What is your role working in Information Technology?
I work as IT asset management assistant (RTE-COOP) within the Research IT team. My role mainly involves supporting the team in inventorying the IT equipment used by researchers and research groups at the university. This includes planning visits to laboratories, collecting data on equipment (model, serial number, status, etc.), updating TOPDesk, and communicating with professors and researchers to ensure accuracy.
What degree are you currently pursuing?
I am currently completing a bachelor’s degree in software engineering at the University of Ottawa, and I am a part of the co-op program.
What did people in your group do to help you integrate into the group and help get you started on the activities assigned to you?
From the very beginning, we participated in several training sessions to facilitate our integration. We took a customer service training course, attended the IT orientation session, and completed the “Health and Safety—Laboratory Access” training course. These activities gave us a better understanding of the expectations associated with our role, the laboratory access procedures, and the best practices for communicating with professors. In addition, our supervisor provided us with practical support during our first tasks, which allowed us to familiarize ourselves with tools such as TOPDesk and inventory processes. The entire IT team was also very welcoming and helpful. Their willingness to answer our questions and share their expertise greatly facilitated our integration.
What are your main responsibilities in your position in Information Technology?
My main responsibilities consist of conducting an inventory of IT assets in research laboratories. This includes scheduling visits with professors, collecting detailed information on equipment (model, serial number, type, etc.), and documenting the checks performed. I also liaise with faculty members to confirm the location and condition of equipment, ensuring the reliability of the data collected. This work requires rigour, organization, and effective communication with various stakeholders.
What do you like about your job in this work term?
What I particularly appreciate about this internship is the practical nature of the work and the diversity of the tasks. Being able to go out into the field, interact with different members of the faculty, and contribute directly to a major project for the university makes the experience very rewarding. I also like the team’s open-mindedness: everyone is approachable, attentive, and willing to share their knowledge. This atmosphere of collaboration and mutual respect makes the work even more enjoyable and motivating. Finally, we are given a lot of autonomy, which allows me to develop my rigour, my organizational skills, and my ability to take initiative, while knowing that I can always count on the team’s support if I encounter difficulties or have questions.
What skillsets have you developed since working in Information Technology?
This internship allowed me to develop my professional communication skills, particularly in terms of interacting with professors and planning visits. I also improved my organizational and attention to detail skills by managing multiple tasks at once while following specific procedures. On a technical level, I learned to better recognize and document different types of computer equipment and to work with tools such as Excel for asset tracking and TOPDesk.
Why did you apply for this position in Information Technology?
I applied for this position because I wanted to gain my first practical professional experience in the field of Information Technology. This internship represented an opportunity for me to broaden my technical and organizational skills, while discovering how a large structure such as the university’s IT department operates. The position offers a good balance between independent work, field trips, and human interaction. It also allowed me to contribute to a project that was useful to the university community, which I found motivating and rewarding. In addition, it was a stimulating learning environment where I could develop new skills while familiarizing myself with asset management issues.
What is it like working in your group in Information Technology?
I find working within my group very motivating and enjoyable. The atmosphere is positive and there is a strong team spirit. The team members are respectful, approachable, and always willing to offer help when needed. I feel listened to, encouraged, and comfortable asking questions or requesting support, which is very reassuring. This collaborative atmosphere promotes learning and makes me want to invest myself fully in my work. Knowing that my tasks have a concrete impact and are part of a collective project gives meaning to what I do on a daily basis. Working in this environment has allowed me to develop more self-confidence, while learning from other team members.
What did you learn that you expect you can transfer into your next job opportunity?
I have learned to work independently while following specific procedures, which is essential in any professional environment. I have also strengthened my communication skills, particularly in formal settings with professors, managers, and technical colleagues, where it is important to be clear, professional, and respectful in one’s interactions.
In addition, rigour in data collection and documentation, time management during laboratory visits, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen situations are all transferable skills that I will be able to reuse in my future jobs, regardless of the field. This internship also allowed me to improve my organizational skills and my ability to follow priorities.
What’s the best part of working in Information Technology?
The best part of this job is the feeling of usefulness and of making a concrete contribution to a project that is important for the university. Being actively involved in inventorying the IT equipment in the research laboratories allows me to see the direct impact of my work.
What I also particularly appreciate is the opportunity to discover new IT tools and equipment that we don’t usually see. Each laboratory visit is an opportunity to learn more about the technical environments used by the research teams. We also have the chance to meet experts with many years of experience, with whom we regularly interact. These interactions are very enriching, both professionally and personally.
Finally, the working environment, which combines autonomy, collaboration, and kindness, makes this experience even more motivating and enjoyable.