This is for my friends and colleagues who missed CANHEIT this year and wanted to hear my talk.

Professional growth in higher education IT often takes a backseat to the daily demands of our roles. Yet, as education, technology, and our profession evolve, so must we. How can IT professionals expand their skills, follow their interests, broaden their expertise, build institutional relationships, and stay motivated—all while continuing to deliver value to their institutions?

The 4+1 Day Work Week is a model that challenges the status quo. Four days a week, I have the privilege of being the Director of IT for the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University. One day a week, I step into an entirely different cybersecurity-focused role within our central Information Security Office. This arrangement is more than just a schedule change; it’s a deliberate effort to foster collaboration, gain institutional perspective, and contribute knowledge across departments. It’s an investment in both professional development and institutional strength.

This talk explores my experiences so far with this approach—the impact of working across silos, the logistical and cultural adjustments required, and the unexpected ways it fuels professional engagement. More importantly, I believe it provides a framework that others can adapt. Whether through structured secondments, job-shadowing, or collaborative initiatives, IT professionals can take steps to break routine, build connections, and enhance both their careers and their institutions.

What could this look like for you? By rethinking traditional work structures, we can create opportunities that not only make us better IT professionals but also strengthen the institutions we serve.