For Aleysha Mullen, there are benefits to having a sibling by her side 鈥� even at university.
鈥淭he list of benefits of studying alongside a sibling goes on and on, from studying together to always having someone there to act as your proof reader,鈥� she says. 鈥淥f course, a little sibling rivalry has motivated me to do my very best!鈥�
This week, Aleysha graduates from the Faculty of Computer Science alongside brother Jordan.
And they aren鈥檛 even the first members of the Mullen family to graduate from the Faculty. and they aren鈥檛 the first members of the Mullen family to get the technology bug and study within the Faculty.
鈥淥ur brother was studying Computer Science at Dal when I was in high school, he loved the program and the university,鈥� explains Jordan. James, the elder brother, graduated in in 2015 with a Bachelor in Computer Science and now works for global aerospace, defense, security and advanced technologies company Lockheed Martin.
Making connections
鈥淭he Faculty of Computer Science has a great reputation and the co-op program at AV俱乐部 seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to get some industry experience under my belt before I graduated,鈥� says Jordan who is graduating with a Bachelor of Computer Science degree. 鈥淚 also love Halifax.鈥�
Aleysha graduates with a Bachelor of Informatics (now Bachelor of Applied Computer Science), and she echoes her brother鈥檚 sentiment that family ties have been a key influence.
鈥淢y family and friends and in Halifax, this was a real motivator in wanting to stay on the East Coast,鈥� she says. 鈥淛ames really enjoyed studying Computer Science which helped in inspiring me to consider it as an option.鈥�
Both Aleysha and Jordan also credit technology鈥檚 role in the world as a big reason why they chose Computer Science.
Jordan and Aleysha during their first year at Dal.
鈥淎fter job shadowing some Informatics employees at a hospital, I liked the idea of solving problems and improving real world processes using technology,鈥� Aleysha says. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have any previous exposure to coding and didn鈥檛 actually think I would be well suited to it 鈥� I was certainly wrong about that!鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e always had an appreciation for the convenience that technology adds to my life,鈥� adds Jordan. 鈥淭he thought of learning the more intricate details of technology and how hardware and software collaborates was very appealing.鈥�
Looking ahead
Since finishing classes in the summer, Aleysha has started work with her former co-op employer Mobia.
鈥淢y third co-op term landed me a position at Dartmouth-based Mobia, a tech consulting company,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚 am now working there as a developer on their Big Data team and so far I am loving it! I鈥檓 not sure what the future holds, for now I鈥檇 like to continue learning through experience and potentially get my project management certification.鈥�
Jordan is also driven to develop his skills and experience after convocation.
鈥淣ow that I鈥檓 finished with my studies, I鈥檓 eager to get myself established in the technology industry. Halifax is a great place to do that,鈥� he says.
Although this may be the last time the Mullen siblings share a classroom and stage, it doesn鈥檛 look like they鈥檒l be straying too far from each other anytime soon.