Featured Student: Himanshu Chotwani

What is your field of study?

My field of study is Computer Science. 

Why did you choose to enroll in co-op?

I choose to enroll in co-op to get the industry experience most students lack once they graduate, to improve skills learned in school by putting them into use to solve real-life problems, to experiment in different fields in Computer Science, and to earn and save some money as being an international student is hard. 

Which positions did you work during co-op?

I worked as a Research Assistant/ R&D Engineer at Vancouver Coastal Health for my first co-op and worked as an Agile Developer(Software Engineer Intern) at SAP for my second co-op, both were 8-month positions.

Can you share your favourite experience(s) while in co-op?

My favorite experience while on co-op was when I was working at VGH, I got to virtually plan jaw reconstruction surgeries with my supervisor, Head and Neck Cancer specialist. It was once in a lifetime experience for me, I also got to see the live surgery.

What was your best achievement in co-op?

I don't have a best achievement for my co-op I can share a few though from both of my co-op positions: successfully pre-planning virtual jaw reconstruction surgeries (21 in total), improving the jaw reconstruction algorithm I was working on, writing the grant application to win the second prize in Innovators' Challenge 2019 by VGH Foundation worth $75,000.  For SAP, working on the release of a major UI feature of SAP Analytics Cloud which was later featured by a top executive in a live customer demo. Also, implementing Proof of Concept for a subsequent UI feature using React.js which is to be released soon (November). These experiences make me proud because they are unique and I had never even imagined I would get to make such a huge impact at the beginning of my career.

How do you feel co-op helped your personal growth?

Co-op has immensely helped me in my personal growth, I feel more confident my communication, teamwork, adaptability, and leadership skills have increased so much working as an independent developer at my first co-op I had to adapt to the environment and be decisive.

What were some unexpected challenges you experienced during co-op?

Unexpected challenges are pretty common whether it is life or co-op, I had one in my first co-op where the 3D-printer I worked with broke down, and knowing nothing about hardware, being a Computer Science major not an Electrical Engineer, I had to repair it on my own by dissembling the parts and testing what part was malfunctioning and replacing it.

What things did you wish you knew at the beginning—before you started co-op?

I wish I had taken a couple of third year level courses before my first application round of co-op. Application process/interviews can be brutal sometimes, having more knowledge doesn't hurt.

Would you recommend co-op in another city? Why?

I would definitely recommend co-op in another city even though I didn't get a chance to do so. But, I did do summer abroad, it's a great experience getting out of the comfort zone and see what's life like outside Vancouver. 

How do you feel co-op has helped your career?

Co-op has helped me gain pivotal work experience which most employers ask for from new graduates, I know so many technologies and different areas of computer science I doubt I would have learned if not for co-op. 

What advice would you offer to future co-op students?

The advice I would give future co-op students is that take a leap of faith and try positions you find fascinating but you're not totally sure about. Co-op is all about trying to find the best work possible for you and make the most out of it. 

What are you looking forward to after graduation?

After graduation I plan to get a job, most probably as a Software Engineer, I haven't given much thought about doing more studies, grad school, but that option is still there but I don't want to jump straight into that.