There is a unique energy on campus when the past meets the present. On March 25th, West Island College was thrilled to host our annual Alum Career Panel, bringing four distinguished graduates back to the classrooms where their journeys first began.
Moderated by Patrick Fequet, Senior Coordinator of Experiential Programming, the event was held for our Secondary 4 students – a group who will soon be navigating the exciting and sometimes daunting process of selecting their CEGEP programs and considering their paths beyond high school.
The panel represented a wide spectrum of industries, proving that a WIC education is a versatile launchpad. The speakers included Dr. Liana Corber ‘10, a Family Physician at Clinique MDCM; Julian Nasielski ‘11, a Level Designer at Ubisoft Montreal; Jillian Ohayon ‘10, a multi-talented Librettist, Actor, and Singer; and Justin Orleans ‘09, Assistant Vice President at Robert Half and a dedicated WIC Foundation Board Member.
The alums shared honest stories about the challenges of the ‘real world’ and how WIC prepared them, inspiring students to follow their passions and encouraging them to ask questions and seek advice during the event.
Liana’s advice was clear: ‘Trust yourself. Don’t plan too much. If you want something and work hard, anything is possible,’ urging students to believe in their own journeys.
Justin reminded the room that success often starts with a conversation. “Be loud about what you want,” he told the students. “When you speak up to the people who support you, opportunities naturally follow. If you keep your passions to yourself, no one can help you, so don’t be afraid to let your goals be known.”
One alum shared his transition from the sciences at CEGEP to a creative career in the gaming industry, admitting he initially felt ashamed of switching to the arts because of external expectations. For Julian, the move eventually led to his current role at Ubisoft. He urged students to advocate for their own interests: “There’s a lot of societal and external pressure when deciding your path. If you are passionate about something, you have to listen to that voice and pursue it.”
We extend a huge thank you to Liana, Julian, Jillian, and Justin for their time and for reminding our students that once a Voyageur, always a Voyageur.
