Ksenia Daich is a 2018 graduate of the Computer Programmer Analyst (Co-op) program. She worked with the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (WAMIC) as a Software Developer between November 2017 and March 2019.
She now works at Gaming Laboratories International, LLC, as a Software QA Engineer. In her role, she makes sure the team is delivering a bug-free, top-tier product to their clients. Read on to learn about her journey.
I graduated in November 2018 from the Computer Programmer Analyst (Co-op) program.
Way back in 2014, I was recommended Niagara College (NC) by one of the organizations that organized studying abroad. They spoke very highly of NC. Back then, I decided to go to Germany instead since it was closer to home, but after realizing I wanted to pursue Information Technology, I remembered NC and thought it was better suited for that.
I was a Software Developer between November 2017 and March 2019.
I’m currently working as a Software QA Engineer. I make sure we’re delivering a bug-free, top-tier product to our clients.
I think the biggest help was learning how to communicate with real, external stakeholders and clients. It’s a completely different beast. I always found communication harder than others, but my co-op experience taught me how to not be afraid to voice my opinion and how to be myself. I have a lot of gratitude to my mentor, Neil Wilkinson, for helping me through those challenges.
There’s one which was very fun. I still remember one project where all the members of the team were trying to find solutions to digitize their tire codes for import/export. I remember researching government pages regarding those codes. It was my first time travelling to a client’s location and truly experiencing how a business works.
I met my partner, and I won $500 for academic excellence!
I will never forget the kindness and support both Neil Wilkinson and Marsha Baddeley showed me when I was going through a rough patch in my life as a student. I didn’t know I could reach out for help, and they saw I needed it, and they reached out and they offered help. I saw firsthand how powerful that can be, and I realized it was okay to ask for help.
I think the biggest help was learning how to communicate with real, external stakeholders and clients. It’s a completely different beast. I always found communication harder than others, but my co-op experience taught me how to not be afraid to voice my opinion and how to be myself.
Ksenia Daich
Your professors truly care about you and your well-being. Don’t be afraid to mention if you struggle.
Aside from communication, I think I’ve mastered the ability to gather my thoughts and operate under extreme stress and deadlines when the need arises.
I run, bike, or go bouldering for fitness. I recently got into drawing and adult colouring books which allows me to express my creativity. And I play a lot of video games with my partner.
Learning how to enjoy fitness and becoming physically strong and resilient. I’ve never been sporty, and I find gyms extremely boring so to me finally finding an activity that pushes me physically and mentally is extremely important. Currently, I’m doing a mix of bouldering, running and biking.
It’s never too late to start something new.
I don’t watch many TV shows, I’m into video games a lot more and currently I’m playing a lot of Civilization VI.
