When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Jordon Jensen—who spent his weekends and evenings working in the restaurant industry—found himself enjoying the extra time he could now spend at home with his two young children. And as restaurants closed their doors and the future felt uncertain, he began thinking about an alternative career path that would provide him more flexibility to adapt to the changing landscape.
After weighing his options and deciding to go back to school, he enrolled himself in George Brown’s Computer Programming and Analysis program, where he could attend classes virtually and gain the skills needed for a rewarding career in IT, all while still enjoying time with his family.
In his final year of study, Jensen was one of six Indigenous post-secondary students awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) John Wesley Beaver Memorial Scholarship program. A fighter pilot during the Second World War and Chief of Alderville First Nation, Beaver was one of Ontario Hydro’s most accomplished Indigenous engineers. The scholarship was created to honour his legacy by encouraging Indigenous students to study while contributing to their communities.
Jensen, a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, was thrilled to receive the scholarship—both for its recognition of his cultural heritage, and its financial value.
“There are a lot of extra expenses that come with having two kids,” he says, noting that he was still working part-time while studying in order to keep up with paying the bills. “It was a relief to have that unexpected bonus so I could just focus on school and get really good at what I wanted to do.”
With its ongoing commitment to Indigenous education and knowledge-sharing, George Brown College is an attractive option for Indigenous students like Jensen who are looking for a sense of community while pursuing their education.
Although he couldn’t get as involved on campus as he would have liked because of juggling work with school and his obligations at home, he appreciated the support and resources that the college provided.
“There are all these interesting events that happen and spaces for Indigenous students to connect with each other,” Jensen says. “The college really wants to make sure everyone is involved and included.”
Jensen was also pleased to see the integration of several Indigenous elements throughout his Convocation ceremony this past June, like the carrying of the Eagle Feather, and display of the star blanket medallion.
“It was very reassuring to see that even if we were only a handful of people in the room, representation still mattered,” he says. “The whole ceremony showed that everyone really belongs at George Brown.”
As a new alum, Jensen is now looking forward to putting his new advanced diploma to use as he searches for a role in front-end development with a focus on improving the user experience. In making use of the skills and tools he gained at GBC, he feels well-prepared to launch a career as an IT professional in a broad range of industries and organizations.
Jensen’s experience is a testament to George Brown College as more than just an academic institution—it’s a supportive community that embraces inclusion and celebrates its students and alumni on their journeys of self-discovery and professional growth.
Learn more about GBC’s Indigenous Initiatives and Computer Technology programs, including our pioneering certificate program in Blockchain Development, the first of its kind in Canada.
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