My goal was to better understand the intricacies of developing websites

We checked in with recent Web Development Diploma graduate Matthew Honey to find out about his experience at UWinnipeg PACE.

Matt completed his four-week internship at the ALS Society of Manitoba and was hired by the organization following his internship placement.

We asked Matt about his PACE experience and here’s what he had to say:

“I have a love for history and technology. My love for technology revolves around my desire to use it as a tool to share history. With this as my motivator, I investigated multiple diploma possibilities from museum studies to web development and explored multiple institutions across Canada where these were offered.

I settled upon the web development program offered by UWinnipeg PACE due to its proximity to where I would be living and after a discussion with Loc Lu, who was kind enough to forward my questions to Brent Scott and Steve George, two of the two primary instructors of the program.

My goal was to better understand the intricacies of developing websites. With these tools, it was, and still is, my goal to take my passion (of history and researching historical artifacts) and share it with others through a web-based environment.

I also chose the PACE program because I have already completed one degree. As I am getting older and entering a third career, I did not feel I could afford to spend an additional three to four years completing another degree…unless I could also figure out how to stop myself from aging.

There were two things that were unique to my experience at UWPACE. The first is that most of the key courses to the program are taught by two instructors – this is great for continuity when the learning stream can start to move by quickly. It was a different experience than the first time I went to university.

The other unique experience was that my whole program was conducted online. On one hand, it could be challenging when trying to fix a problem remotely, on the plus side, it taught us how to work unsupervised and troubleshoot when receiving remote assistance could be challenging.

My advice for other students in this UWPACE program is to keep on top of your homework. Layout a plan or road map to completing your projects. Double-check at the end of your assignments to make sure you fulfilled ALL the requirements. Do the best you can. Go above and beyond when you can. Try very hard not to be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand. Stay humble.

My most valuable lesson at PACE was the importance of keeping up with assignments. Everything builds on the last thing you were taught. If you fall behind, it can make it that much more difficult to learn what is coming next.

Most memorable for me, with my sense of humour, exchanging jokes with Brent, but on a more serious side, project completions. Every time I completed a project. Every time I struggled with a piece of code and then got it to work. Every time I stared at a blank screen at the beginning (of the project), wondering where it would go, and then sitting back at the end and (most of the time) feeling proud that I had accomplished the task.

While I know I still have a lot to learn, the PACE program provided a lot of the tools that I now know and utilize in my job and hobby.

My internship experience has allowed me to ease into this new career direction where I am surrounded and supported by amazing people who have a lot of confidence in me. These are marvelous things to have as you head out into a world where it is impossible to know it all. However, I also know that I will continue to learn and grow in experience over time.

My number takeaway is that I can do this. While my previous work experience has prepared me for some of my current job tasks, the PACE program has provided me with all the web-based requirements (and design with Adobe products) that my job has called upon at this time.

With our program being offered completely online, I have also grown comfortable with the ability to be able to work remotely. In addition to adjusting to this new job, I have also completed a side contract for my previous employer, the Charlotte County Archives, in building an Oral History section for their website.

I continue to learn, seeking out solutions every time I run into a problem. In my spare time, I am currently building a new WordPress theme from scratch for my website on antique arms and armour, combining a love of history, museums, and my collection, with web design and finding the best way to share that research in a digital format with the world. It is essentially an online digital museum that others may use as a research resource."

Matt is the as the Web Design/Support and Communications Coordinator at ALS Manitoba.

Prior to completing his Web Development Diploma at PACE, Matt help a BA from Concordia University of Edmonton with a major in music and a minor in religious studies/history. In addition to that, Matt held various food safety certifications (required for the business he ran and then sold), as well as completing a course in digital archives from the National Archives, UK. Matt's personal passion project will be live online in the next month or so.

Photo courtesy of Matt Honey.