Students

Convocation ‘25: Castor Shem, BSc Computer Engineering Co-op

Donna McKinnon - 13 June 2025

 

Managing the responsibilities of an engineering program can be a challenging task for students like Castor Shem, whose passion for learning software engineering was, at times, difficult to balance with student group activities and his own wellbeing. The scope of his commitments went well beyond the classroom to extracurricular activities and club memberships, including: where he served in a number of roles; the ; and the (CompE). 

Among his notable initiatives, as VP internal with DivE Castor delivered a workshop on accessibility at CompE’s HackED Beta in 2024 and, together with his peers in DivE and under the mentorship of , helped to establish the first-ever digital accessibility prize for the event. 

“There were times in my degree when the combination of academics, student group responsibilities and other pressures became very difficult to handle,” explains Castor. “At these times I had to learn when to step back, focus on my own well-being and prioritize the things that were most important to me.”

Throughout his program, however, Castor’s academic focus and various outreach activities shared one common thread — an innate drive to make a positive impact in the community. While graduation marks a new chapter for the budding software engineer, his commitment to building a better world stands firm.

 

Congratulations Castor!

 

What program are you graduating from?

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Software Option Co-op.

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A for your studies?

I had my first experience with the field of computing during a youth mentorship program run by the Faculty of Engineering — I’ve been interested in the field ever since. Computers are fascinating machines, and I love learning about the way they work. I enjoy the logic and creativity that go into programming using those skills to build things that are useful for others. Over time I have come to better understand the vital role that computing plays in our lives and future, and I want to do my part to shape that role in a positive way.

Computer engineering was the natural choice for me; I wanted to pursue my interests along with the academic rigor and community of the engineering program. I chose the U of A because of the good reputation of its engineering program and the positive experiences I had already had with the faculty’s mentorship programs.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at the U of A?

Many of my favourite memories have been associated with my involvement in . The times I’ve spent with my friends in the clubroom on campus, during events and at conferences have made the past few years something to remember. The support of DivE’s community has been extremely helpful to me during the difficult parts of my degree.

I particularly enjoyed my time running events with DivE, including the opportunity to coordinate and contribute to a number of major events focused on celebrating diversity, building community and providing opportunities to students. The process of coordinating such an event was always a massive logistical challenge, but watching everything come together was incredibly rewarding. Working with DivE to help improve the engineering program and field has made for some of the most fulfilling experiences of my degree.

Tell us about your favourite professor and/or class.

One of my favourite courses was (Operating Systems Concepts) with . An operating system is at all times performing a huge number of operations which we often take entirely for granted, and I really enjoyed learning about those details. Professor Schaeffer was an absolutely fantastic lecturer who made the course both challenging and fun, and I always looked forward to attending the class.

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student?

During my second through fourth years I was involved with the . I took on a couple of roles during this time, but the most significant to me was acting as platform organizer for the , the annual 24-hour programming competitions. Our team spent months planning and organizing before each event, but seeing our hard work pay off in an incredibly polished and well-executed event was wonderful.

More recently (in my fourth and fifth years) I acted as VP internal and later co-president of DivE. During the past few years our focus has been on large events centred on community-building and career development. The work can be difficult, but hearing from students and staff that what we do is meaningful to them has made it all more than worthwhile. I’m very proud of the things we’ve accomplished and the impact we’ve had, and I’ve met a lot of wonderful people who are committed to making positive change.

Did you face any significant obstacles or challenges during your program?

There is a competitive culture in the engineering program that can make it challenging for students to prioritize their health in the pursuit of grades and internships. Unlearning this mindset was one of the most significant challenges of my degree. There were times in my degree when the combination of academics, student group responsibilities and other pressures became very difficult to handle. At these times I had to learn when to step back, focus on my own well-being and prioritize the things that were most important to me.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

As much as possible, prioritize taking care of yourself — your health is important. In a high-stress program it can be extremely difficult to make the time for your own well-being, but that makes it all the more necessary.

Try to avoid stressing yourself out by comparing yourself to others. Everyone's situation, path, and goals for their degree are different. Put in your best effort, and make the choices that are best for you.

And, try to explore, no matter where you are at in your degree! There are a great number of opportunities (in courses, student groups, internships, research and more) that are available to students where you can learn and try out new things. You never know what connection or opportunity will lead you to something interesting. For me, staying open-minded and involving myself in lots of different things has led me to a lot of valuable experiences and great friendships.

How do you plan on celebrating convocation 

Relaxing, spending time on my own projects and hobbies, celebrating with loved ones and planning some small trips!

What's next after graduation?

In the short term, I’m going into a research term related to software privacy. After that, I am planning to pursue graduate studies.