University of Windsor civil engineering student Julian Houle-Tymeczko gained hands-on experience in waterways engineering and project management during a co-op placement with the Canadian Coast Guard's Waterways Management Program in Sarnia. (SUBMITTED BY JULIAN HOULE-TYMECZKO/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
From assessing navigation risks on the Detroit River to developing tools that support dredging projects, University of Windsor civil engineering student Julian Houle-Tymeczko is helping the Canadian Coast Guard tackle challenges that keep Canada's waterways navigable.
After completing a summer co-op placement with the Coast Guard's Waterways Management Program in Sarnia, Houle-Tymeczko has been invited to return for a second work term from January to April 2027.
For the aspiring transportation engineer, the experience offered an opportunity to apply classroom learning to maintaining navigation channels.
"I have always been interested in pursuing a career in transportation engineering, particularly in the planning, development and maintenance of large-scale infrastructure projects," said Houle-Tymeczko. "I was drawn to the Canadian Coast Guard's Waterways Management Program because it offered an opportunity to gain hands-on experience applying civil engineering principles to real-world challenges."
During his placement, he supported engineering and project management activities related to navigation-channel maintenance and dredging projects on the St. Clair, Detroit and St. Marys rivers.
His work included contributing to a Detroit River navigation risk study, reviewing the Coast Guard's channel design guidelines and developing a prototype calculator to estimate dredging volumes and costs.
Houle-Tymeczko said his engineering studies at UWindsor helped prepare him for the technical demands of the placement, particularly the mathematics and problem-solving involved.
"Waterways engineering is a very niche field, and I have had some exposure to it through the transportation and traffic engineering course I am currently taking in third year," he said.
The experience also strengthened his ability to interpret technical information, analyze data and collaborate with engineers on practical challenges.
Sam Matheson, a Waterways Management engineer and Houle-Tymeczko's supervisor, said the student quickly became a valuable member of the team.
"Julian impressed me with his enthusiasm, professionalism and ability to adapt to new challenges," said Matheson. "He demonstrated strong technical ability, initiative and adaptability."
Beyond his work on navigation and dredging, Houle-Tymeczko researched technologies for treating contaminated sediment and supported a workboat refurbishment project. Matheson also praised his ability to develop recommendations from a comparative review of navigation-channel design guidelines.
For Houle-Tymeczko, one of the most rewarding aspects of the placement was seeing how engineering calculations and technical analysis contribute to practical decision-making.
"I also enjoyed the opportunity to learn from my supervisor Sam and see how different considerations come together when addressing an engineering problem," he said.
Matheson said the experience demonstrates how co-op education can connect classroom learning with the practical demands of engineering work.
"They allow students to apply their knowledge to real engineering challenges while developing technical judgment, problem-solving skills and professional confidence," he said. "Our organization also benefits from their enthusiasm, fresh perspectives and technical contributions."
Houle-Tymeczko's contributions also earned him a nomination for the University of Windsor's Rising Star Award, which recognizes excellence among co-op students during their work placements.
With a second work term ahead, Houle-Tymeczko looks forward to rejoining the team and building on what he learned.
"I am most looking forward to being part of the work group and team once again," he said.