Student Testimonial - Kevin
Your Name: Kevin
Program: Infection Prevention and Control
Year of Graduation: 2025
Why did you choose Humber Polytechnic? and/or this program?
The IPAC Program at Humber provided an opportunity to continue my professional career in another healthcare field that I am truly passionate about. Also, being offered online, I found to be convenient with my busy schedule as it saved time and costs associated with travel that would normally be involved with in person classes.
How did the faculty help you on your road to reaching your goals?
The faculty were not just experienced professionals in their respective fields, they were invaluable mentors and provided the highest degree of support, guidance, and inspiration in my path to being an Infection Control Professional. They go above and beyond for students, so long as you were curious and willing to connect!
Recognizing that your Humber program was online, did you use any Humber online resources, connect with staff (other than faculty)? In other words, any comments on your overall Humber experience?
Although online experiences suffer from the loss of face-to-face human interactions, many opportunities for additional growth and learning were provided such as the collaboration with the Food and Nutrition Management Students in an in-person simulation at Humber’s North Campus. This provided a unique learning experience that I felt greatly benefited all who participated.
[Editor’s Note: The collaboration involved students from both the IPAC and the Food and Nutrition Management (F&NM) programs. Students reviewed appropriate documents in advance. On the day of the activity, the simulation was set in a mock long-term care home facility where IPAC students observed basic practices that F&NM were following while serving meals to the residents in the dining room. IPAC students completed a brief audit, a shorter version of what they would do in the field, and then presented their observations to the F&NM students. IPAC students then submitted a findings report. The faculty provided feedback to IPAC students on what was included in the report and what may have been missed. This allowed both groups of students to learn how they would be working in an interdisciplinary team when they go to do their placements or work in the field.]
Did you have a Work-Integrated Learning experience? (otherwise known as a field placement, an internship, a practicum) What was your biggest take-away from that?
I was able to complete my placement with Trillium Health Partners, splitting my experience between Mississauga and Credit Valley Hospital. This provided a fantastic learning experience and allowed me to network and create lasting connections with the IPAC teams at both sites.
How did the program set you on your path to where you are now?
Overall, the program provided the fundamentals necessary to work in the field of IPAC and has better prepared me for the CIC examination (Certification in Infection Control).
Some students attend post-graduate studies right after their degree/diploma, and some return to school after years of being away from it. Comment on your experience, and looking back what advice would you give to your first-semester self?
Having made lifelong professional connections with faculty, I find that all you really need to succeed is to be a curious and an aspiring learner. Make the most of each interaction with faculty and put in the work to learn and take out of the program what you desire and that will carry forth with you in your IPAC career!
