Yasmin of InterTalk Critical Information Systems

Transitioning from classroom theory to managing live, customer-facing infrastructure can feel like jumping into the deep end. This talk explores the high-stakes reality of a modern Technical Support and Systems Administrator, bridging the gap between technical reliability and human communication. By sharing honest lessons from the first 1,000 days in production—including navigating imposter syndrome and surviving critical system outages—this session reframes communication and empathy not as secondary "soft skills," but as critical operational infrastructure.

Attendees will discover how a customer-centric mindset drives better, root-cause-driven engineering decisions and automation strategies. For attendees, this talk presents the behind-the-scenes DevOps and infrastructure career while offering a relatable roadmap to conquer self-doubt.

Biography:

Yasmin Ibrahim is an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) currently serving as the Infrastructure & Systems Administrator and Technical Support Supervisor within InterTalk Critical Information Systems.

In this dual capacity, she drives operational goals toward high-impact results, managing critical system infrastructure while providing expanded leadership, technical oversight, and mentorship to systems team members.

A graduate of Dalhousie University with a degree in Computer Engineering, Yasmin bridges deep technical knowledge with a strong focus on system reliability and customer relationships. Throughout her three years in the field, she has contributed to designing and scaling automated infrastructure and have successfully led high-stakes deployments for enterprise and public-safety clients, including Canadian National Railway (CN) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

Recognized for their ability to maintain system quality under pressure, Yasmin excels at translating complex technical issues into permanent, root-cause solutions. Her career highlights include driving operational success within the operations department and cultivating deep technical expertise alongside robust leadership and client management skills. Her current professional interests focus on system automation, infrastructure security, and engineering resilient, human-centric technical workflows.

Address:Halifax, Canada

Grace

Throughout the first few years of my undergraduate degree, I believed I would pursue an industry job after graduating. However, working in an ultrasound research lab and performing hands-on work in projects with the potential to directly benefit our healthcare system inspired me to pursue a Master of Applied Science in Dalhousie University’s School of Biomedical Engineering.

This presentation discusses some ultrasound projects that I have contributed to, their potential impact on healthcare, and how these experiences influenced me to pursue research over industry. I hope this talk provides insight into what graduate research can be like, how engineering can contribute to patient care, and how university experiences can shape the direction of your career.

Biography:

I recently obtained my Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Dalhousie University this past June. I am currently a Master of Applied Science candidate in Dalhousie University’s School of Biomedical Engineering, working in the lab of Dr. Rob Adamson. My research involves the development of an ultrasound system that aims to intraoperatively assess cartilage characteristics.

Address:Halifax, Canada