Carleton Computer Science Grad Lands the Job He Always Wanted

By Kristy Strauss

Before Calvin Lewis even started high school, he knew that he wanted to study computer science at university.

“I’ve always been interested in leading-edge technology,” he says. “I knew what I wanted to do for a while.”

Now, the 21-year-old is receiving his undergraduate degree, with a specialization in mobile and social networking.

Lewis chose to study at Carleton University because he was drawn to its broad computer science program and the different streams it offers.

“The mobile stream really stood out,” he says. “It’s the only one of its kind offered in Ontario.”

While earning his degree, Lewis also immersed himself in volunteer activities on campus, particularly helping mentor other students.

For four years, he volunteered at the Student Science Success Centre and had put in time with the university’s math refresher program, Math Matters, before he got to Carleton.

From there, Lewis ended up becoming a teacher for the program and a mentor for the International Student Services Office when he wasn’t working part time refereeing hockey for players up to the Junior A level.

Time management, and flexible colleagues, allowed Lewis to complete his degree while volunteering and working.

“(Carleton staff) were very forgiving of the fact that if I had a busy week or midterms, school came first,” he says. “The atmosphere of the students, and a lot of really smart, intelligent people, made the experience that much better.”

In addition to receiving his degree, Lewis has also started his dream job at a local startup called Purple Forge – just a week after his final exams ended.

He now works as a software developer for the company, which provides mobile applications to a variety of clients such as municipalities, governments and non-profit organizations.

“It’s all about networking,” Lewis says. “I knew of them and I knew they were interested.”

While his four years of university are over and he’s just beginning his career, he still feels like it’s all surreal.

“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Lewis says. “I feel like once Convocation is over, it will hit me – and I’ll feel more accomplished, satisfied and relieved.”