We’re happy to welcome Kanoa Haley to the Zeitspace family for the Spring/Summer co-op term! Kanoa is a Computer Science student at the University of Guelph, and in our little Q&A below he has plenty to share…
I’ve always found computers fascinating and when I was younger, a mystery. I found that software development opened up the world of computing and instead of being a mystery, everything was now a blank canvas to control. Software development is also extremely rewarding thanks to the problem solving aspect. It constantly involves “detective” work and clever design work to get everything exactly how you want it.
I tend to prefer backend work, which I feel is against the grain when it comes to the average software developer. I’ve always enjoyed the design of programs as well as determining the absolute best solution to a problem more than any sort of UI design. Because of that, for me, backend (and server) development has been appealing since it takes away “pesky” things like UI and all that matters is creating a product which interacts and performs as well as you can make it.
Since I can’t choose just one thing to recommend, I’m going to recommend a few. For a book, I’d greatly recommendThe Glass Castleby Jeannette Walls. It’s a great memoir that really exemplifies how important optimism can be to enjoying yourself. My favourite album isSmoke + Mirrorsby Imagine Dragons. I’m sure you’ve probably heard a song of theirs before (like Radioactive) and this album is my personal favourite. The TV show I would always recommend would have to beWestworld. It’s a great TV show by all accounts and I really like how it touches on the meaning of consciousness.
Definitely the Hydro Cut near The Boardwalk in Waterloo. It’s a nearby and totally free set of mountain biking trails that are perfect for a simple day trip, or even to just go to at lunch.
My other major interest, other than computing, has always been rock climbing. I’ve been training and competing on and off for about 9 years and you can typically find me at the climbing gym or a local cliff when I’m not at work. It’s something I’d highly recommend for everybody to try, it can be a great little hobby, or you can commit and treat it as a competitive and enjoyable sport. In our local area we have Grand River Rocks, a great climbing gym, as well as Mt Nemo and Rattlesnake, which are my favourite cliffs within an hour’s drive.
I have just finished my first year and I have to say that university is an absolutely amazing experience for me. As well, I am unbelievably thankful that I was able to take a co-op program and continue learning and working throughout my studies.