Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Jonas, who is a co-op student with Web Services!

What interests you about this career/co-op position?

As an MPAD (Media Production and Design) student who has already completed one co-op term, joining the Web Services department presents a valuable opportunity for me to apply my knowledge in a practical environment. I am also passionate about web design, content creation, and media production, and I’m looking forward to applying my skills and creativity to produce actual content. I am excited to explore new technologies and further develop my skills in the Web Services department.

Where else have you worked?

This is my second co-op term, so I have already gained some work experience. In my previous co-op position, I served as the electronic media assistant at the AAC (Academic Advising Center) at 杏吧原创 University. My primary responsibilities included creating various forms of media to disseminate information to 杏吧原创 students. Additionally, I developed both internal and external materials, such as presentations and posters. Last summer, I worked as a UI/UX designer at IESLab in Shanghai. IESLab is a carbon data management company that measures the carbon emissions of collaborative companies and design plans to help reduce emissions.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way? 

Throughout my educational and professional journey, I have encountered a wide range of technologies. In my previous co-op position, I utilized tools like Canva, Animaker, and Prezi for design and content creation. My MPAD classes have also introduced me to valuable technologies such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and WordPress. Familiarizing myself with these tools has enabled me to create impactful content and effectively communicate my ideas.

What are the best things about your job? 

MPAD is an interdisciplinary program that combines information technology and journalism. My favorite aspect of the program is the opportunity to explore new fields. MPAD allows me to acquire knowledge from different disciplines, ensuring that I am consistently engaged and never bored with my classes. Additionally, the professors in the MPAD program encourage students to be creative and innovative, which fits perfectly with my passion for integrating creativity into my work.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

I am currently working on enhancing my portfolio website. My goal is to improve both its aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. I have applied new technologies I learned during my co-op term, and I am actively acquiring new skills to further improve my website.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

I love all music genres, but I am currently listening to pop, RnB and rock.

What are you reading at the moment?

I am currently reading a collection of short stories titled 鈥淩ashomon,鈥� written by the Japanese author Ry奴nosuke Akutagawa.

What do you do outside of work/school to amuse yourself?

During my free time, I engage in various activities. I enjoy working out, particularly cardio and weightlifting. Additionally, I have a passion for watching movies and TV shows; I am currently watching the sixth season of Black Mirror. Beyond that, I also spend time cooking and playing video games.

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

In the upcoming year, I plan to travel to several places. I am eager to explore Montreal and Quebec City, where I hope to learn more about their cultures and try the local cuisine.

The post Meet our people: Jonas appeared first on Web Services.

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Adam, who is a Web Developer at Web Services!

What interests you about this career?

I鈥檓 curious by nature. From a very young age, I would take things apart around the house to learn how they worked. (They didn鈥檛 always go back together again) Being a web developer lets me take apart the web to learn how it works.

Where else have you worked?

I have worked in sales, product, marketing, development, and even behind a bar. I鈥檓 a bit of a jack of all trades. 

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about using technology to solve unique pervasive problems. The whole process from identifying a problem, iterating over solutions, and then shipping an amazing product is pure joy! 

What are the best things about your job?

I get to work in a supportive environment with passionate people who are all working towards a common goal. 

What music are you listening at the moment?

What I鈥檓 listening to tends to change from day to day. One day I鈥檒l be listening to folky stuff and another I鈥檒l be listening to some hard psychedelic. This morning I鈥檓 listening to DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. It鈥檚 summertime! 

What are you reading at the moment?

I am currently reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons. It鈥檚 a sci-fi novel about a mysterious world. Aren鈥檛 they all? 

What do you do outside of work/school to amuse yourself?

I am an avid rock climber and I like to repair old cameras and electronics. Yes, these are hobbies I picked up during the pandemic. 

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

My wife and I are currently renovating our basement. Maybe stressful is a better word to describe it? 

The post Meet our people: Adam appeared first on Web Services.

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Niranjith, who is a Senior Web Developer at Web Services!

How did you enter this career?

It all started when I stumbled upon a ProBoards forum discussing a game I was playing at the time. There was an issue they were facing with the template, and I thought I could figure it out. I visited the ProBoards support forum and discovered that the templates were created using JavaScript, so I decided to give it a shot. Soon after, I became an official ProBoards code moderator and started doing freelance web development. This path eventually led me to where I am now, 16 years later.

Where else have you worked?

I have worked at Inova IT Systems in Sri Lanka for more than 10 years, where I had the opportunity to contribute to some amazing projects that helped bring about significant changes in the country. During my tenure, I played a key role in building a team, which grew from 40 to 500 employees.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way?

Technology is constantly evolving, and my curiosity has always driven me to learn new things. Over the years, I have gained experience working with a wide variety of programming languages, including C, C#, PHP, JavaScript, ActionScript, Ruby, HTML, CSS, Python, and Bash. I am well-versed in major frameworks across these languages. In addition, I have extensive experience working with both relational and non-relational databases, such as MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, and Redis. Furthermore, I have focused on cloud infrastructure, particularly AWS, Azure, GCP, and CloudFlare.

What are the best things about your job?

Solving problems and improving people鈥檚 lives as a team. We have the privilege of creating tools that are utilized by a lot of people, and witnessing the thought and effort invested in these projects is truly remarkable. Throughout my years in development, I have consistently been reminded of the immense influence that technology holds in shaping our world.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

I am currently involved in the development of the Raven Design System (RDS). This system aims to unify 杏吧原创’s design language while considering various factors, including accessibility, user experience, and standardization.

What music are you listening at the moment?

“I have been listening to a lot of ‘Ill Ni帽o’ lately. It has been years since I last heard their music, but I have rediscovered the band and am enjoying their tunes once again.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Last Mortal Bond by Brian Staveley is an amazing story and serves as the final book in the series. Personally, I find the side characters more appealing than the main ones. They add depth and intrigue to the overall narrative.

What do you do outside of work to amuse yourself?

I love traveling and exploring various destinations. I enjoy experiencing different cultures and new things. Additionally, I enjoy reading and love to delve into the fantasy world of books. I also enjoy experimenting with new technologies and keeping up with the latest advancements in the field.

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

I will be graduating on June 15th, unlocking my achievement of obtaining a Master of Engineering degree. Afterward, I have plans to travel to Calgary to visit my family and explore the beautiful parks and lakes in the area. I am really looking forward to this trip as it promises to be a fun and exciting experience!

The post Meet our people: Niranjith appeared first on Web Services.

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Mounika, who is a developer at Web Services!

How did you enter this career? 

I have a Bachelors in Computers Science from India. When I came to Canada, I signed up for a coding bootcamp at LightHouse Labs and started working as a developer shortly after that.

Where else have you worked?
Before 杏吧原创, I worked for a Toronto based startup called Speer Technologies. I was a full stack developer there.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way? 

I’ve worked with ReactJS, React Native, WebFlow, Google Firebase, AWS and Docker. I also have experience working with Android and iOS applications.

What are the best things about your job?

I love my team and the collaborative environment we have at 杏吧原创.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

Currently I’m working on CU Theme project. I’ve never worked with WordPress and Guttenberg Blocks before. So it is exciting to learn new things every day.

What music are you listening at the moment?

I haven’t opened Spotify in a while. I should get back into it.

What are you reading at the moment?

I was never much of a reader. I prefer audio books.

What do you do outside of work to amuse yourself?

Binge watching series and movies.

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

I’m having a baby next month!! All my plans are going to revolve around this Meet our People: Mounika appeared first on Web Services.

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Mira, who is a co-op student with Web Services!

What interests you about this career/co-op position?

As a student majoring in Communications and Media Studies at 杏吧原创 University, I鈥檝e spent numerous hours honing my skills in writing, researching, analyzing, and editing tasks. Whether it be essays, presentations, or even creating my own advertisements, it鈥檚 safe to say that I have engaged in various forms of communications. I believe that this co-op position will allow me to further advance in the skills I’ve acquired in my program and apply them in a professional setting. At the same time, I’m eager to delve into the technological sector and learn more about the latest advancements, especially in this ever-evolving technological world we live in.

Where else have you worked?

In my former job, I worked for a small business based in Ottawa known as Daffy鈥檚 Reptiles. I took on the role of a Social Media Coordinator Assistant, where I was required to spend the majority of my time creating digital content and writing well thought out as well as informative texts. Additionally, I had to draft and edit communication artifacts that were later published on social media platforms.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way? 

I have become familiar with various technologies throughout my work and academic journey. These technologies include content creation platforms like iMovie and Canva, which I have used to create engaging visual content. In addition, I have utizilized a content management system known as WordPress to create and modify pages or blogs on websites. On the other hand, when it comes to web analytical tools I鈥檝e learnt to use Emplifi and Google Analytics to gather insights on the performance of social media platforms.

What are the best things about your job? 

One of the highlights of being an ITS Communications Assistant is the chance to not only provide users with valuable technology information but also work on social media platforms. I really enjoy working on social media platforms since they serve as a space where people connect with one another and gain valuable information. With that being said, whenever I am assigned a task involving social media, I consider it a great opportunity to bring important concepts to the forefront and spark meaningful conversations about them with users to help spread awareness.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

Yes, I am currently working on a smartphone security post. The post will discuss the potential risks and the appropriate practices that must be implemented to keep your personal information on your device secure.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

At the moment, my two favourite music genres are RnB and Afrobeats.

What are you reading at the moment?

Instead of reading books, I began looking into the world of podcasts. One of my favourite voices to tune into and that has captured my attention is Jay Shetty – highly recommend!

What do you do outside of work/school to amuse yourself?

Outside of work, I try my best to stay active by spending time at the gym or going on walks (depending on the weather). I also spend a majority of my time with my family and friends whether that’s being at home or outdoors.

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

I plan to visit my extended family back in the UAE. It鈥檚 been about three years since I last saw my grandparents, cousins, aunt, and uncles who I grew up around when I lived in the Gulf. So, I’m truly looking forward to this long awaited reunion.

The post Meet Our People: Mira appeared first on Web Services.

Each month we are profiling one of our Web Services team members. This month we hear all about Kevin!

How did you enter this career? 

My first course in Java and Object-Oriented Programming ignited my interest in computer programming. The manner that data might be input and changed through computational operations to generate a desired output instantly drew my attention. I felt more and more driven as the course went on to incorporate the abilities, I was picking up in the little lab programs into a cohesive product.

Making a Java game was one project that stands out in my memory since it required me to use my object-oriented programming skills to solve a practical issue. My love of programming has only grown stronger because of this experience, which motivated me to continue my education in the subject.

Where else have you worked?

I worked as a software developer in the private sector after obtaining my Master of Computer Science degree, performing data analysis work, and creating software applications for clients. I honed my programming skills in a range of languages, including Python and JavaScript, and mastered frameworks like Flask, Django, and React.

Afterward, I worked at RCS as a researcher software developer, where I honed my web programming and data analysis abilities even more. I worked on a range of projects, including building interactive user interfaces using JavaScript and React and building online applications with Python and Django. These adventures enabled me to grow.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way?

I’ve always been interested in software development and have tried to learn everything I can about it. My career has exposed me to several phases of the lifecycle, from the front-end to the back-end database. I specialize in JavaScript development and have worked with React, Next, and Node. I now have a thorough understanding of the software development process thanks to these experiences, which also let me participate in a range of projects. I have a strong interest in software development and am constantly looking for.

What are the best things about your job?

I am tremendously lucky to be a part of a fantastic Web Services team. Along with being brilliant and skilled, my coworkers are also a lot of fun, kind, and helpful.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

The Ravens Design System user interface (RDS-UI) and the new 杏吧原创 Events Calendar.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

I am currently listening to a mix of jazz pop and soul.

What are you reading at the moment?

Some React and PHP Laravel documentation

What do you do outside of work to amuse yourself?

Watching movies and tv series, and playing video games

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

I am excited to explore new places, especially when the weather turns warmer. I am planning to visit the East Coast, specifically Prince Edward Island since I have never been there before. I am excited to explore the island’s natural beauty and enjoy its delicious seafood.

The post Meet Our People: Kevin appeared first on Web Services.

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Nadine, who is a co-op student with Web Services!

How did you enter this career?

After sitting in back-to-back business and marketing classes and learning only in a classroom setting; I realized I wanted to try learning in a new way where I could apply the knowledge I was taught in class. While applying for co-op jobs, I came across a job posting that would allow myself to use my insights in business, and further my knowledge in information systems with our digitally evolving world. I am excited for my chapter here at Web Services!

Where else have you worked?

Over the summer I had my first co-op term with the Federal Government at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. During my time there, I was a part of the Programs Branch, where I learned the important skills of user-testing and understanding the development of program application forms. I also have years of customer service experience from working at Mark鈥檚 and SportChek.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way?

I am very familiar with Microsoft Office; Excel has simplified my life when working on school, work, and personal tasks. This year, I have been working more with Canva when designing content for my marketing classes. My introductory classes in information systems have also introduced me to understanding the basics of coding through Python and building databases in Microsoft Access. I am looking forward to using WordPress and Jira here at Web Services.

What are the best things about your program?

I am currently studying marketing within 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 Commerce program. The best thing about my program is that I get to be creative and collaborate with other creative minds, where we are constantly building from each other鈥檚 innovative ideas. I also like how I am always learning something new as the marketing industry is forever changing.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

I am currently working on some research for some of my colleagues. I have been doing research on various post-secondary institutions across the nation that use a top-down navigation system for their webpages as opposed to a side navigation system. I like how this project ties in with my areas of interest of marketing and data analytics.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

When it comes to music, I am a human encyclopedia. I listen to a variety of genres such as indie, rock, hip-hop, rap and folk. Lately, I have been listening to 80鈥檚 rock.

What are you reading at the moment?

I really enjoy reading nonfiction books about psychology and cognitive science. I am currently reading two books by Dr. Joe Dispense. One called Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself and another called You Are the Placebo. Both of these books bridge the gap between science and spirituality and discusses the power of our minds over our bodies.

What do you do outside of work to amuse yourself?

If I am not at work, chances are I am at the gym. I really enjoy weightlifting with my friends here at 杏吧原创. Additionally, I spend my time playing field hockey for 杏吧原创鈥檚 Field Hockey Team. Recently this year, I have also been interested in cooking and trying out new recipes with my roommates.

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

I love going to concerts and music festivals. This February, my sister and I are attending Vance Joy鈥檚 concert at the National Arts Centre.

The post Meet Our People: Nadine appeared first on Web Services.

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Isaac, who is a co-op student with Web Services.

How did you enter this career?

Since joining 杏吧原创 as a Media Production and Design student in 2019, I have been sharpening my skills in many different fields. BMPD is a unique program as it combines the teachings of several other degrees together. The research and writing tools taught in Journalism are incorporated with technical skills like programming, graphic and web design, and video production. After learning the essentials of these technical skills in class, I wanted to have the chance to apply them in a practical environment. When I saw the job opening for a Web Communications Advisor at Web Services, I was intrigued as I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to put what I learned in class to the test. Furthermore, it seemed like an extension of my program as I could continue to develop both my technical and communication abilities in the ICT sector.

Where else have you worked?

This past summer, I worked as the Marketing Coordinator at the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (RVWS). I helped manage their social media accounts, design infographics using Adobe Illustrator, produce videos using After Effects and Premiere Pro, take pictures of the rescued animals, and lastly help revamp their website using the Avada plug-in with WordPress.

Before that, I worked at Canada鈥檚 Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN), serving as the Video and Design Marketing Student. There, I designed fun-looking illustrations to go alongside their blogs, updated their website using WordPress, and created an animated video about Smart Mining in Canada. This was a long process involving writing a script, drafting storyboards, designing illustrations and then converting them into animations, finding music and sound effects, editing it all together, and promoting it on social media.

During the first summer of COVID, I launched an odd jobs/landscaping business where I performed a range of jobs like tending to gardens and lawns, installing flagstone pathways, and staining fences. In addition to keeping me busy during those trying times, it also led to the creation of many cherished relationships with my clients. To this day, I continue to aid them on the weekends when I鈥檓 off from work.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way?

Throughout my time studying Media Production and Design and working in co-ops, I have gained lots of experience using all kinds of web design software. I started learning how to use a variety of coding and programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and C. Afterwards, I started learning how to use the Divi and Avada visual builder plug-ins in WordPress to design visually and functionally engaging websites. I鈥檓 also very experienced in using Adobe software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and XD to edit photos design, design graphics and illustrations, and produce videos.

What are the best things about your program?

The best aspect of the Media Production and Design program is the combination of two of my favourite fields: writing and design. Since my childhood, I鈥檝e loved drawing art and over the past several years, I鈥檝e developed an interest in writing. This program was the perfect opportunity for me to marry these interests of mine. I want to continue to learn how to optimally intertwine these two mediums together to produce content that engages all kinds of people.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

My fellow co-op student, Quinn, and I are working on writing weekly articles for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. These articles will cover what phishing is, its different forms and trends, and how to protect yourself from phishing. Hopefully, our articles, in combination with all the other cybersecurity content coming out this month, will help to reduce the number of people who fall victim to phishing attacks.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

I mostly listen to music when I鈥檓 at the gym so it鈥檚 a lot of rock music that helps drive me through a workout. When I鈥檓 working or driving, I often listen to hockey podcasts.

What are you reading at the moment?

I鈥檒l admit I almost never read, but after witnessing the horrendous end of Game of Thrones and loving how House of the Dragon is going so far, I decided to pick up A Song of Ice and Fire to dive deeper into George RR. Martin鈥檚 epic fantasy world. So far, I鈥檓 really enjoying it! I鈥檓 also looking to start reading the dark fantasy manga, Berserk, in the near future.

What do you do outside of work to amuse yourself?

After COVID imprisoned me within my home in March 2020, I decided to finally start getting in shape. While I worked out every once in a while before then, I knew I needed to be consistent if I ever hoped to see results. What started out as doing crunches on the floor beside my bed has developed into going to the gym on a strict schedule and spending far too much money on protein powder.

Apart from that, I love to play and follow hockey. Although it鈥檚 never been at a competitive level, playing hockey with my friends and in front of my family will always be special to me. Additionally, I am a die-hard fan of the Ottawa Senators who spends far too much time looking into stats and reading trade rumours on Twitter.

Lastly, I love relaxing with a nice tv show at the end of the day. Apart from House of the Dragon, I am 325 episodes into One Piece right now. Only 709 more to go! Sigh鈥�.

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

As I鈥檓 really only just starting my time with the Web Services department at 杏吧原创, I鈥檓 really looking forward to continuing my journey with them as I learn more about developing web content.

I don鈥檛 have many big plans but with the Senators seeming much better this year, I hope to go to many more of their games. Also, I鈥檇 like to get out and go camping one last time before the winter comes. Lastly, I鈥檝e been thinking of getting a tattoo for years, but no idea has stuck with me. Hopefully I settle on something and finally get one this year.

The post Meet Our People: Isaac appeared first on Web Services.

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Quinn, who is a co-op student with Web Services.

How did you enter this career?

This is my first co-op term and I’m so excited to be a part of the Web Services team! Technology has revolutionized the way people create, consume and share information. I was interested in this position because I wanted to learn how to effectively communicate in today’s digitally driven world. As well, I wanted to garner an understanding of how websites are designed to optimize the user experience.

Where else have you worked?

For my first job, I was an English Survey Interviewer with MarketQuest Omnifacts Research. Since then, I have worked at Chatime as a Tearista (I miss the “free shift drinks” perk) and at Sansotei Ramen as a server (the tonkotsu black ramen and zangi are amazing). I was also the Director of Communications for the Psychology Society of 杏吧原创 University; a student ran-association that aims to provide academic information, and social opportunities for individuals interested in the field of psychology. Additionally, I was involved with the Community Partnerships Project as a capstone participant; in this experiential learning program, I had the opportunity to develop a social media strategy for the Roger Neilson House.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way?

My program has exposed me to technologies such as Jamovi, SPSS, Visual Studio Code, Qualtrics, Canva, and Microsoft Office suite. I’m hoping to familiarize myself with Figma, Procreate, and Blender out of personal interest. I’m also eager to learn WordPress and Jira throughout my co-op term with Web Services!

What are the best things about your program?

I am enrolled in the B.A. Honours Psychology program at 杏吧原创 University, and I love the flexibility it offers. I’ve been able to take electives in disciplines such as economics, political science, computer science, history, philosophy, and neuroscience; it makes me feel more well-rounded (jack of all trades, hopefully master of psychology). Additionally, professors from the Psychology department are incredibly warm and welcoming; they’re always there if you have any questions or just looking to chat.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

I am currently working with my colleagues to launch the Cyber Security Awareness month (CSAM) campaign. Throughout the month of October, we are hoping to actively educate the 杏吧原创 community about cybersecurity issues. Enroll in our now to learn more about staying safe online!

What music are you listening to at the moment?

No matter what I’m doing, I’m almost always listening to music. I genuinely love all genres but I’m currently playing a lot of indie rock, Japanese pop, and hip-hop.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’ve recently finished reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera; a philosophical fiction that uses its characters as a medium to explore existential weight and light. At the moment, I’m obsessed with isekai manga and webtoons (dear Lee Hyunmin and Kim Hyunsoo, please update The Greatest Estate Developer already).

What do you do outside of work/school to amuse yourself?

When I’m at home, I love working on art projects (currently attempting screen printing and crocheting). I also spend an absurd amount of time playing mobile games but let’s not talk about it. Outside of that, I love exploring the city and what it has to offer (hiking trails, local restaurants and businesses, festivals, museums, art galleries, farmer’s markets, you name it).

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

I’m really looking forward to visiting my hometown in Newfoundland, as well as some friends in Halifax and Toronto. I’m also keeping my fingers crossed for a new piercing or tattoo in the upcoming year.

The post Meet Our People: Quinn appeared first on Web Services.

Every month we are profiling one of the Web Services Department鈥檚 team members. This month we hear about Isabella, who is a co-op student with Web Services.

How did you enter this career?

As a combined Journalism and Communication and Media Studies student, I was interested in this co-op position because I wanted to familiarize myself with the communications side and technical aspects of content creation and web design/ development, using various platforms and software. I was also interested in the idea of working and creating web content because I wanted to gain an appreciation for understanding the technical processes of web content development. I also wanted to gain more of an appreciation for the internal and external infrastructure that supports the university鈥檚 web content. Regardless of the career, I believe that these are beneficial tools to learn and know how to use. I look forward to learning these tools throughout my first co-op term.

Where else have you worked?

Last summer I worked as a feature writer at Ottawa Life Magazine where I wrote articles about a wide variety of topics, such as the best restaurants in Ottawa, and local businesses and arts festivals. During previous summers I worked as a camp counsellor and a lifeguard at a camp for people with disabilities. Additionally, I also worked as a lifeguard for the City of San Antonio鈥檚 Parks and Recreation Department.

What are some of the technologies you have used along the way?

I have experience with Microsoft Office Suite software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I also have experience with the platform WordPress from my previous journalism classes. I will gain even more experience with WordPress, Jira, and Emplifi throughout my co-op term. Additionally, I have used photo and video editing platforms such as Canva, Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, and Final Cut Pro. Over the past few years, I have also become familiar with Zoom, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams.

What are the best things about your program?

One of the best aspects of my Journalism program is that I have the opportunity to meet and speak with amazing people throughout the process of writing my articles. I love interviewing new people and listening to their stories. I believe everyone has a unique story to convey. Additionally, the journalism staff and students are truly inspiring. It is no surprise that 杏吧原创鈥檚 journalism program is internationally renowned.

Do you have some exciting projects you are working on right now?

Currently, my colleague, Sarah, and I are working on creating a self-guided training course for accessibility training. Having some background working with kids and adults with both mental and physical disabilities, I appreciate how important accessibility is, and I am excited to see what we can create.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Generally, I listen to artists such as Bad Bunny or the Wallows. Bad Bunny鈥檚 new album, 鈥淯n Verano Sin Ti鈥�, was released recently, so I have been enjoying listening to his new songs. Harry Styles also released his new album, 鈥淗arry鈥檚 House鈥�, so the song, 鈥淎s It Was鈥� has been playing on repeat in my room.

What are you reading at the moment?

Right now, I am reading a romance novel called 鈥淚t Ends with Us鈥�, by Colleen Hoover. Usually, I find historical, nonfiction novels, and biographies very interesting; however, a friend highly recommended this book and I have been enjoying it so far.

What do you do outside of work/school to amuse yourself?

I enjoy being outside, painting, cooking, baking, camping, hiking, and riding a bike whenever the weather is nice. I love making cookies, brownies, quiche, apple crisps, muffins, and fudge for other people. I also love going to farmer鈥檚 markets and thrift stores.

What exciting plans do you have coming up in the next year?

I hope to visit my family in Texas at the end of the summer. I also hope to visit some of my other family members in New Brunswick. I am also currently taking a summer dance class at 杏吧原创. Although I have never taken any dance classes, my friend and I thought this would be something exciting and fun to do during the summer. Hopefully, I will learn some useful dance skills if I am ever a part of a flash mob. Additionally, this summer, I hope to create a food blog or Instagram page showcasing the best places to eat in Ottawa. I recently moved to a place in Centertown, near Bank Street, and there are so many unique restaurants and nooks that I would like to explore. My dream is to become a food blogger/ writer one day, so this seems like a good place to start.

The post Meet Our People: Isabella appeared first on Web Services.