Network Administration Technology program prepares students entering industry

Wesley Mariano

Wesley Mariano, with already over a decade of experience in his field, enrolled in Assiniboine College’s Network Administration Technology program. Leveraging his extensive background, he immersed himself in advanced coursework, gaining a more profound and nuanced understanding of his expertise.

Thanks to Wesley's extensive experience combined with the skills he acquired at Assiniboine, he was able to secure a position with Westman Communications Group even before graduating. As the Team Lead for the Technical Service Representative branch, Wesley now trains and mentors over a dozen TSR agents, ensuring they provide top-notch assistance to WCG customers.

Network Administrative Technology is a very well structured and up-to-date program. It prepared me in many ways to become a professional individual, in terms of honing my communication, technical, time management, and organizational skills. The instructors never stop searching for the latest technology currently utilized by companies and the industry, so that they can teach the necessary knowledge to prepare graduates to join the workforce. They were my mentors from the first day until I landed a job.

Wesley thrived under Assiniboine's "Learn By Doing" approach, finding that hands-on learning helped him retain knowledge more effectively. By actively configuring, testing, and troubleshooting the technology covered in the course, he was able to solidify his understanding and skills before returning to his career.

The labs and assignments really helped me to retain lessons in my head, especially the learnings from Microsoft, Cisco, and Linux. I’m able to apply those lessons now to my career where I’m handling different customers with various technical issues. The program is a great path to landing the career you want if you’re willing to put the work into it.

Diego Contreras

Diego was quickly selected by Pivotal Elements for his work practicum, where he will complete his Network Administration Technology Diploma as an IT Analyst. During his two-year program at Assiniboine College, Diego not only excelled academically but also joined the Cougars soccer team competing in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC).

In his role at Pivotal Elements, Diego takes a proactive approach to support all customers, effectively balancing communication and technical skills to address their unique needs. He begins each interaction with calm, professional communication and then applies his technical expertise to resolve issues and meet customer requirements.

My Time at Assiniboine College equipped me with essential skills to be successful as I transition into the workforce. The college’s emphasis on learning through hands-on demonstrations and laboratory work allowed for a dynamic, and enjoyable learning environment.

Diego attributes his success to the high quality of the program at Assiniboine, the excellent instructional guidance, and the relevance of the course material as it applies to real-world scenarios. With his blend of communication and technical skills, Diego will be a valuable asset to any team and the customers he serves.

The Network Administrative Technology program not only strengthened my technical skills, but also improved my ability to navigate and solve customer problems with empathy and professionalism.

Haithem Bouabdellah

Haithem came to Assiniboine College as an international student in the two-year Network Administration Technology program and quickly integrated into his class, forming connections with fellow students and instructors. He was an active participant in discussions about learning and technology, consistently contributing and absorbing information.

Selected by Compass Credit Union for his work practicum, Haithem has quickly impressed his team, effectively supporting the clients and customers who rely on the bank's services.

The Network Administration Technology program at Assiniboine not only provided me with specific and necessary knowledge that is used currently in the industry, but most importantly it got me into the mindset of a network administrator helping shape my way of thinking and tackling problems. The program helped me cultivate a lot of interpersonal skills, leadership skills, time management and so many other important skills–which are very much needed to succeed in this field.

To secure his position with Compass Credit Union, Haithem excelled in a competitive interview process. The "Learn by Doing" approach at Assiniboine, including mock interviews, equipped him with the soft skills needed to navigate the process successfully, allowing him to secure the position.

I personally believe Assiniboine College is one of the best places to learn about what it means to be a network administrator and sets on a successful path in your journey to a career in IT.