Walking out of his final university exam last December was a bittersweet moment for recent Computer Science graduate Kelvin Odinamadu (BSc \u201925).<\/p>\n
He\u2019d achieved a major milestone, but hadn\u2019t landed his dream job yet despite several high-stakes interviews.<\/p>\n
Just four months later he reached his goal, becoming a full-time Senior Site Reliability Engineer at RBC.<\/p>\n
The high-impact position draws on the breadth of his Brock co-op experiences.<\/p>\n
During his first co-op term at the Ministry of Transportation, Odinamadu built foundational skills and gained government experience, but found he craved a faster pace.<\/p>\n
From there, he pivoted to the manufacturing sector, joining Haver & Boecker as a Web App Developer, where he was responsible for entire project lifecycles. The high-pressure role taught him how to problem-solve independently and earned him a co-op award nomination for exceeding expectations.<\/p>\n
But, he still felt something was missing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to build real products from scratch and be mentored along the way,\u201d Odinamadu said.<\/p>\n
He made an unconventional move by accepting an unpaid internship at a tech startup for his third placement.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only did I learn full-stack development in a product-focused environment, but I also started side projects that helped me in my final-year courses and future interviews,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
His final co-op at RBC came with new challenges. While wrapping up his last in-person course, he also juggled internal networking, coffee chats and what he describes as the ever-present weight of imposter syndrome.<\/p>\n
Odinamadu credits his co-op experiences with building his r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and helping him discover what he wanted to do after graduation.<\/p>\n
\u201cCo-op was the turning point,\u201d he said. \u201cIt let me explore government, manufacturing, startups and finance. I figured out what I enjoy and where I want to head next.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though not everyone initially saw his potential as a Site Reliability Engineer, Odinamadu stayed focused on his goal and kept moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf one door closes, you build your own and open it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That mindset, along with support from Student Talent Development Specialist Marta Oberman and Brock\u2019s Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) team, helped him shift his perspective and sharpen his interview skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarta taught me that interviewing is less about being smart and more about positioning,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s about sending the right signals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kristen Wall, Manager of Student Talent Development, Co-op Education, views Odinamadu\u2019s experience as a reflection of the team\u2019s broader mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cKelvin\u2019s journey demonstrates our team\u2019s dedication to helping students identify their unique strengths and understand how those skills align with their career goals,\u201d she said. \u201cThrough personalized guidance in articulating their value and telling their stories, we support students\u2019 growth and success throughout their co-op journey and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Odinamadu\u2019s advice for students exploring careers in cloud computing or reliability engineering is to be open-minded, take initiative and seek out real-world experience even if it\u2019s unpaid.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook beyond grades. Build real, useful products. Go to meetups. Talk to alumni. Reach out on LinkedIn,\u201d he said. \u201cSurround yourself with people who push you to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also encourages students to build strong support networks and embrace collaboration over competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat things come from grit and an open mindset,\u201d Odinamadu said. \u201cGood luck to all the incoming and current co-op students. I hope you make Brock proud wherever you go.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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