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Victor Tsang

Victor Tsang
Computer Information Systems Diploma
Graduated with Co-operative Education
designation in Fall 2006

Victor Tsang joined the Co-op program in Fall 2005, and graduated from Douglas College with a Computer Information Systems Diploma with Co-op Education designation in Fall 2006. He completed four work terms with two different organizations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as a Computer Assistant, and Finning Canada as a Software Inventory Co-ordinator.

Victor was asked why he had applied for Co-op and he replied, "I wanted to acquire practical experience from what I learned at Douglas College. I think joining Co-op is an important step in transforming your field of study into your profession." When Victor first joined the Co-op program, he was thinking about his future and expected to work for a year, gain experience and then move on to obtaining a decent job after graduation and here he was working for Finning Canada, the largest Caterpillar distributor in the world.

Victor's current position is a new position in which his major responsibilities include designing databases and web interfaces to manage all company software, conducting tests and researching new software, and monitoring the performance of computers' applications.

"The resume and cover letter writing and interview skills workshops that the Co-op office arranged has helped me prepare for my work terms. The resume and cover letter writing workshop taught me how to highlight my skills and strengths on my resume, so my profile would stand out from other applications" responds Victor when asked about how the Co-op office was able to prepare him for the job search process. The interview skills workshop provided Victor with tips about the kind of questions he was to expect from interviews, and it helped to build his confidence during the job interview.

After working at two distinctive Co-op placements, Victor learned that to become an IT professional, communication skills are very important. He learned that being an IT professional is not only about one's computer knowledge; in many situations, he also had to write business proposals and reports to his supervisor, create user manuals and instructions for his clients, and on occasion, present project ideas to his colleagues as well. This experience helped Victor dramatically improve his English writing and speaking skills.

When Victor Tsang was asked about his own experience with joining Co-op, his response was "Joining Co-op is about planning for your long term goals and the future. When you look at job postings nowadays, all the decent jobs require at least 1 to 2 years of related working experience. If you can get that `under your belt', the chances of getting your desired job will be much higher."

Victor wants future and potential students to know that the Co-op program doesn't receive the recognition and credit that it deserves. The Co-op program is an essential part of a student's post-secondary study as well as his/her career preparation.