By Fallon Bourgeois

From prototyping a censor-error notification system for marine vessels, to working with a company that powers the largest fleet of aircrafts and helicopters in over 200 countries and territories, you could say Dylan Seitz has been involved in some impressive projects. And they’ve all been through the computer science co-op program.

A brighter future

“These are learning opportunities you could never get in the classroom,” says the fourth-year student. “Dal has an amazing group of faculty and staff who create a terrific learning environment; co-op placements just take it to the next level.”

For Dylan, his co-op experiences, much like his four years at Dal, have made his future much brighter.

With each new experience, both in and outside the classroom, he’s gained many new skills and knowledge that have not only provided a first-class education, but comfort in knowing he can leave university and “hit the ground running.”

Enabling a rich undergraduate experience

As he reflects on all of the great things he has achieved and been involved with as an undergraduate student, Dylan says there is one thing that he is particularly grateful for: a Schulich scholarship. As a grade 12 student preparing for his future, the idea of perusing a post-secondary education and the associated finances were overwhelming.

“When I reflect on what I’ve gained, and what my experiences would have been if not for my scholarship, I’d be in a very different position,” says Dylan. “The scholarship not only allowed me to study and live at Dal for four years, but to take hold of every opportunity that came my way, especially when it came to co-op placements and student life.”

For Dylan, these involvements were all about broadening horizons.

“That’s the glory of these experiences.  You can leave university with a very concrete idea of what you like to do and the skills to launch yourself into a career. Since the day I received my Schulich scholarship, I felt my future would be brighter, and the past four years have certainly affirmed that.”