Faculty of Computer Science blog

Name: Sean Lalla (BCS’22, BSc'22, current MSc candidate)

Co-op Placements: VeroSource Solutions Inc.
Current Employer: VeroSource Solutions Inc.
Computer science alumnus Sean Lalla learned firsthand how experiential opportunities increase students’ exposure to various new technologies and help build a more robust application for graduate studies.

Did you experience any unexpected benefits from completing a co-op placement?

When I started in computer science as an undergrad, I realized early on that I wanted to learn more about machine learning, but the classes I wanted to take were only offered at a graduate level. During my placement with VeroSource, I experienced firsthand use cases for machine learning in the real world. Thanks to that exposure and working experience, I qualified to enrol in a master’s level course in machine learning as an undergraduate student.

What is the value of learning computer science practices on the job?

One of the major takeaways is that learning is a lifelong experience. It doesn’t end when I graduate. When I started at VeroSource, I didn’t have in-depth knowledge of the technology I was using. Learning by doing is very different from learning in a classroom. Collaboration with colleagues is invaluable. I learned tried and tested approaches and benefited from their experiences and takeaways from primary challenges.

What type of work experience did you receive through your placement at VeroSource?

At VeroSource, co-op students work on core products, including the COVID testing result apps deployed for New Brunswick and Manitoba. The work we do together at VeroSource has a meaningful impact on people in the community. I appreciated the opportunity to work on high-profile items, from web development to user interface (UI) modifications to managing new features on websites. It’s a wonderful variety of work experiences that have served me well.

How do you balance working part-time for VeroSource with a graduate courseload?

VeroSource is extremely supportive of higher education, reskilling and upskilling. They support my current MSc work one hundred percent.  I appreciate working for a company like VeroSource. I started my professional experience program placement in May 2020 and finished my work term in May 2021 in the upper years of my bachelor’s degree. I started my masters in September 2021 and began working around 25 to 30 hours a week with VeroSource. It’s a perfect balance between professional development and my academic work.

Learn more about how UNB and VeroSource are working together to provide opportunities for talent to advance their career and expand their skillsets in New Brunswick.

More information
UNB Computer Science | CS Co-op Program | VeroSource Solutions Inc.