Fueled by a passion for travel and higher education, George Brown College (GBC) business graduate Kevin Fagner Santos is living out his dreams - working in Paris for a popular international education community that delivers news, networking events and recruitment strategies.
Santos joined The PIE (Professionals in International Education) in 2019 as a regional business development executive and quickly worked up to his current position as vice president of partnerships. George Brown College provided the knowledge and experience to propel his success. Santos graduated from the Business-Marketing diploma program in 2017 and also completed digital media and social media marketing certificate programs.
"At GBC, I met international students from around the world, and it was wonderful to hear their stories," he said. "That's what drove me. I want to make sure I'm an advocate."
A great GBC experience
Santos has plenty of experience in the field, including being an international student. He moved to Canada from Brazil as a teenager and, after years in the workforce, chose GBC to pursue his education. He completed his diploma program while working full time, also in the international education space, with an international student insurance provider.
"I must say my professors were incredibly supportive," he said. "George Brown played a huge role in accommodating my career journey. I found the college fun, trendy, intelligent, welcoming, and warm, and the professors are all very engaged. They are there for a mission. They are truly amazing."
While many of his colleagues have degrees and MBAs, Santos champions the benefits, including the relative affordability, of the practical college education he received at GBC. He earned a diploma to set the foundation and built up other credentials from there.
"The teaching and learning at the Centre for Business was beyond academic. It was real life," he said, "and it was supportive."
When he's back in Toronto, he stops by St. James Campus to have lunch in the cafeteria at 200 King St. E. "It's nostalgic," he said.
Harnessing the power of networking
While GBC played an integral role in his move to an executive position with The PIE, Santos also credits his language skills (he speaks four) and soft skills. He encourages students and young professionals to learn how to network.
"I'm a very ambitious person. For me, it's not about the money. I have a thirst to grow my knowledge and expertise. I enjoy networking, making new connections, and using my interpersonal skills, which are my forte," he said. "I've built my life on networking. I embraced it. The PIE saw my potential, and I was promoted each year."
Santos insists networking must be about what you can learn from others instead of what they can do for you.
"Networking expands your knowledge and sense of self."
