Ian McLeod gave a presentation at the Futures in Technology Conference in 2013 about leveraging learning over a career in IT. He discussed his own career journey, which began with a computer science degree in the 1970s focusing on programming languages with limited memory and no business courses. McLeod emphasized that formal education is never enough and that professionals should continuously learn, network, volunteer, and take opportunities to develop leadership and other skills outside of work. He argued that professionals make their own luck by preparing themselves and being ready when opportunities arise. McLeod also stressed the importance of professionalism in IT, which involves maintaining expertise, committing to ongoing learning, and adhering to ethical standards.

1. Leverage Your Learning
Futures in Technology Conference - 2013
Ian McLeod, CCP, I.S.P., ITCP
April 25th, 2013

2. Agenda
 Introductions
 30 years in review
 Why formal learning is never enough
 Opportunities
 Make your own luck
 The IT profession and professionalism
 Questions and comments
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3. About Douglas College
 Founded in 1970
 Major campuses in New Westminster and
Coquitlam
 President: Dr. Scott McAlpine
 14,255 credit students
 9,200 Continuing Education and Training Group
students
 1,000 international students
 Made an exceptionally good choice for their
CIO 3

4. About Ian McLeod
27/06/2013
Grew up on farm in
Saskatchewan
Attended University of
Regina
Computer Science
35 years in IT
Currently CIO of
Douglas College
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5. Computer Science in the 70s
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6. State of the Art Data Entry
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7. Computer Science degree was..
 Assembler BASIC
 Fortran COBOL
 RPG PL/1
 APL
Programs had to run in 16k of memory!
Finite Automata Theory
Calculus, calculus, and more calculus..
No business or administration courses
No team or group projects
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14 programming languages

8. Ian’s Career in one slide
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9. The jobs are even more interesting today..
Courtesy of Microsoft 9

10. More to life than just a job..
 Millennials expect a work/life balance
 What happens outside the work day is important to life
and career
 Giving back to the community and the profession works
both ways
 Learn and develop leadership and management skills
outside the job:
Scouts, Coaching, Big Brothers, etc.
Church
Professional associations
Volunteer organizations
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11. You Make Your Own Luck..
 The definition of luck offered by Seneca, who
wrote, just before not very efficiently killing
himself, that “Luck is what happens when
preparation meets opportunity.”
 To be the best candidate for that first (or next) job
you have to demonstrate more than education
 Keep resume up to date and never stop looking
for that next opportunity
 Network and volunteer
 Be a professional
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12. Professionalism is more than just a word
Is there a common understanding of the term
“ICT Professional”?
What describes an ICT Professional?
 possess a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding
of a relevant body of knowledge
 demonstrates on-going commitment to professional
development
 adheres to an agreed code of ethics/conduct
 through competent practice delivers value for
stakeholders
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13. Establishing a profession
27/06/2013 13
Four basic building blocks which are common across
professions
Body of Knowledge Competences
Education and Training Professional Ethics

14. CIPS – Since 1958
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15. Thank you
mcleodi1@douglascollege.ca