Anthony Belleau, Building Engineering 2001 grad

From struggles to success

When you’re sitting in a class, you can imagine your teachers know it all and life has been smooth for them. But that’s often not the case. Certainly not for Anthony Belleau, the Stage Coordinator of the Building Engineering Technology Program. Anthony struggled with family issues in high school, but still achieved marks good enough to apply to Pure and Applied Science at Vanier. At the time, Anthony felt that this was his only choice, as he wasn’t fully aware that Vanier’s technology programs offered an alternative route through college that would allow him to either choose a career upon graduation or to continue to university.

Accepted to the Science program, Anthony soon realized that he enjoyed some of the subjects much more than others. He was struggling in some of his classes, and this helped him realize that he wanted a program that was more concentrated on a particular subject that he felt he would enjoy. The broad range of science topics just wasn’t made for him at that point in his life, and he started looking for other options. Anthony discovered the Building Engineering Technology department within Vanier, and after he discovered that the program was about engineering design of complex building systems that provide healthy and comfortable environments while also contributing to sustainable development, he decided to transfer to this program.

Finding his place at Vanier

Traveling to Vanier each day was quite a trek, but Anthony was determined, and nothing deterred him from taking a 2-hour bus ride twice a day from Repentigny to Vanier. Anthony had chosen Vanier College because he wanted to study in English but also because of its reputation in science and in sports. Indeed he played varsity volleyball throughout his stay at the college. What did he like so much about Building Engineering? “Everything,” he says. “The teachers, my classmates, the close friends I made in our small department, the topics covered in class and the practical approach of the courses. In fact, learning tangible things can make a big difference for many students. It did for me. It motivated me.”

Turning knowledge into opportunity

When Anthony graduated from the Building Engineering Technology program, he decided to turn down an excellent job offer in the engineering field, and instead went to the École de Technologie Supérieure (E.T.S.) where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (Building Concentration). Following that, he worked for 4 years as a design engineer with the Carrier Air Conditioning company, alongside several Vanier Building Engineering graduates, funnily enough, who had not continued on to university. It was a big decision to turn down a career debut, and instead apply to E.T.S., but Anthony was glad that the program gave him the opportunity to make such a choice. University isn’t for everyone, and Anthony was glad that he had his Vanier DCS to fall back on if university didn’t work out for him.

“At Carrier, I designed customized air handling units, which are massive central ventilation systems, that were shipped all over North America. Then, in 2005 I started teaching part time. What I like mostly about teaching is being a mentor to the young women and men who enter the program as high-school graduates who are unsure of their future and leave as young professionals ready to begin their careers!”

Giving back and looking forward

Anthony’s excitement is visible when he talks about the Building Engineering program and its students. His commitment has led him to do a lot to help students not only learn about building engineering technology but to do it in an engaging fashion. He seeks to enrich their learning through technical visits to different offices and buildings, and by organizing professional activities and career fairs where students can meet potential employers. Indeed, the career fair he holds every autumn has grown every year, attracting more and more leading global companies that are interested in Building Engineering Technology graduates.

Anthony is happy with the choice he made and is exactly where he wants to be in his career, combining a subject he loves with teaching and guiding young people. “Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up,” he says. “That’s what’s most important.”