A journey of personal and professional growth

During his first co-op experience as a Junior Technical Analyst for the Ministry of Transportation, Merino gained practical experience working in a large team, where he managed the progress of assigned tasks. This opportunity helped him transition from the classroom to a professional workplace.  

 

Taking what he learned, Merino transitioned into his next role as a Junior Programmer for the Treasury Board where he learned to use new technologies and tools to develop applications.   

 

Reflecting on his time with the OPS, Merino values having practical hands-on experiences in conjunction with classroom learning. Merino is a firm believer that real-world experiences are just as important as the knowledge and skills he gained while attending Sheridan. Each work-term experience provided an opportunity for Merino to challenge himself and apply his skills.  

 

“Both of my experiences contributed to my personal and professional growth by giving me real world experience with development teams bringing high quality products to the public,” said Merino, adding that each of his work experiences boosted his confidence in his skills allowing him to pursue new opportunities. 

 

When asked about the advice he had for future co-op students, Merino advises to “Chase opportunities even if they seem difficult to achieve. Take every opportunity to get out of your comfort zone, it might not be easy at first, but it will pay off.”