You can never learn too much - and if you’re Mirza, the faster your studies lead to work experience, the better.
Mirza, a student in the Architectural Technology Advanced Diploma program, decided to come to Mohawk College after completing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Guelph to get some hands-on experience.
After spending some time working in the manufacturing industry, Mirza realized it wasn’t the right fit for him. “I was working at Toyota for some time, and it was near the end of 2020 when I decided I wanted to pursue further education in the field of architecture,” says Mirza.
He chose to study at Mohawk College to be with family. “I was influenced by my younger brother, who's also a student at Mohawk,” says Mirza. “I heard lots of good reviews and he’s enjoyed his experience so far. I thought it was the right move for me.”
Mirza decided to enroll in the Architectural Technology program. “By the time I enrolled, I had missed the window for the September intake and couldn’t get into the Fall semester, so I started in January,” says Mirza. “It was a bit of a life saver, otherwise I would have had to wait 8 months to a year to get started.”
As a student in the January intake, Mirza went on to complete his second semester during the summer, when many students are on break. He has found this allows for a fluid and continuous learning experience. “There are many benefits to starting in the January intake, especially if you are a student coming right out of high school,” he says. “You’ll be completing the program on a roll without any breaks in between semesters, so everything you learn will stay fresh in your memory.”
Mirza is preparing to complete a co-op position and gain hands-on experience working in the field. “I’m looking forward to learning some new skills that are outside of what I’ve been exposed to through my studies,” he says. “When you couple what you’ve learned from both, you’ll be more than prepared to go out and start working in whichever field you want to.”
He recommends considering a January intake for any students who feel they would benefit from uninterrupted learning. “Now that I’ve actually experienced it myself, I can say that I benefited from not having the summer off,” he says. “I feel it’s much easier to just finish your program in one go rather than taking a break in between.”
Mirza is thankful for the opportunities the Architectural Technology program has presented so far, and he has advice to share with future students. “Don’t be shy to come forward,” says Mirza. “Come forward if you need help or if you need to ask any questions, be open about it. There are people here that are always willing to help you.”
Mirza came to Mohawk College with a goal, to get the skills and work experience to pursue a career in architectural technology. He feels the January co-op intake was the perfect option for him to achieve that goal. “I’m excited for my co-op term and I’m sure after the term, I’ll have a better understanding of the field I’m in,” he says.
