instructor

faculty

administrative assistant

program assistant

assistant instructor

British Columbia Institute of Technology

A typical day involves handling a very high volume of student inquiries while managing multiple systems and administrative tasks simultaneously. The pace is consistently fast, and during peak periods, backlogs grow quickly, increasing pressure on frontline staff. Because staffing levels are often tight, absences or sick days can significantly impact workload for the rest of the team.

Phone queues frequently exceed 30 waiting callers, and during peak times, student wait times can reach 60 minutes or more. By the time calls are answered, many students are understandably frustrated after waiting so long, which adds emotional pressure to staff handling the calls.

The call system is designed so that after ending a call, another call is automatically routed in approximately 30 seconds, regardless of the length or emotional intensity of the previous interaction. This leaves very little time to reset, document complex cases, or prepare for the next conversation. Even when assigned to in-person service, staff are still required to answer incoming calls, which significantly increases cognitive load and stress.

Management is supportive in principle and often acknowledges that the work can be stressful. However, in practice, performance is heavily measured through quantitative metrics, particularly volume-based tracking. Case complexity and emotional labor are less reflected in performance evaluation, which contributes to fatigue over time.

Work-from-home options are technically available one to two days per week; however, call and email volume is closely monitored. When call numbers decrease during remote work days, employees are questioned about it. As a result, flexible work can feel conditional rather than genuinely supportive.

Colleagues are generally supportive and care deeply about helping students. However, the combination of sustained high call demand, limited recovery time between interactions, and close monitoring creates a high-pressure environment. Greater transparency in the job description regarding the volume and nature of phone work, along with increased staffing, would significantly improve both employee wellbeing and the student experience.


My experience as a temporary full-time instructor at the Computing School was disappointing. The institution appears to prioritize business operations over the well-being and contributions of its instructors. There is minimal departmental support, and the work environment can be challenging due to a significant number of students displaying entitlement issues, which negatively impact the classroom atmosphere.

The associate dean fosters a corporate-style culture rather than an academic one, frequently intervening in classroom matters and creating an overly accessible channel for student complaints. This dynamic can lead to the misuse of complaint processes, often at the expense of instructors' authority and professional input. The policies heavily favour students, sometimes undermining the rights and perspectives of faculty members.

Additionally, course assignments are distributed arbitrarily each semester, making it difficult for instructors to maintain consistency and expertise in their teaching. While the policy states that a temporary position should convert to a permanent role after two years, contracts are systematically terminated just before this period ends, effectively preventing instructors from attaining job security. Many colleagues have faced similar circumstances.

Ultimately, this management approach reduces what should be a reputable academic institution to a certificate-driven operation. Experienced university educators should be mindful of these challenges before considering a role at this institution. 

BCIT School of Health Sciences was hands down the worst employer I have ever had. In the beginning I was thrilled to get a job offer from BCIT since they promote themselves as one of the top 100 employers in British Columbia. However within the first month of my employment it was clear I had been mislead on what they wanted out of my position. Instead of bringing new ideas to the table as a manager, I was expected to continue on with the usual inefficient method of doing things despite knowing faster and more cost effective methods.

HR is terrible at BCIT. The job description provided by HR did not match the duties I was assigned by my supervisor. I witnessed instances of bullying, sexism, and passive aggressive behavior between my colleagues. I attempted to formally report this but was ignored for months. HR informed my supervisor of my complaints and I was then reprimanded as being "disruptive to the culture of BCIT and that I should be careful not to upset the the wrong people". 

There is a very high turnover rate with management and HR. The goals of one manger could be completely opposite of their replacement. Deans and Directors are easily fired or quit. So setting long term goals can be challenging. 

If you are a young person with fresh ideas, BCIT is not the place to work. Take your talents someplace they will be appreciated.

People quit their manager, not their job and nowhere is this more the case than the BCIT School of Health, Manager; Diagnostics.  This manager rewards, promotes and supports those with a poor work ethic and lack teaching credentials, those who complain and are the source of creating a toxic work environment.  This manager casts aside, undermines and disposes of instructors who work hard and are loyal to the organization with documented positive student feedback.   

I have personally witnessed colleagues crying in meetings with this manager present, verbal abuse and harassment both in-person and online.  All this behaviour goes on under the watchful eye of the Dean of the School of Health and senior leadership who do absolutely nothing to address the issues.  The School of Health Sciences is the most toxic work environment I have ever been a part of.  

On an organizational level, BCIT is incredibly resistant to change and more often, change is obstructed.  Idea sharing is discouraged.  The BCIT  learning environment has not changed in decades.  

How this toxic culture continues in this time of change and awareness of workplace bullying and harassment boggles my mind.

Working in this role has been a positive and rewarding experience. My main duties involve preparing and setting up experimental equipment for classes and ensuring everything is well-maintained and functioning properly. The job also offers continuous learning opportunities, especially when supporting instructors on new projects that involve unfamiliar tools or technologies.

One of the best parts of this role is the supportive and respectful work environment. My superiors, co-workers, and instructors are all cooperative, kind, and professional, which makes daily tasks more enjoyable. The compensation is also fair, with a good pay scale and generous holiday benefits that contribute to a healthy work-life balance.

The most challenging part of the job is dealing with complex equipment repairs—sometimes the issues are beyond what one person can realistically fix, yet there’s still an expectation to resolve them. Despite this, I enjoy the steady workflow, standing work time, and the overall balanced and polite atmosphere.

Overall, it’s a stable and respectful workplace that encourages growth and values its employees.

Being a maintenance electrician is a rewarding but demanding job that requires technical skill, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. The role involves troubleshooting electrical systems, repairing faulty wiring, and ensuring equipment runs safely and efficiently. Each day presents new challenges, whether it’s diagnosing a sudden power failure, replacing worn-out components, or maintaining complex machinery in industrial settings.

One of the most satisfying aspects of the job is the sense of accomplishment that comes from solving problems and keeping operations running smoothly. However, the work can be physically demanding, with long hours, tight spaces, and sometimes hazardous conditions. A strong understanding of electrical codes and safety procedures is essential.

The job offers good career stability, as industries always need skilled electricians. While the work can be stressful at times, especially during emergency repairs, the variety and hands-on nature of the job make it an engaging and fulfilling career for those who enjoy technical challenges.

I typically start my day by checking my emails for tasks to be completed. I would research, and download biographies and events. Then I would proofread and edit the biographies and/or events and upload to the Diversity Circles website. I read the preliminary findings of a past intern about how to improve the site and made suggestions as how to make every page secure. As these changes involved a higher security access than I had, I could not complete the task. The hardest part of the job was the limited access to make the changes to the site. I learned many things as I took a few courses offered at BCIT. I learned about Indigenous Awareness, Intercultural Communication, Respectful Workplaces, Human Rights 101, and Digital Literacy.

	Followed Standard operating procedures and practices to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the plant.
	Working knowledge of multiple electronic and digital control systems from a central control room.
	Performed Boiler start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting to resolve process related deviations and problems.
	Performed routine checks and inspections of process equipments.
	Performed group lock-outs and water-treatment.
	Controlled and maintained auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater pumps, and filters, to supply water, fuel, air, and auxiliary power.
	Ensure efficient operation of all HVAC equipment checks and daily building computer control interface.
	Maintain mechanical and electrical components in the HVAC units.

Dealt with lots of different people every day and was able to help them with their learning goals, Interacting with students, teaching and support staff to ensure a smooth running environment, Ensured all safety rules and standards were enforced to make a safe learning and working place. Learnt and became proficient in purchasing and contract methods, Learned time management and planning skills, Learnt people skills, Learnt too many skills to list all of them, Loved the very fast paced and changing environment, Tight dead lines, Great Management team and co-workers. Hardest part of the job was seeing some people go and leaving when I did.  

a dynamic and rewarding professional environment. The institution is renowned for its commitment to practical, hands-on education and cutting-edge research, providing employees with the opportunity to engage in innovative projects and continuous learning. BCIT fosters a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, supports professional development, and encourages work-life balance. Employees benefit from comprehensive health and wellness programs, competitive salaries, and the chance to work alongside passionate and skilled colleagues. Being part of BCIT means contributing to the growth and success of students and the broader community, making it a fulfilling and impactful career choice.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Instructor 3 salaries reported	$73,029 per year
Faculty 4 salaries reported	$88,609 per year
Administrative assistant 5 salaries reported	$53,200 per year
Program assistant 4 salaries reported	$46,023 per year
Assistant instructor 1 salary reported	$57,782 per year

Working at British Columbia Institute of Technology: company overview and reviews

British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia Institute of Technology ratings

Popular jobs at British Columbia Institute of Technology

Salary satisfaction

Job seeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected