Mentor Spotlight: Victoria Chan
UBC Computer Science has been running its award-winning Tri-Mentoring Program since 2001, matching industry or faculty mentors with a 3rd or 4th year student as senior mentee and a 2nd year student as junior mentee. To celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary this year, the department is featuring a “Mentor Spotlight” series, highlighting the various mentors who have provided over 3300 students with immeasurable advice and help over the years.
This month, we are featuring Victoria Chan, a UBC Computer Science alum (BSc ‘03) and Senior Manager, End User Productivity at Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). She started as a mentor in the program in 2004 and has mentored students for 15 years, including Enas and Renee. In this interview, she shares how she got into the computer science field and how her mentorship has changed over the years.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
How did you get into computer science and how was your experience in the program?
I knew I had a knack for numbers, but a math or biology degree didn’t really appeal to me. By process of elimination, I chose Computer Science. I was actually in Engineering to start but when I was signing up for classes, I got intimidated by the intensity and number of classes one needed to take. So I immediately turned around to see if I could get my second choice and moved into Science. There was the bubble was happening around for IT during that time, so we were all optimistic the job market was good!
What really opened my eyes was a software development class where we learned about the wide range of roles involved in delivering technology. Most students naturally aimed to become developers, but I discovered there were many other paths — such as business analyst, project manager, or tester — that play equally important roles on a project. I realized early on that I didn’t want to spend my entire career coding. Understanding these different career options helped shape the roles I’ve taken on since. When I was paired with my mentees, I saw many of them at a similar crossroads, and it was rewarding to help broaden their perspective and introduce them to the variety of IT careers that are out there.
What inspired you to participate in the Tri-Mentoring Program?
I was inspired to join as a way to give back to my alma mater. Having just graduated when the Tri-Mentoring Program began, I felt well positioned to help students navigate their academic experience. I was familiar with the courses, the professors, and the overall rhythm of the program. Although I was early in my career, I could relate closely to students and share firsthand experience about making the transition from university into the professional world.
How has your mentorship changed over the 15 years that you've been a mentor in the program?
While I can’t speak to specific classes anymore, I focus my mentoring on practical career guidance — everything from exploring roles and resources to refining resumes and doing mock interviews. I aim to support and inspire students as they navigate uncertainty, often sharing real experiences from my teams to highlight opportunities that helped shape their career paths.
Mentoring is very much a two-way exchange. I often find myself learning just as much from my mentees. Staying connected to the university helps me see how things are changing, especially as technology continues to evolve rapidly.
What do you enjoy most about being a mentor?
Seeing a mentee succeed — and knowing that my advice has helped them move closer to their goals — is incredibly rewarding. That sense of pride is, without question, the best part of mentoring. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences and lessons learned along the way.
Is there anything you learned about yourself throughout the mentorship process?
Mentoring is very much a two-way exchange. I often find myself learning just as much from my mentees. Staying connected to the university helps me see how things are changing, especially as technology continues to evolve rapidly. While I can learn a lot from my own teams at work, it is equally interesting to hear perspectives from academia and understand how new ideas and skills are emerging there. On a personal level, mentoring has also encouraged me to reflect more deeply on my own career experiences — something I emphasize with mentees as well.
How has your career trajectory influenced how you mentored the students that you were paired with?
My career has shaped how I mentor by reinforcing the importance of connection. Rather than trying to be the expert in everything, I focus on helping mentees find the right organizations, resources, and learning opportunities. Often, that means introducing them to people in my network or pointing them toward places where they can continue to grow. Being able to open doors and help them navigate what’s next is something I find especially meaningful.
Do you have any sort of general pieces of advice you would give to computer science students?
Do not limit yourself to a single role, such as being a developer. There are many opportunities beyond traditional IT paths, and an increasing number of roles require an end-to-end understanding — from gathering requirements and testing, to coordination, deployment, data analytics, security and operational support. The range of possibilities is broad, and staying open to those options can lead to rewarding and unexpected career paths.