bit about your background in IT and how you got into teaching?
  • My background was the automotive field. When I finished high school in the late 80s, I didn’t know what to do so I fell into what I liked to do which was play with cars. My brother was in IT while I was in the automotive field, and I was always interested in what he was doing. He explained that he was a network administrator and invited me to shadow him for a while to see if I’d enjoy it. I got hooked right away and followed the IT path by returning to school as an adult learner taking a one-year accelerated program. I fell into teaching by chance and have not regretted a moment of it. There was a short contract open at Heritage College, and I was recommended to apply. They hired me in January of 1997, and I’ve been here ever since.
• What motivated you to join the program at CEGEP Heritage College as an instructor?
  • When I completed my schooling and began teaching, it was only part time. At that time, I started a small business doing computer consulting. This gave me an opportunity to work on a wide range of tech related issues. One day I may be helping someone install an application, another may be installing network cabling and servers for a small business. All this experience has paved the way for me to gather knowledge and confidence in my abilities to teach technology. I returned to school as an adult learner myself, so I am fully aware of what my students go through. Returning to school is not an easy decision or one that should be taken lightly. For a student to return to school and succeed they must dedicate time to learn and practice. I make every effort to maintain a work-life balanced for the students, encouraging them to have family time which is very important. The program is one calendar year which means I get to know my students on a personal level and seeing them complete the program and start a new career is the best part of my job.
•  What do you enjoy most about working with adult learners who are looking to switch careers or level up their skills?
  • When I completed my schooling and began teaching, it was only part time. At that time, I started a small business doing computer consulting. This gave me an opportunity to work on a wide range of tech related issues. One day I may be helping someone install an application, another may be installing network cabling and servers for a small business. All this experience has paved the way for me to gather knowledge and confidence in my abilities to teach technology. I returned to school as an adult learner myself, so I am fully aware of what my students go through. Returning to school is not an easy decision or one that should be taken lightly. For a student to return to school and succeed they must dedicate time to learn and practice. I make every effort to maintain a work-life balanced for the students, encouraging them to have family time which is very important. The program is one calendar year which means I get to know my students on a personal level and seeing them complete the program and start a new career is the best part of my job.

Career & Purpose

• What kinds of jobs are graduates prepared for after completing this AEC?
  • There are many titles associated with the types of jobs available to students upon graduation. Titles like Network Administrator, Network Analyst, Systems Administrator, Support Technician, Network Support Technician and more are similar in the field for this program. Students can expect to work on a wide range of jobs from supporting desktops, configuring networks, installing operating systems, managing and maintaining servers and managing authentication just to name a few. The list of potential jobs for students is quite extensive and can be found in the private sector, public sector and self-employment.

• How in-demand are these skills in today’s job market, especially in the Ottawa–Gatineau region?
  • The demand for IT has always been high and the need for people to manage technology continues to grow. Ottawa-Gatineau is a technology rich community with many large and small companies looking for people with the skills to manage their enterprise. Kanata, which is 40 minutes from the college, is home to many tech-based companies that continue to grow. As we know, Ottawa-Gatineau is home to the federal government which over the years, has employed many students from Heritage College.

• What kind of salary range can new grads expect in their first IT role?
  • As a new graduate of the Microsoft Network and Security Administrator program, you can expect a starting salary between $50,000 and $80,000. The potential for salary growth once employed can grow significantly. Acquiring additional certifications and gaining hands-on experience can help accelerate your career.

• Are employers looking for exactly this kind of applied training when they hire?
  • The Microsoft Network and Security Administrator program offers a variety of different technical opportunities for students. The program builds a solid foundation for students by covering a wide range of topics like system administration, networking, security, account management and more. Students will have the opportunity to explore various career choices rather than being confined to just one area. Employers like the diversity a program like this offers as it allows the company to make use of many skills the graduate has acquired.

About the Program

• For someone new to IT, how would you describe what this program covers?
  • The program covers the basics of computer hardware where students will learn the components of a computer, take it apart and rebuild it. Students will learn the fundamentals of networking and cloud computing. During the program students will install Windows client and server operating systems and configure them to communicate with each other and the Internet. The program will show how to secure systems and data and control access to resources. We’ve all been in environments that have computers, and we use them ourselves daily. Have you ever wondered what the computer connects to on the other end? The program will teach not only the computer end but how the servers in the “back room” are used to control communication.
• What kind of hands-on experience do students get during the year?
  • Throughout the program, students are encouraged to get as much hands-on experience as possible. Most of us can’t apply a practical solution based on theoretical knowledge. For that reason, labs are assigned on a regular basis to allow the students the opportunity to put into practice what was taught. Within the program, there are 3 main projects that allow students to demonstrate their skills in a teacher evaluated self-paced environment. The final course of the program is a 150-hour self-paced project that encompasses much of what was learned throughout the entire program. It provides the students with an opportunity to revisit material covered at the beginning of the program, through to the end. Many students use the final project as “work experience” on their resumes..
• Is this program suitable for people without prior experience in tech?
  • This program offers students of all skill levels an opportunity to learn technology. You do not have to be a “computer whiz” to take the Microsoft Network and Security Administrator program. The progress of the program begins at a beginner’s pace providing returning students with the opportunity to adjust to life as a student again. It slowly ramps up as the program continues building on the knowledge previously learned. The program is broken into a few main technological components to make it easier for students to understand the material being taught. I’ve had students who said they were afraid to touch a computer and successfully completed the program.
• How do you help students build confidence with complex tools and systems?
  • The best way to build confidence is to apply knowledge. Through a variety of live demonstrations, instructions and labs, students will build the confidence to tackle any problem while developing strong research skills. Many of the labs presented throughout the program can be completed from home and can be repeated several times to reinforce the task. Additionally, I try to make myself available as much as possible to assist after hours if a student is stuck on a topic.
• What certifications or credentials do students leave with after completing the program?
  • ​​​​​​​After completing the program, students will obtain an Attestation of College Studies. This AEC is a recognized accreditation that provides the opportunity to obtain a new career in IT or be considered for promotion within a company. Although not required, students are encouraged to obtain industry recognized certifications within the field of studies.

Student Experience

• What’s your teaching style like in this program?
  • To start with, I really enjoy teaching. When you enjoy what you do and have a passion for education, this comes out in your teaching methods. I try to be dynamic while in the classroom and engage students as much as possible. Patience is key when delivering more challenging topics and finding a variety of ways to get the topic across can be challenging. I am very patient with my students and always encourage questions. I would say that my teaching style is relaxed allowing the students to feel comfortable in the classroom. Students learn a lot and have fun doing it.
•  How do you help students stay motivated and engaged throughout the year?
  • As an adult learner, it is tough to focus all your attention on school when you have responsibilities outside class. I understand that and do the best I can to keep students focused and motivated while in class. Listening to the students and encouraging them along the way is key. One of the ways to keep students motivated is through hands-on practical applications. When students can see the result of the theory put into practice, this encourages them. We have labs during virtually every course in the program to help the students better understand the technology.
• Can you share a student success story that stands out to you?
  • Picking one student’s success is a challenge since I’ve had so many over the years. Students come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. I had one student in my program who was as arborist. His job before taking the program was to care for trees, shrubs and plants. You could not ask for a profession more different than IT. Upon graduation from my program, he secured a position within a leading accounting firm as a junior network administrator. Over the next several years he worked his way up within the organization to become a National Director in IT and then eventually an Associate Partner. He has since moved on from that position and has joined Microsoft as an Executive Advisor

Final Thoughts

• What advice would you give someone considering a career change into IT?
  • My advice to anyone looking to change careers into IT would be to simply go for it. I made that decision myself almost 30 years ago and it was the best decision I’ve made. I know firsthand how challenging it is to return to school as an adult learner and how scary it might seem sometimes. In the end for me, it was focusing on a better career and a way out of my previous career path. If you can commit 1 year to the program, it could make a difference in your future.
•  Why is now a great time to enter the field?
  • The IT field is constantly changing as new technologies are always being developed. The technology field remains an in-demand field with opportunities for self-employment, small business to large business support. Technology is virtually everywhere and there is always a need to find qualified people to support it. When is the last time you did not see technology being used? From personal devices to home networks to small and large networks, IT is the backbone of communication.
• What’s one thing you wish more people knew about this program?
  • The program from start to finish is 1 year (1200 hours). You can start the program in the fall one year and complete the program the following fall. The schedule is very accommodating at 8:30 – 2:00 Monday to Friday. There are no late afternoon, night or weekend classes. This allows students to continue to work in the afternoons or evenings if required. ​​​​​​​