b'Joseph MelansonSchool of Technology and EnvironmentIT Database AdministrationWhen a friend asked Joseph Melanson what hed do with his life if he could change anything, his immediate answer was that hed return to school. The rest, it seems, is history. Inspired by the example his father, Raymond, set when he attended NSCC Pictou Campus at 48-years of age, Joseph enrolled in the IT Database Administration Diploma Program at NSCC IT Campus. Thanks to his father, he realized that its never too late to take action to achieve your goals and change your life.Joseph says the program was the perfect intersection of his interests: computers, technology, databases and the business world. He says he hoped to gain the skills required to make valuable contributions to his community. With the support of his instructors, who he describes as fiercely intelligent and passionate, Joseph not only gained the skills he desired, he says the experience was transformative and helped him become a person capable of things hed never imagined possible. As he graduates, Joseph is excited to hone his abilities in industry so he can move into a leadership or project management role in the next three to five years. He also hopes to bring to life an organization that he created for an in-class projectinspiring local business by increasing food security through data analysis practices.Josephs advice to the Class of 2022: "Don\'t let failure discourage you. Take regular breaks. Ask for help when you need it and never stop trying. When you get frustrated, change your focus and use the resource that is your community to keep learning and growing.'