Programmed for Success

Meet Joel Beaulieu, a second-year student in the Computer Systems Technology Diploma at Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP). Hailing from Grande Prairie and having completed all his post-secondary education to date at NWP, Joel is making the most of applied research opportunities at Alberta’s newest polytechnic. 

Reflecting about his involvement in a unique precision agriculture technology project that was made possible by an NSERC Applied Research and Technology Partnership Grant, Joel says that he enjoyed being able to figure things out and make things that “he never even imagined doing in class”. 

Taking part in every facet of the research project and being able to actively explore the necessary different steps along the way was both enlightening and fulfilling. The experience also provided an opportunity to apply and develop technical programming skills and hardware proficiencies ranging from programming to wiring and to understanding data. Along with refining valuable problem-solving skills, Joel found being in a research environment and speaking with other researchers to be highly valuable. 

“Real-world problem solving, and the iterative process of trial and error to discover something during the research process, are extremely helpful,” adds Joel. “These things will be assets wherever my education and career lead.”