Education | Enterprise Architecture in Higher Education

Motivation at a Glance – Resource Site

education, leadership, management, personal No Responses »

Feb 212011

In the fall, I took the Syracuse University iSchool course IST 617 – Motivational Aspects of Information Use taught by Dr Ruth Small. Our main project was to research and write a description of a motivational theory.

I selected Canadian Victor Vroom’s Expectancy Theory. My assignment has now been posted to the Motivation at a Glance website : https://sites.google.com/site/motivationataglanceischool/vroom-s-expectancy-theory

If you are looking for information about motivational theories and resources the Motivation at a Glance site is excellent! Hope you find it valuable.

Taking the Next Step in My Education

education, enterprise architecture, leadership, management 2 Responses »

Aug 042010

Since I completed both the UBC Sauder School of Business – Certificate in Management Excellence and the Carnegie Mellon Institute of Software Research International – Certified Enterprise Architect program, I have been looking to take the next step in my education. Here is an older post where I asked “What Masters Program should I choose?“ I now have an answer to my question!

I applied for and received funding from my employer, BCIT to pursue a graduate level degree. With the funding approved, I applied to the Masters of Science in Information Management Program at Syracuse University’s iSchool. Last week, I received my formal letter of acceptance! I will begin my program in September 2010. It has been a very long time since I have been in a formal education program. It should be an interesting ride. I will be continuing my day job and will be taking most of the program online. I am looking forward to a trip or two to Syracuse University and will now cheer for the Orange!!

Here is a video about the program:

I will regularly post my progress on this blog. Wish me luck!

Mentorship … we need to do more of this

education, leadership, personal No Responses »

Feb 232010

I was fortunate to be asked to participate as a mentor to a Computer Systems student in our Bachelor of Technology program this fall. This is a real honour and something that I value having the opportunity to do.

I graduated from BCIT in 1987 and the skills taught me by my instructors and my classmates set the tone for my career. Thanks to the BCIT Alumni Association and the BCIT Student Association for this opportunity.

Below is an interview I gave in the student newspaper, The Link:

Interview: BCIT Mentor Leo de Sousa

February 18, 2010 by thelinknewspaper

Leo de Sousa may have a background in IT Services, but his advice on life – and how to balance – it can translate to students in any field

Long days. Late nights. Extra hours. Group projects. Debt.

BCIT students have a, shall we say, unique experience. For many, it’s the toughest period of their lives. Following dreams and getting credential many times means going in the hole financially and giving up life as you know it to pursue studies. It’s a big step, a big risk; you name it.

One of the best things a student can do is to talk to someone who has already experienced the very same life. Learning to cope and making adjustments can be hard to think of, but what I’ve found helps the most is talking to someone who can shed some light on what they would have done differently as a student.

So, meet Leo de Sousa. He’s a Computer Systems grad of 1987, and went on to work various jobs including for the Lions Gate Hospital (which he was offered upon graduation) and the Forest Industry. He made his way back to BCIT in 1992, and has been working in the Information Technology Services department since. His current title is the Manager of the Business Application Services and Enterprise Architecture, which also means he is in a position to hire.

Our chat was very informative, and although I feel my choice of BCIT studies (broadcast journalism) is almost the polar opposite to CST, what de Sousa said really inspired me to get better at balancing life at BCIT.

How did your time as a BCIT student help you in your future endeavours?

BCIT makes you focused on the skills you need to be successful, especially in your first job. What we did – and I think it’s still true today – we worked in teams all the time. You really start to build not only hard working skills for yourself but team work skills. If you’re a letter carrier, delivering to people’s homes, maybe you’re not on a team. But pretty much everywhere else, especially for the jobs and the skills BCIT trains their graduates for; you’re always in a team environment. So it was perfect for that. Read more...