“Great people skills” distinguishes Sheridan applied computing grad

For Joshua Clark (Computer Systems Technology – Information Systems Engineering ‘21), his passion for computers and helping others motivated him to start a career with Clicklyfix, an on-demand, customer-centric IT support platform.   

The decision to become a Support Technician with Clicklyfix was a natural one for Clark, who started coding and experimenting with computers when he was only eleven years old. His talents didn’t go unnoticed, and throughout high school, he became known as the “tech guy” for his family and friends. 

“I knew that technology is changing people’s lives, and I realized that it’s not just about fixing computers – it’s about fixing things that have a positive impact on people.”  

Clark explains that he was drawn to Sheridan for its reputation for hands-on learning, and he had many opportunities to practice and grow his skills through his studies and beyond the classroom. While completing his Computer Systems Technology program (formerly known as the Computer Systems Technology – Systems Analyst program), he helped build an end-to-end application for a local fireplace company as part of his capstone course, and during his co-op term, he gained valuable hands-on experience working as a representative in Sheridan’s Information Technology (IT) Service Desk.  

“I knew that technology is changing people’s lives, and I realized that it’s not just about fixing computers – it’s about fixing things that have a positive impact on people."

Clark says that he was also impressed by the variety of computer coding courses offered by his program. During his four years at Sheridan, he learned various programming languages, including Java, C#, and SQL, which he believes set him apart from other technicians when looking to enter the full-time workforce.  Based on his experience, he encourages students pursuing a career in IT to gain fundamental knowledge of the cloud ecosystem, coding languages and different operating systems. 

“It was important for me to build on my skills and knowledge in multiple computing platforms and environments,” says Clark. “What better way to learn and master these tools than to solve real-world problems outside the classroom?” 

Despite his passion for helping others, Clark knew that he had more to learn about creating effective working relationships with team members and stakeholders in an IT environment. He credits his co-op term with Sheridan's IT Service Desk as a launchpad that equipped him with the necessary communication and collaboration skills. 

"The Service Desk was such a caring atmosphere," says Clark. "Everyone was looking out for their colleauges– it taught me the importance of human connection in a highly technical field. I learned how to be patient and empathetic to people's needs, and how to guide them through common technical problems with computers, such as solving network-related issues, removing viruses, and making partitions on the hard drive. The team supported me with amazing training and the experience was excellent preparation.”   

Clark’s customer-first mentality, strong communications skills and empathy distinguished him when it came time to find full-time work after graduation. Those skills caught the attention of Mark Herod, founder of tech start-up ClicklyFix, who asked Clark to join their team. “We’re building our team with technicians who aren’t just qualified with the right technological skills, we also look for individuals who have great people skills and are genuinely interested in helping other,” says Herod. He attests that he has seen these qualities in many Sheridan students and graduates who have worked on his team.  

“It was important for me to build on my skills and knowledge in multiple computing platforms and environments. What better way to learn and master these tools than to solve real-world problems outside the classroom?"

“Joshua has been an amazing addition to the team,” says Herod. “We’re thoroughly impressed by the skills and knowledge he brings to the table and his genuine interest in helping others and solving complex issues.”  

Herod is not the only one to take notice. Clark recently received a five-star rating on the company’s Facebook page, commending him of his great customer service.  

“It's a great feeling to be in a company with a people-centric philosophy," says Clark. "Their commitment to finding new and innovative ways to help others is one of the reasons why I pursued a career in IT in the first place." 

Clicklyfix is currently seeing IT support and Marketing positions. If you have experience in either Social media marketing or IT support we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume to mark@clicklyfix.com.