Each semester since 2014, CENGN welcomes a new group of students to the team, offering each an enriching learning experience that bridges the gap between skills learned in the classroom and hands-on experience necessary to be worker-ready in today’s top tech companies. This fall, six new and two returning students joined the Marketing, Human Resources, Cloud Infrastructure Engineering, and Customer Solutions Engineering departments. This cohort of students is currently studying at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Willis College, University of Waterloo, Lambton College, and Algonquin College.

This term, like the last, CENGN has equipped students to work entirely remotely, utilizing our cloud infrastructure to allow for the full placement experience while prioritizing safety. Over the first two days, to embody CENGN’s tight-knit and collaborative environment, students began with introductions to CENGN staff. Students were introduced to CENGN employees and processes through an interactive webinar starting with a welcome from the CEO himself, JC Fahmy.

The technical students continued to undergo an online self-paced two-week cloud networking boot camp, preparing for their comprehensive exam to earn the CENGN Cloud System Specialist (CCSS) certification. The CCSS certification is available through CENGN Academy but is free to CENGN student interns. It provides extensive training on cutting-edge technologies like Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, and OpenStack. This in-depth technical expertise will provide a foundation of credentials that, along with experience of working hands-on with our commercial-grade infrastructure, sets CENGN students up for a bright future.

• Julia Woodcock, a Systems Design Engineering student, says she’s “Keen to be part of a unique environment and have the opportunity to challenge herself and acquire useful technical experience.”
• Cybersecurity student Olukunle Ajao notes that he “Looks forward to acquiring skills in cloud infrastructural technologies and building strong professional networks while contributing to CENGN’s wealth of knowledgeable staff.”
• Computer Science student Jon Liu is looking forward to “The opportunity to network within Canada’s telecommunications sector.”

As the technical students embark on their boot camp training, the HR and Marketing students are settling into their teams, already learning the ins and outs of their respective roles.

• HR student Lauryn MacGillivray says she’s “Excited to be involved in the recruiting process and learning how CENGN’s staffing strategy fosters their values of belonging and collaboration.”
• In contrast, over in marketing, Interactive Multimedia and Design student Noreen Qureshi says she’s “Looking forward to working with the other students and creatives at CENGN this term,”
• Marketing student Sydney Hutchison says she’s “Eager to develop content strategies and work with a supportive and creative team.”

Over the next four months, these students will directly support CENGN’s mission to drive technology innovation and industry growth. On top of this, they will develop skills to be used and applied in their future careers.

Our interns finish their work term as trained networking professionals. To see if hiring a CENGN student alumni is right for your organization click here!

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About the Author

Sydney Hutchison is the Content Marketing Specialist student at CENGN (Fall 2020) and a Commerce student at the University of Ottawa concentrating in Marketing. Her passion is collaborating with motivated people to create inspiring and intriguing content surrounding any topic. In her spare time, Sydney is the co-president of DECA uOttawa and enjoys graphic

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