NSCC names 2024 Co-op and WIL Students of the Year
NSCC Co-op Student of the Year – Blake Velemirovich
Information Technology: Programming | Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS)
Blake is a mature graduate of NSCC’s Information Technology: Programming program at the Centre of Geographic Sciences. His journey into tech and co-op education was shaped by a desire for meaningful work, personal fulfillment, and the opportunity to turn a long-time hobby into a thriving career.
Choosing the co-op route
“Co-op gave me a unique opportunity to engage with the tech industry in ways I likely wouldn't have been able to on my own,” Blake says. “It was a major reason I enrolled at NSCC. I was eager to apply my skills in a real-world setting, learn from industry mentors, and immerse myself in the field.” He secured a co-op placement with WarrierTech, where he was able to learn, create, and contribute—an experience he describes as transformative.
The value of hands-on learning
Blake’s placement solidified key concepts learned in class and helped him grow his confidence. “Applying my academic skills in a professional environment helped me fully understand their value. I worked with a large-scale codebase, collaborated with developers, and learned the practical importance of object-oriented programming. I was finally doing the work I had always hoped for—and loving every minute of it.”
The impact of co-operative education
While at WarrierTech, Blake developed software used by local breweries to manage brewing operations, inventory, government compliance, and sales. “Knowing my work was being used in the community gave me a real sense of purpose,” he shares. “It showed me I could use my skills to contribute in a meaningful way.”
What it all means to Blake
“Co-op confirmed that I had chosen the right industry—one that is exciting, intellectually challenging, and deeply fulfilling. I found myself excited to go to work every day, sometimes even continuing after hours because I was so invested in what I was doing. I’m now fully employed in the field I’m passionate about, and co-op played a huge part in making that possible.”
Applying NSCC learning to his role
The strong academic foundation at NSCC gave Blake the technical understanding needed to succeed.
“My coursework in object-oriented programming helped me problem-solve in real-world scenarios. The structure and depth of NSCC’s program prepared me well to contribute to a complex and evolving software project.”
Involvement at NSCC
Blake also made the most of his time outside the classroom. He ran for SA President at COGS, tutored first-year students, participated in Challenge Nova Scotia (placing second), and was part of the NSCC IT Job Fair team that took first place by solving a real-world employer challenge.
A final reflection
“The co-op at WarrierTech was the best job I’ve ever had. It made me realize I could be happy and appreciated at work. The team even sent me a handwritten thank-you card and gift card—that gesture meant the world to me. I’ll carry this experience and the confidence it gave me throughout my career”
Congratulations to Blake for this well-deserved NSCC Co-op Student of the Year honour.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Student of the Year – Dylan Cunningham
Information Technology | NSCC
During his recent work-integrated learning experience, Dylan Cunningham worked as part of a collaborative development team to design and build a training web application for NSCC nursing students, an opportunity that provided real-world experience and a deep sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Building a meaningful solution
“My WIL placement focused on creating a record-entry training web application to support the education of nursing students across Nova Scotia,” says Dylan. “I was involved in designing the site’s pages, determining layout and user interaction, developing documentation, and helping shape the overall application architecture. It was an incredible experience.”
Working remotely alongside peers Mitchell Yetman, Tsira Mamaladze, Kangjie Su, Hannah Osmond, and Katelyn Clements, the team spent their days coding, fixing bugs, and meeting weekly with stakeholders to gather feedback and improve the product. “This opportunity taught me so much about leadership, effective communication, and true teamwork. I’m incredibly grateful to have worked with such a strong, supportive team.”
Applying NSCC learning to a real-world product
Throughout the project, Dylan applied the coding skills developed at NSCC and expanded his technical toolkit with new technologies, programming techniques, and project management strategies. “Seeing how everything comes together in a real-world project helped me fully understand the importance of what we were learning in class. I helped build something that will directly support future nursing students, and by extension, improve care across the province. That’s something I’ll always be proud of.”
A deeper understanding of professional growth
Reflecting on the WIL experience, Dylan emphasizes the clarity and confidence it gave him as he moves into his career. “This wasn’t just about writing code, it was about problem-solving, collaboration, and building something meaningful. I gained a clearer understanding of what I’m looking for in an employer and how I want to contribute to a team.”
Final thoughts
“This work experience was an amazing chance to experience the day-to-day of software development. From stakeholder discussions to debugging and documentation, it gave me a complete picture of what the industry looks like. I’ve learned that when you lead with kindness and generosity, you really can go a long way.”
Congratulations to Dylan for this well-deserved NSCC Work-Integrated Learning Student of the Year honour.