What was your last career change?
My last career change was a transition from IT Support Analyst to Intermediate Analyst in Application Support. In my previous role at the university, I was responsible for addressing technical issues, managing support tickets, and ensuring smooth day-to-day IT operations for staff and students. I focused on providing technical assistance and troubleshooting hardware and software problems. Now, I’ve moved into a more specialized position where I support business applications, contribute to process improvements, and help optimize user experience through application functionality. This change reflects my growth in technical expertise and my interest in aligning IT solutions more closely with business needs.
What made it successful?
The success of my career transition was driven by a combination of technical experience, adaptability, and continuous learning. Before joining University of Ottawa, I worked as an Application Support Analyst for the Central Bank of Haiti, where I managed Oracle and SQL databases, administered Linux-based application servers, and supported mission-critical systems. This experience gave me a strong foundation in enterprise-level application environments and database management.
In my previous university role, I built on that foundation by addressing technical issues, managing support tickets, and providing hands-on assistance to users. These combined experiences helped me develop both the technical and interpersonal skills needed for success in my new position.
What truly made the transition successful was my proactive approach to learning, my ability to adapt to new tools and environments, and the support I received from my team and leadership. I was able to quickly understand the business needs and align IT solutions accordingly, which has helped me contribute meaningfully from the start.
What was the biggest challenge in adapting to your new role?
The biggest challenge in adapting to my new role was getting familiar with new systems, processes, and organizational expectations. Even though I had prior experience in application support at the Central Bank of Haiti supporting business and financial applications at the Central Bank of Haiti, and now working in application support at uOttawa, each organization operates differently.
In this new role, I had to quickly understand how internal applications are structured, how teams collaborate, and how priorities are managed. Adapting to these differences while maintaining performance and delivering value was a challenge, but it helped me grow professionally and become more agile in my approach.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career change?
My advice to someone considering a career change is to embrace the opportunity for growth and trust in their ability to adapt. Career transitions can be challenging, but they often lead to meaningful development—both professionally and personally. It’s important to reflect on your strengths, identify transferable skills, and remain open to learning new ones.
In my case, the transition is made smoother thanks to the support and vision of our IT leadership team. My managers and colleagues are excellent collaborators, and I feel welcomed and supported within the team. At uOttawa, the IT board including senior executives actively promotes internal mobility and professional development. They foster a culture where team members are encouraged to grow, take on new challenges, and build long-term careers within the organization.
For anyone considering a career change, I recommend seeking out environments that recognize potential and invest in their people. With the right mindset and support, a career change can be a powerful and rewarding step forward.
How can colleagues help someone transition into their new responsibilities?
Colleagues play a key role in helping someone successfully transition into a new role by offering guidance, collaboration, and encouragement. One of the most valuable forms of support is sharing uOttawa knowledge whether it's about systems, processes, or team dynamics. This helps the person quickly understand their new environment and feel more confident in their responsibilities.
Open communication and a willingness to collaborate also make a big difference. When colleagues take time to answer questions, provide context, or involve the new team member in projects, it fosters a sense of inclusion and accelerates learning.
At our organization, this kind of support is part of a broader culture promoted by the IT leadership team. They encourage internal growth and mobility, and colleagues are empowered to help one another succeed. This not only strengthens individual transitions but also helps retain talent and build a more resilient team.
What do you look forward to in your day?
What I look forward to most in my day is the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the team and support users through technology. Whether it's solving a complex issue, improving an application workflow, or collaborating with colleagues, I enjoy the variety and impact of my work. Each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, which keeps me engaged and motivated.
I also appreciate the collaborative environment at uOttawa. Working with a supportive team and knowing that leadership values internal growth makes a big difference. It’s rewarding to be part of a workplace where innovation, teamwork, and professional development are encouraged.
If you were a chocolate bar, which one would you be?
If I were a chocolate bar, I’d be a Kinder Bueno. It’s smooth, layered, and full of surprises just like the work I do in application support. Kinder Bueno combines a crisp shell, creamy filling, and rich chocolate, which reflects how I bring together technical skills, user-focused thinking, and a collaborative spirit. It’s a great balance of substance and approachability.
(In a professional context)
If were a chocolate bar, I’d probably be a KitKat, always ready to give others a break and support the team.
What ingredient should never be found on a pizza?
While pizza is all about creativity, some ingredients just don’t belong on a slice especially ones that overpower the flavor or clash with the texture. Canned tuna tends to be too salty, too fishy, and doesn’t pair well with melted cheese or tomato sauce. It’s one of those toppings that’s better left for a sandwich.
(In a professional context)
"Conflict." Because no matter how you slice it, a team works best when everyone’s on the same page, just like a well-made pizza.
What three items would you bring if you were shipped to a deserted island?
- Water purifier
- Solar-powered flashlight
- Emergency shelter tent
What’s the single most important thing someone can do to stay secure online?
Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
Do you have recommended training or reading about Cybersecurity?
I would recommend reading Metasploit (The Penetration Tester’s Guide), How to hack like a Ghost (Breaching the cloud) and Black Hat Python (Python Programming for Hackers and Pentesters) and for training Cybrary North-East courses and hands on labs.
What is your preferred Cybersecurity tip?
“Think Before You Click” as Phishing emails often look legitimate. Always verify links and attachments before clicking, especially if the message feels urgent or suspicious.
What are some of the latest cybersecurity threats that staff should know about?
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): Ransomware is evolving into a service model, allowing even low-skilled attackers to launch sophisticated attacks.
Quantum Computing Threats: Emerging quantum capabilities could break traditional encryption methods. So, we need to be prepared for post-quantum cryptography to protect sensitive data at uOttawa.
AI-Driven Deepfake Fraud: Attackers use AI to impersonate executives in video calls, leading to massive financial losses.