In 2014, I wrote an article titled, Few Tips for New Geoscience Students. I wrote it while I was a student as the University of Calgary enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program in Geology. While I was successful as a Geology student, different life and local economic events have led me to change career pathway from Petroleum field, which Geology is part of, to Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) fields. I went back to school and graduated with a Diploma with Honors (4.0/4.0 GPA) in IT from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2022. Reflecting back on the article I published in 2014, I thought it is time for me to publish an article on being a student in CS or IT.
I have several years of industry experience either by working indirectly in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields or by directly holding academic and professional positions within these fields. I have worked in academia, public and private sectors. As with everything in our society, we interact with people of different personalities, opinions, etc. I believe these differences could leads to conflicts. Then those conflicts can then lead to unproductive learning and working environments. This is why we need to understand each other.
The pre-colonial era of India and Sri Lanka was not a utopian society. There were widespread social, political and economic issues within the two communities. However, when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and women’s rights both India and Sri Lanka were far ahead of most Western societies prior to enslavement by the West. It does not mean that these social issues never existed in South Asia. Homophobia was found in communities across the world. The difference is that homophobia was not widely accepted nor allowed in India and Sri Lanka before the arrival of Europeans.
It is March already and graduating students from Engineering and Geoscience programs in several provinces across Canada are excited to receive their professional certificates and the infamous rings. Future Engineers get their Iron Rings and the future Geologists and Geophysicists get their Earth Rings1.
When we talk about discrimination, it is always the Europeans who are often blamed for the problem. This is well demonstrated in majority of Western newspapers and publications. Often these Western papers portray racism as a problem for the non-Whites created by the Whites. The popular media completely ignore the hardships South Asian and African people face on other parts of the world, which includes their own people. While I am not denying that racism, xenophobia, sexism and discrimination exists in Europe and North America, I would like highlight that these problems are not limited to the Western world. From my own personal experience, I can say with confidence that I have faced racism from Canadians of South Asian, Middle Eastern, African and Eastern European decent than the Canadian born Canadian citizens. Even my first experience of racism in Canada is actually by an India born Canadian citizen not a Canadian himself.
I use cookies to optimize site functionality and improve your experience. By continuing to use this site, you accept the use of cookies stated under Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Read MoreACCEPT
Cookies
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
