At Teranet, we know that great careers often begin with a single opportunity and the determination to make the most of it. Our Campus Recruitment Program gives students hands-on experience, meaningful connections, and the chance to build skills that can shape their future careers.
This month, we’re spotlighting Owolabby Azeez, Security Support Analyst, on the Information Security team, whose journey from co-op student to full-time employee is a testament to the power of curiosity, persistence, and embracing unexpected opportunities. From discovering a passion for cybersecurity to finding his place at Teranet through the IGNITE Career Fair, Owolabby’s story highlights how a single conversation can change the course of a career.
We sat down with Owolabby to learn more about his journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what he’s looking forward to as he continues to grow his career at Teranet.
Meet Owolabby Azeez
Tell us about your journey at Teranet — can you walk us through your transition from co-op to being a Teranet employee and highlight the key moments along the way?
My journey at Teranet actually begins well before my first day. Over three and a half years ago, I had a conversation with a stranger at a convention centre in Ottawa who mentioned he worked doing cloud security. At the time, the only “security” I knew was the kind you see at concerts. That single conversation changed the trajectory of my life. I moved back to Brampton after a decade in Ottawa, enrolled in the Computer Systems Technician program at George Brown College, and committed fully to breaking into the industry.
I officially started my 12-month co-op term in May 2025 under Vince Gismondi’s IT Infrastructure Client Support Services team. In April 2026, I converted to a full-time role as a Security Support Analyst under James McLintock in Information Security. The transition felt natural because of the culture here. People are genuinely a joy to work with. Whether I needed clarification on a tool, support on a sprint deliverable, or just a conversation about the business, I always felt backed. Teranet’s HR and talent teams have been exceptional at sourcing people who are not only technically strong but also kind, collaborative, and inclusive.
In conversations with colleagues across departments, the sentiment has been consistent: the value you bring professionally is respected just as much as the positive energy you bring to the workplace. It is no surprise that so many people have chosen to build long-term careers at Teranet.
You attended Ignite as both a candidate and an employee — what was that “full circle” experience like?
Ignite is a young adult leadership community under House of Praise Mississauga, designed as a training ground for global leaders between the ages of 17 and 30. It operates on five pillars: discovery of purpose, productive engagement, professional and leadership capacity, talent expression, and strategic relationships. At its core, it is a BIPOC focused, predominantly African and Caribbean organization committed to helping young professionals unlock their potential and achieve meaningful career growth. I will say this platform has been a tremendous blessing in my life. Looking back, I can see clearly that my steps were being ordered long before I understood where they were leading me.
I have now attended three Ignite career fairs. The first was in 2024, shortly after returning to Brampton. Nothing immediately tangible came from it, but the energy of the room and the ambitions of the other attendees reminded me I was in the right environment to keep pushing.
By the 2025 fair, I was nearly finished my first year at George Brown and eager to get my foot in the door.
After making my way through most of the booths, I was starting to feel fatigued, but something told me to do my due diligence and visit every table before leaving. I am so grateful I did, because the Teranet booth was one of the last I stopped at.
Sometimes the opportunities are in the conversations you least expect. Attending the 2026 fair as a Teranet employee was a deeply full-circle moment. It gave me a real appreciation for the importance of being at the right place at the right time and engaging with everyone around you, regardless of how unrelated your industries might appear on the surface. I now carry that lesson into how I approach my colleagues every day, always seeking to understand the work they do and the value they bring to Teranet’s broader mission in land registry and property data solutions.
What stood out most to you about Teranet’s culture and support when you first joined?
My genuine understanding of Teranet as a company and as a community came through the Dell Windows 11 laptop upgrade project early in my co-op. Getting to move across departments and have real conversations with people from all corners of the organization gave me an unusually broad view for someone just starting out. I asked people directly what kept them at Teranet for so long, and the answers were consistent and sincere. The work matters.
What stood out most was that the culture was not performative. The inclusivity, the support, and the sense of being valued were things I experienced firsthand, not just read about in an onboarding deck.
What advice would you give to students or new grads entering the workforce?
Leverage your student status with urgency and intentionality. Do not wait until graduation to apply for roles. Use your school’s exclusive co-op portals early and often. Roles like Junior Information Security Analyst, IT Technician Student, or Summer Intern Business Analyst pay meaningfully more than standard part-time work and build the kind of experience that makes you a competitive candidate before you even graduate. Also consider being strategic about your time. A semester off or a full summer working in your field can give you eight to twelve months of relevant experience while you are still a student, which effectively makes you job ready at convocation.
Beyond that, explore specialized bursaries and faculty awards that many students overlook simply because they do not apply. The opportunity is there for those who look for it.
The bottom line is simple: your student status is your greatest asset. Use it.
What is something you’re looking forward to as you continue your career journey at Teranet?
There is a lot I am genuinely excited about. First and foremost, I want to continue deepening my expertise across all domains of Information Security. The field moves fast and staying sharp requires consistent investment. Earning my CISSP certification is a concrete goal on that path. I also want to develop a stronger understanding of Teranet’s core business, particularly around GIS and geographic information systems, and how our data infrastructure supports land registry and property solutions. The more I understand the business, the more effective I can be in protecting it.
On a more personal note, I am currently taking three French lessons per week and plan to keep building on that fluency. Teranet operates in a diverse and connected environment, and being conversational in French can create opportunities for collaboration and relationship building across different communities and professional networks. And I will not stop there. Chinese Mandarin is on my radar as a longer-term pursuit.
In a world where relationships and communication drive opportunity, investing in language feels like one of the most future-forward things a young professional can do.
Longer term, I hope to contribute to Teranet’s growth and success. Not everyone knows what Teranet does, and I see that as an opportunity rather than a gap. Every conversation is a chance to help people better understand the important role our organization plays and the value we bring to the industries and customers we serve.
