A UWindsor computer science student has a lot to say following a year-long internship with a German manufacturing company. 

Jai Priyadarshi recently completed his placement at Schaeffler Group in Herzogenaurach, Germany where he worked as a software developer.

“For the first month, I had a couple of training sessions with my supervisor Dr. Andrei Degtiarev for better understanding the software I had to develop,” the 22-year-old international student said.

Priyadarshi said the placement allowed him to improve his knowledge and gain experience by working in areas such as scripting in PowerShell, developing features for graphic user interface using C# programming language, developing a domain specific language in F# programming language and unit testing of new features.

On top of broadening his programming lexicon, Priyadarshi took German language lessons with Schaeffler outside of office hours.

He says he can now speak conversational German which helped him in networking with people both in and outside the company.

“One thing I gained from my time there is how to go into a new country and learn how they work,” Priyadarshi said.

Schaeffler Technologies is a global automotive and industrial supplier that manufactures plain bearing solutions and components for engine, transmission and chassis applications.

Undergraduate students in computer science have the opportunity to apply to the co-operative education program and must complete at least three paid work experiences during their four-year honours program.

Priyadarshi said his advice to students looking for an internship is to “see what area interests you the most in the field of computer science and don’t be too selective when applying for your very first internship.”

“After my second year I sent out around 30 applications but had limited experience and didn’t get an interview call,” he recalled.

“I went back home to India, worked on a small project, did a volunteer internship through VIP program of UWindsor and worked as a teaching assistant which added to my professional experience.”

After sending out 10 applications in his third year, Priyadarshi received four interviews.

Raised in New Delhi, India, Priyadarshi said he learned the foundation of programming back in school and had an understanding of web development and databases by Grade 10.

With an aunt and uncle in Ann Arbor, Mich., he decided to pursue his post-secondary education overseas and selected UWindsor to be close to family.

“Taking computer science at the University of Windsor helped me strengthen and elaborate my technical skills and my co-op experience added to it by working in a team, solving complex problems, learning new technical and organisational skills,” he said.

Going forward, Priyadarshi said he would like to work as a software developer in Canada with a focus more towards artificial intelligence.

Parking services reminds its student patrons that those holding hunting parking permits will have access to a new parking lot located at the northwest corner of Wyandotte St. W. and Huron Church Rd. This new lot is directly across the street from Essex Hall, beside the cemetery. This will replace one of the parking lots, Lot B, near the Ambassador Bridge, which is no longer available due to construction on and around the bridge.

Student parking is reserved and restricted to the north section of the lot. Permit holders are asked to continue to display their existing parking permit from their rear view mirror at all times.

For a campus parking map visit: http://www.uwindsor.ca/sites/uwindsor.ca.dailynews/files/parkingmapsept2017.png

UWindsor Welcome Week festivities continue today — Tuesday, September 5 — with events in settings across campus.

At 11 a.m., teams of students will begin a scavenger hunt from the David A. Wilson Commons alongside Turtle Island Walk, which is also the site of the Involvement Fair from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The fair will feature opportunities to get active in the campus and neighbouring communities.

Lancer women’s volleyball will host a squad from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in a pre-season exhibition contest at 2 p.m. in the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse, and the game theme continues through a board game social at 7 p.m. in Vanier Hall’s Katzman Lounge and trivia contest in the CAW Student Centre Commons at 8 p.m.

First-year students won’t want to miss two events Wednesday, September 6. Program orientation sessions, in varying locations across campus, will provide detailed information for every academic discipline. The Welcoming Celebration will formally inaugurate the incoming class, and promises prize draws, at 3 p.m. in the fieldhouse.

Find a full list of orientation events, locations, and times in the Guidebook app: download it now.

Disability Studies Program student Melissa Parent got straight down to business shortly after registering at the University of Windsor, taking her interests and talents to Family Respite Services (FRS) Windsor and Essex County on a part-time basis – an experience she calls life-changing.

FRS works in partnership with families who have children with disabilities. The organization coordinates support and provides short breaks that strengthen families and contribute to children having meaningful lives in their community.

For the past five years Melissa has been a Direct Support Provider for a little girl named Suma – taking her to visit the park, library, riverfront and other interesting locations in the community. The pair work on social skills through play-based activities and social outings that help Suma make new friends.

“I am in awe of how much Suma has changed over the years,” Melissa says.

“She has made so many gains in all aspects of life. When I first started working with her she had limited ways to express herself. Five years later, after lots of determination and tools that I have learned through school, we have worked on ways in which she can seek out a conversation and express her thoughts, feelings, her likes and dislikes.” 

Alexandria Fischer, Community Relations officer with Family Respite Services, says respite providers are paid individuals who can be positive role models, community connectors, and enjoy providing important personal support to children with disabilities. She says students with career goals in such fields as social work, nursing, teaching, and child care often find that respite services are an excellent way to gain field experience and make a valuable contribution to the community.

Melissa says the experience has helped her grow as a person both personally and professionally.

“Being a Direct Support Provider has been an awesome experience that I plan to continue throughout my life. The University of Windsor and Family Respite Services has provided me with so many opportunities that I am grateful for. I treasure my time with Suma and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity…the children are counting on us.”

For more information on becoming a respite provider visit www.familyrespite.org, or connect with FRS directly at info@familyrespite.org, or 519-972-9688 x 156

Registration is now open for a September 29 conference exploring best practices, clinical tools, and initiatives surrounding digital dependency.

The Digital Dependency Awareness Conference is aimed at addictions counsellors, outreach workers, youth-oriented professionals, physicians, and all social service providers interested in the issue of video game and internet dependency.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with professionals in the field and learn about this issue,” says committee chair Chelsea Romualdi, a counsellor with the Problem Gambling Services of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.

The event is set for the centre’s Tayfour campus, 1453 Prince Road. An early-bird rate promises $15 in savings for registering before September 10. Learn more on the conference website.