Concordia Journal Home > Archives > June 4, 2009 issue >

A passion for leadership 

As a team manager in his final-year design project course, computer engineering student Juan Lema, 29, led a winning team.

“Keeping our team’s focus, dedication and motivation, without holding any real authority was the most challenging aspect. Everyone developed as a leader in their own area, with responsibilities aligned with their own strengths or interests.”

Concordia has provided Lema the opportunity to do likewise. He completed his BEng with an outstanding record that earned him convocation’s Software Engineering Medal.

For Lema, a solid education has to move beyond the academy.

“The focus is on making students effective contributors to the workplace and the community. At Concordia, we are given abundant opportunities to develop and apply practical skills starting even from the lower level courses.”

In fact, the unique opportunities offered via the Co-op program attracted Lema to Concordia.

Through that experience and contacts he made at the 2008 Canadian University Software Engineering Conference, Lema earned a three-month internship at Microsoft last summer.

While there he worked as a program manager with different groups and business units, “I was in the same role as a new hire,” says Lema. “It was definitely very intense, but a very rewarding learning experience. I got to work with very bright and passionate interns from top universities.”

Lema also worked as a game developer at electronic arts and as a prototype developer at Research in Motion, creators of the BlackBerry.

Now that he has completed his studies, he is planning to relocate to Washington State where he aims for a position that will allow him to continue growing his passion for leadership.