From SLC Student to Technology Leader

Submitted by Michael Carter, Faculty & Program Coordinator, Computer Systems Technician program 
 
Behind every smooth login and reliable network connection is a dedicated IT professional. In recognition of IT Professionals Day, we are spotlighting Holden Smalbill, Director of Technology at Alliance Security and Communications, Kingston, and graduate of SLC’s Computer Networking and Technical Support program in 2015 (now called Computer Systems Technician.) From mentoring student placements and serving on SLC’s Professional Advisory Committee (PAC), to building innovative technology solutions, Holden reflects on his career, the value of hands-on learning, and the technologies shaping the future of the industry. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in information technology, and what do you 
enjoy most about working in the field today? 
I have always loved taking things apart, computers especially. In high school one of my teachers introduced me to programming, and that is where the taking things apart became something I wanted to do for a living. From there I did a co-op placement at a datacentre before college. I went into Computer Networking and Technical Support at SLC intending to go into security but fell in love with datacentre operations instead. After 15 years, solving problems is still what attracts me to IT. I'm most interested in servers, hosting and Linux, and love new projects and technology such MeshCore, mostly just to see what it can do. 

IT professionals often work behind the scenes to keep organizations running smoothly. Can you share a project or accomplishment that you are particularly proud of? 
One accomplishment I am especially proud of is my consulting work at Weehooey, where I supported organizations across industries ranging from retail, manufacturing, public works and infrastructure, internet providers, aerospace, higher education and scientific research. Working with the same core datacentre technologies in such different environments provided a unique perspective and taught me a great deal about how technology supports diverse operational needs. 
I'm also proud of the automation solutions I developed at Alliance. By replacing long-standing manual processes, these tools have reduced workloads across multiple divisions, improved efficiency and made day-today operations easier for my colleagues. 

You play an important role in hosting student placements. Why is it important to you to support the next generation of IT professionals, and what do you hope students gain from their placement experience? 
Supporting students has always been important to me. Long before I began hosting placements, I was a peer tutor in high school and discovered how rewarding it was to help someone work through a challenge until everything clicked. 
Over the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to mentor about 16 SLC students across several organizations, most of them during my time at Weehooey. My own career was shaped by an SLC co-op placement at a local Kingston firm, where I not only gained valuable technical experience but also discovered the area of IT I wanted to pursue. Providing students with a similar opportunity to explore their interests and build confidence is my way of giving back. 

I try to expose students to a broad range of technologies and IT disciplines because you often do not know what excites you until you experience it firsthand. My hope is that students leave their placement with practical skills, greater confidence, and a clearer sense of where their passions lie. Helping someone discover that spark and watching it grow into a career is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. 
 
As a member of the PAC, how did you help ensure that educational programs stayed aligned with the needs of today's technology industry? 
Technology evolves rapidly, so it is important that the program reflects the skills and tools students will encounter in the workplace. My role on the PAC was to bring industry perspectives back to the program and share what organizations are actively using in the field.  
One example was advocating for greater exposure to Proxmox as the industry began moving away from VMware ESXi for on-premises server environments. While it may seem like a small curriculum adjustment, that kind of insight can make a meaningful difference by ensuring graduates are familiar with the technologies employers are adopting. Ultimately, the goal is to help students enter the workforce with relevant, practical experience that positions them for success from day one. 

Looking ahead, what technology trends or skills do you believe will have the greatest impact on the future of IT, and what advice would you offer students who are preparing to enter the profession? 
Artificial intelligence will have one of the greatest impacts on the future of IT, transforming everything from troubleshooting and log analysis to software development and research. As these tools become more powerful, professionals will need to understand not only how to use them effectively, but also how to apply them responsibly, with a strong awareness of governance, security, and their limitations. At the same time, I encourage students to be hands-on and curious. Build a home lab, set up a server, experiment with networking, or develop an application. One of the advantages of working in technology is that many enterprise tools are accessible for learning and experimentation. Practical experience builds confidence, demonstrates genuine passion to employers, and helps students discover the areas of technology that excite them most. Finding that passion and continuing to explore it can be one of the greatest drivers of a successful career in IT.