CEPS Student Feature- Smaranjeet Singh
Choosing the right post-secondary school and program heavily impacts the course of one’s life. Smaranjeet is from Delhi, India who decided to take the journey to Canada, where he is currently a third-year Computer Science major at the University of Guelph.
Smaranjeet was attracted to Canada’s natural beauty and the welcoming community. When it came to choosing where he wanted to take his studies, University of Guelph’s commitment to being green, academic reputation, and overall campus vibe influenced his choice. Smaranjeet was also fortunate to receive the $8,500 international student scholarship.
Smaranjeet recognizes that his program comes with its challenges, but what he appreciates is “the collaborative spirit among peers, the invaluable assistance from our TAs, and the guidance of our professors.” He shared a memorable A-HA moment that happened during his data structures course. “I recall a lecture when the professor explained the concept of recursion: Imagine a mind-bending hall of mirrors at a funhouse. Imagine you're standing between two huge mirrors facing each other. When you look into one mirror, you see yourself, but you also see that reflection reflecting into the other mirror, and so on, creating an infinite line of reflections. Boom! That’s recursion…That class taught me how things are difficult until it becomes easy.”
The Co-op program at the University of Guelph has also allowed Smaranjeet to get rewarding workplace experience. Currently in his third term with the Co-Operators, he has been working as a data analyst for the insurance company. Previously, he worked as an IT Support Specialist for the University of Guelphs' CCS department. Smaranjeet reflected on these opportunities, stating that they have “bridged the gap between practice and theory, not only bolstering my skill set, but providing insight into potential tech-industry career paths”.
For students who are considering coming to Guelph for Computer Science, Smaranjeet emphasizes strongly how this program is sure to leave a remarkable impact. “The program not only offers a solid foundation in computer science concepts but also provides numerous opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world experience”. He also mentioned how the Universities commitment to sustainability and lively campus culture make for an ideal learning environment. Plus, with cities like Toronto and Mississauga nearby, there are plenty of career and networking opportunities.
Post-graduation, Smaranjeet is planning on building his future in Canada and entering the field of Big Data and AI. He is also considering the possibility of pursuing further education, such as a master’s degree, to delve deeper into AI. “Ultimately, my aim is to make a meaningful impact in the tech world and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible”.