Building confidence through code

For third-year Sheridan Honours Bachelor of Computer Science student Isla Mukheef, stepping into applied research at Generator at Sheridan’s Centre for Applied AI (CAAI) has been more than an academic experience; it has also been a defining moment in building the confidence and skills needed to succeed in a future digital technology career.

Through her work as a student researcher at CAAI, Mukheef has contributed to several industry and community-driven projects, each offering a different lens into how technology can solve real-world challenges. Together, these experiences have allowed her to move beyond theory and into hands-on skills development, working with live systems, real users and evolving project requirements.

One of Mukheef’s most notable experiences at CAAI was contributing to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Mobilize Seed Fund-supported project ‘Scholarship Whizz’, which designed an AI-powered platform to help students identify scholarship opportunities aligned with their academic backgrounds and goals. Supported by CAAI Research Manager Dr. Haruna Isah, she played a central role in developing the platform end-to-end, applying full-stack development, data management and AI integration to create a seamless and accessible user experience. She also prepared comprehensive technical documentation outlining the system’s architecture, deployment and maintenance, and presented the platform to the project partner, The Scholarship Whizz, to support a smooth handover and successful adoption.to support a smooth handover and successful adoption.

Another common thread that has appeared during Mukheef’s time at CAAI is her ability to adapt, learn and take on complex challenges, even when stepping into unfamiliar territory. For her, that willingness to embrace uncertainty has been key to growth.

“It's okay to feel uncertain at the beginning of a project,” she says. “No one starts out knowing everything. Taking on new challenges is how you learn, improve and build confidence.”

By building critical skills in AI integration, stakeholder engagement and team collaboration, Mukheef has gained a deeper understanding of how technology is applied beyond the classroom. This is an experience that has left her feeling more prepared and confident as she steps into her career.

For Mukheef, her time as a student researcher ultimately bridged the gap between learning and doing, transforming knowledge into impact and potential into confidence.

Interested in learning more about how to get involved as a student in research, innovation and entrepreneurship at Sheridan? Visit sheridancollege.ca/generator.