From Centennial Student to Centennial IT Professional
When Raphael Tigno started Centennial College’s Computer Software Engineering Technology program, he looked forward to a web development career. But — after exposure to front-end development and multimedia during an integrated co-op opportunity — Tigno’s interests expanded. With Centennial’s flexible options, Tigno was able to easily complement his learnings in Software Engineering with a skill set in his new area of interest.
“After consulting with our program chair and program coordinator, I elected to graduate early with a Software Engineering Technician diploma,” he explains. “Then I enrolled in the College’s Interactive Media Management program.”
Tigno’s educational journey is an example of how convenient Centennial makes it for students whose goals change during their program to pivot. A number of three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma programs in the School of Engineering Technology and Applied Sciences (SETAS) allow students to graduate with an Ontario College Diploma after Year 2.
Once he entered the three-semester Interactive Management program, which prepares learners for various user experience design, project management and communications roles, Tigno augmented his skills and knowledge. He learned to develop digital strategy, create content and intuitive design interfaces, conduct user research, and execute digital projects.
“With my background in software engineering, web development courses, and co-op experience, I was better able to understand concepts in user experience (UX) design,” he says. “Many students’ dilemma after graduating from school is confidence. They don’t know if they are a fit for certain jobs because they haven’t applied their skills in a professional setting. During my co-op terms in both programs, I gained confidence and learned to market myself.”
Beyond co-op, Tigno says, Centennial encourages networking and collaboration in other ways. He points to the annual Technology Fair and Hiring Event. The SETAS-hosted event highlights student talent to industry. Exemplary capstone projects, for example, are entered into a competition judged by leading practitioners.
“Competing in this event gave me confidence to work with people of different backgrounds and skills levels, which is so important in Canada’s multicultural workforce,” Tigno says. “It was helpful for me not only on a professional level but also in my personal endeavours.”
Tigno’s experience in the two Centennial programs made him a prime candidate — but he didn’t have to go far to launch his career. After one semester in Interactive Media Management, Centennial’s Marketing and Creative Services department offered Tigno an Online Marketing Specialist role.
“What helped me to become a really great online marketing professional were things I learned in Interactive Media Management such as campaign targeting, creating campaign assets, and filming,” he says.
Five years into his role Tigno was ready to advance his career. But his Centennial journey wasn’t over yet. In May 2022, Tigno became a Senior DevOps Engineer in the College’s IT department. While his online marketing position required Tigno to lean on his Interactive Media Learnings, as a Senior DevOps Engineer he is once again recalling his web development courses and his Software Engineering Technology skill set.
“I find myself connected to Centennial’s mission, which is to be a social justice college,” says Tigno, who helps to develop and maintain Centennial’s enterprise resource planning software. “I really appreciate being in a work environment where we make an impact in my community. Centennial is doing that. It helps to make our community become better.”
Tigno’s dedication to making an impact also extends beyond the college. An advocate for the success and contributions of Filipino Canadians — which includes co-founding the music festival awards show, FilCan Music Awards — Tigno was recently recognized when he was nominated for a Premier’s Award.
Written By: Izabela Shubair