Networking Without Borders: How Chris Lawrence is Building Connections in Toronto From Montreal 

For Toronto native Chris Lawrence, living in Montreal hasn’t changed his desire to stay deeply rooted in his hometown’s professional landscape. When he decided to pivot his career by registering in the Certificate in Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Digital Forensics at The Chang School, he wanted more than an online credential — he wanted a meaningful link back to Toronto’s tech and business ecosystem.

The Chang School offered an opportunity to build his cybersecurity skills while remaining connected to Toronto’s professional community. 

“As a Toronto-native, I wanted to go to a school in my hometown where I had the option to attend in-person and continue my studies if I moved back,” Chris says. “Education was only 50 percent of what I was looking for. I also wanted opportunities to network, and student resources were just as important — like the Career Centre and access to working with Career Advisors.”

Overcoming Distance to Build Community

Studying online from another province requires intentional effort to stay connected, but Chris views distance as an opportunity rather than a barrier. Through course message boards, group projects, and engagement with faculty during weekly virtual course drop-in sessions, he consistently interacts with staff, instructors, and classmates who share his drive for continuous learning.

He also uses the sheer size of the TMU community to expand his reach. “Being part of the TMU and Chang community that is so large, I’m constantly meeting people who went to TMU for their undergrad or have taken a course at The Chang School,” he notes.

To deepen those relationships, Chris keeps an eye out for campus events he can attend whenever he travels back to Toronto.

A Voice for Online Learners on the TMU Senate

Chris took his commitment to community-building a step further by accepting the Dean's invitation to be on  the TMU Senate to represent continuing education students. Serving as a senator allows him to contribute directly to university governance, advocate for online distant learners, and foster relationships with faculty and university leaders.Through this initiative, Chris says he builds meaningful relationships with TMU senators and leaders while championing decisions that support the entire university community. 

“It can feel a bit harder to get into the groove or school community being in Montreal, but I’m learning that you have to make the most of ‘student life’ no matter the distance,” he reflects.

Earlier this year, Chris gave us a glimpse into a typical day of a remote learner at The Chang School on his Instagram profile.

Career Growth Powered by Connections and Practical Skills

Currently working as a Safety Specialist at a tech company, Chris is leveraging both his expanding network and coursework to transition into cybersecurity roles focused on policy, risk management, and compliance. While not in a dedicated cyber role just yet, he actively utilizes platforms like LinkedIn and connects with organizational leaders for coffee chats and office hours to gain insight into their teams and refine the skills needed for future opportunities — especially as the technology landscape rapidly evolves. His initial class in Continuity and Risk Management reshaped his perspective on aligning crisis management with business continuity goals, and upcoming courses in Digital Forensics Systems promise practical tools he can apply directly to his daily investigation work. 

For Chris, the combination of hands-on coursework and active networking proves that physical distance doesn't limit professional growth.

Advice for Remote Learners

To anyone considering online studies at The Chang School from outside Toronto, Chris offers clear encouragement: dive into the community from day one.

“I would tell anyone from another city considering learning at The Chang School to sign up for an online info session and learn more about how [The Chang School] drives innovation and the importance of continuous learning while setting learners up for success along the way.”

Learn more about the Certificate in Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Digital Forensics