Meet Mathieu
What was your last career change?
In June 2022, I was given the opportunity to take on the role of Chief Information Security Officer on an interim basis. In August 2023, I was proud to be nominated permanently for the position.
What made it successful?
There are so many factors to mention … but four factors have played a bigger role for me over the past few years:
- My colleagues
Many people have encouraged me and believed in me since my arrival at the University. They have taught me and encouraged me rather than focusing their attention on the errors or mistakes I have made. These people are crucial contributing factors for me because they gave me confidence and made me believe that they would help me get back up if I fell. I’ve felt the support from these colleagues at every level of IT: institutional, in the infrastructure or IT Solutions teams, and also in faculties.
- Communication
In 2023, it’s crucial for IT professionals to develop their ability to communicate clearly. Communication involves listening to others, being able to summarize what you’ve understood, and sometimes being able to convince, as well as being able to rally and inspire others. This is something that has helped me a lot in recent years.
- Collaboration
We’ve heard a lot in recent years about the need for the University and IT to “break the silos.” This is an important challenge for all of us, and I think I have a natural ability to collaborate, trust and share with others.
- Agility
Finally, agility has enabled me to adapt to whatever comes my way, and to see individual and collective improvement as a continuous cycle of small successes and failures. It’s a quality that has always served me well.
In conclusion, I could also mention other elements such as my curiosity about a multitude of subjects, my ability to compromise and negotiate, and my passion for IT and cybersecurity!
What advice would you give to someone considering a career change?
IT has set up a job shadowing program. It’s a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of the responsibilities of a job you’re interested in, and to engage in conversation with someone who’s already doing it.
It’s also about identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and then acting on those weaknesses to overcome them. Communicate your ambitions to those around you and demonstrate through your actions what you’re doing to learn the skills you need.
The most important thing is to faces challenges, to go for it and not to be afraid of failure. We all have the qualities and skills to succeed in whatever we undertake.
How can colleagues help someone transition into their new responsibilities?
Positively encourage your colleagues: support them when they express doubts and be there to celebrate their success.
Networking is also important. If you know someone who can help your colleague make the transition, don’t hesitate to put them in contact.
What do you look forward to in your day?
The people! Every day, I leave work having spent a day meeting people who inspire me to be the best I can be.
Sometimes, when I find the day a little more challenging, I cheer myself up by remembering the role and impact that the University has on Canadian society. There’s no place in Canada that has a greater impact on future generations than a campus!
If you were a chocolate bar, which one would you be?
M&M Dark Chocolate Bar… Chocolate full of surprises!
What ingredient should never be found on a pizza?
I’m going to make a lot of people laugh: tofu!
What three items would you bring if you were shipped to a deserted island?
- The biggest paper book I’ll never manage to read unless I’m on a desert island. Probably one of Yuval Noah Harari’s books.
- My best green tea at the moment, probably a good quantity of Sencha Shizu, and an equally good quantity of Genmaicha.
- My swimsuit: in any film or TV series with a “desert island” theme, you always end up realizing that the island isn’t as deserted as you thought … :)