Experience in Cyber Security Opens New Career Considerations for Second-Year Student

A second-year Computer Science co-op student has already checked off an item from her “bucket list” of co-op experiences she’s pursuing at Trent.  

Amber Welby (Lady Eaton College) recently completed a government placement working for the Department of National Defence. 

“My major project this term involves creating a centralized location for members of the department to efficiently find the information they need,” Amber said. 

The four-month placement helped Amber develop important professional skills, such as project planning, while also learning about government processes.  

“I get to be involved in a lot of different areas in the department,” Amber said.  “I am involved with my team’s projects, as well as with teams working in other areas. I work on different projects and can get to learn about how work gets done collaboratively within and across different areas.” 

The Support to Succeed

Preparing for success in this co-op placement was possible with the help of Trent professors, class work, and co-op-specific seminars, which are offered by both academic programs and Trent’s Careerspace. 

“I think my co-op seminars helped prepare me a lot for my work term,” said Amber. “I was able to get information on what to expect for both the hiring process and the work environment.” 

Upon entering the co-op stream of the Computer Science program, Amber recalls the important role her Trent professors played to shine a light on opportunities and what to expect working in the sector.  

“While security was not a field I expected I would work in, I enjoyed my co-op experience and it is now a career path I would consider pursuing in the future,” Amber said. 

After having a positive learning experience in an unexpected co-op position, she says she is excited to make the most out of future co-op work terms and the co-op experience.  

“There are a lot of fields and possibilities in tech and computer science, and I’m not sure where I want to go right now,” Amber said. “My co-op goal is to gather as wide a variety of experiences as possible so I can be confident in the direction I take my career after graduation.” 

Amber’s bucket list also includes a technical/coding placement and a placement in a city away from home and school, which she will be able to accomplish through her remaining co-op terms. 

Learn about Computer Science and co-op at Trent. 

Posted on February 8, 2023