Industry Career Prep w/ Alum Derek Froese, Founder and President of Koala Technology.
🎓 Who: Open to UFV students and alumni from all programs
📅 Day: Tuesday, September 29th, 2026
📍 Location: A225 (Building A)
🕐 Time: 1pm - 2.30pm
📝Topics:
How to build a resume that gets noticed
What certs actually matter
What you don’t learn in school
How to stand-out in a tough job market
Reading list
The best career-track to get promoted
Roles and skillsets that won’t get replaced by AI
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The Centre for Experiential and Career Education is excited to welcome, Alum, Derek Froese, Founder and President of Koala Technology Ltd. to share insights on irreplaceable skills to focus on in the era of AI, tips to stand out in the job market, strategies to navigate career in Tech.
Koala Technology builds the right technology, at the right time. We don’t choose the brands we sell based on how much commission or margin they can bring us. We step into your shoes and bring you the technology that meets your needs. Period.
See below for the bio:
📌Derek Froese is an Abbotsford-born farm boy with a Computer Information Systems degree and caffeine withdrawal from the University of the Fraser Valley. He’s the President and Founder of Koala Technology, an IT services and consulting firm that takes a human-centred approach to technology for its business & non-profit clients. Derek has spoken about technology to universities, corporations, municipalities, private equity firms, professional associations, and his mom who is very patient.
As a student at UFV, Derek was President of the Computer Information Systems Student Association, acquired UFV’s first 3d printer (and got SUS to pay for it), co-founded two of the largest student-run events which continued annually for a while (Casino Royale, which had Vegas-style table games and a liquor license in the gym) (Big Bang, which had live bands, gave away free classes, had a couch city, and had a guy folding balloons for students), sort of saved the campus pub from closing, and wrote and implemented a new budget for SUS which gave them their first surplus in years without cancelling any student services. He also went to classes sometimes.
After graduation, Derek chaired the UFV Alumni Association, where he negotiated a new MOU with UFV, achieved BOD gender parity, led the governance committee, pioneered an EDI Officer position, and transitioned the board into modern governance. He has supported the Abbotsford International Airshow Society, MEI Screaming Eagles, Fraser Valley Stage, Mennonite Disaster Service, Latin American Motorcycle Association, Canadian Blood Services, Beedie Luminaries, and others.
Derek has been recognized with leadership and service awards, a UFV President’s Legacy Award, a Certificate of Participation, and 2nd Place Reader in Grade 6 for which he quote: “I’m gonna defeat you one day, Morgan”. To this day, Derek has still not defeated Morgan.
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"Industry Career Prep" is UFV CECE's information session series that provides industry insights and guidance to UFV students and alumni navigating and expanding their career interests.