“Big firms, small firms: they all require this skill set” – Edison Sie
Computing Flexible Learning instructor Edison Sie teaches the 12-week part time COMP 3682: Microsoft Cloud Server Administration. He tells us why this is an essential IT skill set, and what he loves about this area of tech, in this Q&A.
Q: Tell us about the Microsoft Cloud Server Administration course?
COMP 3682 covers a range of MS SQL Database and MS Windows Server management skills for the cloud.
We do a lot of lab simulation, trying things out and getting to know what the environment looks like. I think that’s the best way to learn, in a replication of the real-world work environment.
The course takes a specific cloud focus. Conventional server courses don’t really touch on cloud. But realistically a lot of companies adopt cloud, so each traditional server concept has a cloud equivalent. In our case the focus is on Microsoft Azure.
From the beginning I worked with Computing Flexible Learning Program Head Kevin Cudihee, who conceptualized the course and identified learning outcomes he wanted. Where we landed – covering technical administration and best practices of both MS Windows and MS SQL Server, and their equivalents in the Azure ecosystem, together in one hands-on course – I think helps future-proof the skill set.
COMP 3682 is a required course in the Applied Database Administration and Design (ADAD) Associate Certificate, and an elective in the Computer Systems Technology (CST FLEX) Diploma.
Q: Who is the course designed for?
Folks in the class are typically early or mid-stage career IT and database management (DBM) and network admin professionals, but we also have a fair number of people making a career pivot.
They’re at that point saying ‘hey, I don’t like what I do right now. I want to try someone else, I want to learn something new.’ So I enjoy being able to not only teach the curriculum, but also offer some career advice! In my own career I’ve worn a lot of different hats.
I think the most important thing is for students to be inquisitive. They not only need some technical background to thrive in the course, but they need curiosity. Our case study assignments are very situational: we delve into responding to things that come up, that essential business component to decision-making.
Q: How do organizations benefit from professionals with these skills?
Honestly, any organization, every organization needs it. All organizations need IT and have a server management component – big firms, small firms: they all require this skill set.
Technical students might think the course is all about networking ports, server infrastructure, policy names, and that kind of thing. Some of it is technical, but a lot of it is situational. Your boss might ask you how would you approach a situation, what might you implement? It’s all business-related. There’s a cost factor to it.
Q: What is exciting about where your students are headed?
What I love about this part of IT is the range of opportunities, and the skills in COMP 3682 represent the first step.
Professionals who pursue these topics have a wealth of roles open to them, in cloud or on servers. They frequently begin as IT or systems analyst, but with additional education, their careers could lead to systems engineering and architecture, tech consultancy, database analyst moving into architect, cybersecurity analyst and security engineer. There are so many ways to take your career; I’ve now moved into infrastructure risk.
This course opens the door and is an intermediate step to eventually pursuing all these areas.
Q: What drew you to teaching in Computing?
I’d always been curious about teaching, and I ended up connecting with BCIT through hiring co-op students. Then I had the chance to supervise a team of computing students in their Industry Sponsored Student Project (ISSP).
I was really impressed with the students, especially an MS PowerAutomate and PowerApps project we worked on, an automated workflow with user interface for onboarding employees. The students were smart, and I enjoyed engaging with them, so I decided to see if I could deepen the connection.
Q: How do you keep up with a changing industry?
Working in technology involves constant learning. I think the pursuit of learning never stops, and that’s part of what makes it exciting.
Learn more about teaching for BCIT Computing
About Computing Flexible Learning
Kevin Cudihee, Program Head for Computing Flexible Leaning and Industry Training: “We parallel many of the full-time BCIT Computing diploma courses and create offerings with the latest in-demand technologies and tools. Listening to students, instructors, and industry provides valuable input on current skills required for our graduates. I continually scan the market to fill needs with new courses, and then I recruit local IT industry experts to teach at night and on weekends.”
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