Technical Migration Manager (Computer Science, BSc)

Anthony Pasto, Scotiabank

By: Ama Ansah, Outreach and Support Peer

Before the interview commenced, Anthony posed a thought-provoking question: “What are ten things thatmatter most to you? Now, narrow that list to five—then to three.” Keep your final choices in mind as you read this article and see how they align with Anthony’s career journey!

Anthony Pasto graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science in 1996. He always loved technology. In his early years, he offered his services to small businesses, building their websites. Although he enjoyed this work during university, he realized that his true interest was in IT infrastructure rather than software engineering. Before joining a global bank like Scotiabank, Anthony spent several years working at tech startups. He began his career as an IT engineer before transitioning into IT management roles at NuComm, TransUnion, and NPEI. With over 15 years of experience as an IT manager, he later joined Scotiabank, where he now serves as a Technical Migration Manager.

Anthony's main role is to assist and provide support to technical migrations within Scotiabank’s infrastructure, ensuring smooth transitions across multiple business lines. As a Technical Migration Manager utilizing project management skills, he is responsible for coordinating migration schedules, tracking progress, and mitigating potential risks to ensure timely and efficient delivery. Anthony collaborates closely with application teams, vendors, and stakeholders to facilitate migration health checks, manage change records, and communicate updates.

According to Anthony, the key skills required for success in this role include strong communication, negotiation, and the ability to work under pressure. Anthony did not initially consider becoming a manager. However, in his early roles, his ability to not only meet the technical demands of his position but also clearly explain and present his work set him apart. His strong communication and presentation skills ultimately led to him being offered a managerial position. Additionally, Anthony’s role is closely tied to customer support, making it particularly demanding — especially when handling urgent issues with tight deadlines. As a Technical Migration Manager, Anthony collaborates with team members on activities for specific projects such as data centre builds, billing system and storage area network integrations, network and security deployments, and telephony rollouts—all while ensuring stakeholder alignment and driving project success. This requires more than just technical expertise; it demands the ability to manage stress, stay composed under pressure, and make strategic decisions that balance business objectives with operational efficiency. Effective leadership in this role also involves collaborating across departments, mitigating risks, and ensuring seamless execution of technical projects.

To become a Project Manager (PM), it is typically beneficial to have a few years of experience in the field, ideally with some leadership background, as well as a Project Management certification. However, there are exceptions. As mentioned earlier, Anthony worked for several years as an IT Manager before transitioning to a Technical Migration role at Scotiabank. Due to his extensive experience, Scotiabank hired him without requiring a formal Project Management certification. Nonetheless, throughout his career, he pursued management courses, an Agile certification, and system engineering courses to further enhance his qualifications. Naturally, obtaining these certifications can be expensive. That is why Anthony suggested an alternative—if you’re already employed at a company, consider applying internally for a project management position. If selected for an interview, you can negotiate training opportunities as part of your employment package, as many companies cover training costs for their employees. Additionally, hiring from within is typically more efficient since internal candidates are already familiar with company operations. Anthony strongly encourages candidates to leverage internal hiring advantages and negotiate accordingly.

To succeed in a Technical Migration or any IT Management role, having strong knowledge of computer networks, cloud computing, and networking is essential. Anthony mentioned using Coursera and Udemy for his learning. Since technology is always evolving, staying up to date with industry trends is crucial. Anthony recommends the following resources:

• AWS Architecture Blog – Offers insights and updates on cloud architecture and solutions.
• TechCrunch Newsletter – Provides the latest news and trends in technology, including architecture.
• LeanIX Blog – Covers skill sets, career paths, and must-haves for solution architects.
• O'Reilly Media – Offers books and resources on cloud solution architecture.

Returning to Anthony’s initial question of "What are your top three most important priorities?”, my key drivers are family, career development, and social connection. Anthony emphasized that while people often prioritize others, caring for oneself is essential to effectively supporting those around us. Without maintaining personal well-being and happiness, it becomes challenging to be present for others or be fully engaged in one’s career. Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish; it’s a necessary foundation for a fulfilling life and rewarding career path. As Anthony wisely stated, always make yourself a key part of your priorities. How does this perspective align with your top three essential values?