A New Chapter Begins: Meet Alejandro Cardenas

Growing up in Colombia, Alejandro Cardenas had always dreamed of building a life abroad. Which is why, after completing his undergraduate degree, he began looking abroad for a Supply Chain Management program with a track record of success. “The only program that met my criteria was Cape Breton University’s Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Supply Chain Management,” Alejandro recalls.

“I was so impressed by the way their curriculum was structured,” says Alejandro. “From courses to work placement opportunities, I could see their program was designed to give their students the theoretical and practical knowledge they needed to succeed.” It was an assessment that was quickly confirmed by further research. Soon after, Alejandro discovered CBU had recently published the results of a recent survey of CBU graduates. According to the study, 90 per cent of CBU’s Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Supply Chain Management program graduates reported they were currently employed full-time.

In February 2021, Alejandro arrived in Canada with his wife and two young daughters. Charmed by Cape Breton Island’s beauty and hospitality and impressed by the exceptional quality of CBU’s physical campus, Alejandro’s optimism continued to grow. “From my professors and classmates to student services and extracurricular activities, it was obvious CBU was the perfect learning environment,” he remembers. “Plus, everyone was so friendly and nice that it was fun to learn about different cultures and broaden my perspectives.”

Determined to take full advantage of this extraordinary educational opportunity, Alejandro focused on applying himself to his field of study. “It was a very intense, but rewarding time in my life,” says Alejandro. “I worked very hard to obtain my degree while also pursuing relevant work experience that I hoped would improve my employment opportunities after graduation.”

In his first semester, Alejandro began working part-time at the Garden Center at Kent Building Supplies in Sydney. “After a year and a half, my employer offered me an internship as a Replenishment Associate,” Alejandro says proudly. “Then, when I completed my studies, I was offered a permanent, full-time position as an Inventory Control Assistant. Four months after that, I was promoted to Zone Manager.”

With his career now firmly established, Alejandro and his family are thrilled to be exploring everything their new home has to offer. “My family loves trying new activities, new foods and having new experiences. We’ve gone camping on the Cabot Trail, participated in marathons and taken family road trips around the Island and Province,” says Alejandro. “And best of all, we’re now able to help international students and new Canadians the way CBU helped us. If you need advice on settling in or would like to participate in any events that bring the Latino community together, don’t be afraid to reach out!”