Recent CAT Network Administration Specialist alumni Nathan Taylor found employment in his chosen industry; in the middle of a pandemic, before he even left college!

When did you graduate from CAT?

Nathan Taylor: I graduated late September 2020 from the Network Administration Specialist program offered by College for Arts and Technology.

What has your employment journey looked like since graduating?

NT: I found work at QHR Technologies before leaving the program and started my position beginning a week after graduating.

You graduated during strange global times, how has Covid impacted your employment journey?

NT: Thus far, Covid has not impacted my employment journey. In my opinion tech jobs are flourishing and have become more important than ever, with everyone working from home.

My time at College for Arts and Technology has put me in a situation where I will be obtaining a promotion within 3 months of beginning my employment… I am able to solve more complicated issues than my peers and have become more self-sufficient in troubleshooting more complicated issues.

Nathan Taylor

Who are you currently working for, and what is your job title?

NT: I am currently working with QHR Technologies, and my job title is Customer Service Analyst with a Tech focus. I was recently selected to be moved to a Tech specialist focus come February.

Tell us about your current employer and how you found your job with them…

NT: QHR Technologies Inc. is a Canadian healthcare technology company, founded in 2000. It represents 20 percent of the country’s medical record market and its Medeo and AccuroEMR products are used by about 16,400 health professionals.

I found my job with QHR by looking at their website: https://qhrtechnologies.com/our-careers/

Talk us through your typical workday…

NT: I take calls from Medical professionals that are experiencing software problems. I search and create tickets, and document my implemented solutions. QHR Technologies is a very supportive team-based environment. There are people to help you if you are unable to solve an issue on your own.

How did your time at CAT help you prepare for your current role?

NT: My time at the Center for Arts and Technology has put me in a situation where I will be obtaining a promotion within 3 months of beginning my employment with QHR Technologies that would better serve the skills I have obtained at school. I am able to solve more complicated issues than my peers and have become more self-sufficient in troubleshooting more complicated issues.

What was your favorite thing about your time at CAT?

NT: My favorite thing about my time at the Center for Arts and Technology was the challenging projects we were given to simulate a real-world implementation of business networks.

What top tip/tips do you have for other NAS/NSS students?

NT: If you have the ability to focus on this course full-time with no part-time or full-time employment on the side, that would be best. The course is very fast-paced and will require much of your time.

Another tip I have is getting to know your peers and form a team environment; help each other out. You are all in this together and you are stronger as a team instead of as an individual.

What top tips would you give to people about network security in general?

NT: My top tips would be:

1. Never use the same password twice.
2. Ensure your passwords are at least 12 characters in length containing uppercase, lowercase, and symbols.
3. When possible always use multi-factor authentication.