Landed the Job

Nov. 2, 2026

After studying Fire Protection Engineering Technology at Seneca, Mohamed Ismail built a career dedicated to public safety and community service. Now Captain of Recruitment and Outreach with Toronto Fire Services, he shares how getting involved at Seneca helped launch his career, the milestones that shaped his path and why he encourages students to bet on themselves.

After high school, I enrolled in a college program without doing much research, thinking I would be fine. After three semesters, I realized it wasn’t the right fit. As I began looking for work, I also realized that if I wanted a career—not just a job—I needed a solid education.

I started researching different professions and found that I was passionate about keeping people safe and serving the public. That led me to the fire service. I knew Toronto Fire was where I wanted to work, and I gravitated toward the fire prevention inspector role. At the time, the three-year Fire Protection Engineering Technology program was one of the qualifications required for that position, so I chose the program to build the foundation I needed to pursue that goal.

One of the most important lessons I learned at Seneca was how to learn. The program taught me how to navigate complex material, read the Fire Code and develop technical skills such as AutoCAD. It gave me a strong foundation that translated directly into the workforce.

I also learned time management, punctuality and professionalism through the program and my experience as a student ambassador. By the time I graduated, I understood how to follow a schedule, work with supervisors and conduct myself professionally. Those soft skills helped me succeed in my roles and later prepare for the promotional process to become a captain.

The best thing for me was the challenge of the program and how useful the material was in day-to-day life. I was learning about human behaviour, sprinkler systems and all the different components of the fire industry. I could walk into a building and say, “I know what that is.” I was actively learning about the industry I wanted to work in, and I really enjoyed that challenge of learning.

Seneca helped me get my career started by connecting me with potential employers. In the program, industry professionals would come in and talk about their organizations and the opportunities available. That’s where I met the hiring manager for the company I worked for immediately after graduation. I took his card, and when I was ready to graduate, I called him and sent him my resumé. That connection led to my first opportunity as a fire alarm installation and programming technician.

My long-term goal was still to join Toronto Fire as a fire inspector, so that first role allowed me to start working in the fire industry while continuing toward that goal.

I stayed in fire alarm installation and programming for about 10 years, five years here and five years in Alberta. When I came back, I applied to Toronto Fire and was hired as a fire inspector. I did that for about five and a half years before the opportunity came up to move into recruitment and outreach.

In my current role as Captain of Recruitment and Outreach with Toronto Fire, no day is the same. One day I might be doing a presentation at a school and the next I might be at a career fair or community event. I’m always moving around and meeting different people.

What I love most is helping people understand what they could potentially become and guiding them through the process so they’re not guessing. I do that through career coaching, mentoring and outreach, which connects back to why I gravitated toward the fire service in the first place.

One of the highlights of my career was working as a fire inspector. Fire inspectors are the unsung heroes of the fire service. You’re inspecting buildings and making them safer by enforcing the Fire Code, but you may not always know the outcome of the work you’ve done. I once inspected a home for carbon monoxide safety, and a week or two later, the homeowner called to tell me their alarm had gone off. They called 911 and firefighters confirmed there was a CO leak. A mother and daughter were saved because of that.

Another big moment was achieving my goal of joining Toronto Fire. My goal was always to be in this uniform. I also never thought I would make the rank of captain in the period of time that I did. Going through that promotional process and becoming a captain was another proud moment for me.

My advice is to do your research and bet on yourself. Know what qualifications your potential employer is asking for and start building your resumé early. Network with your professors, take advantage of career resources and don’t underestimate the power of volunteering. Volunteer experience is still experience, and in the fire service, a history of community service is especially important because you’re applying to be a public servant.

Most importantly, ask yourself, “Why not me?” I was told I would never get hired by Toronto Fire because it was so competitive, and I’m a captain now. These positions are going to come up, so be one of the people who goes through the process and becomes successful.