Skip to main content
Applied Sciences › Computing Science › Software Systems
SFU Co-op Student

Picture of three people working on computer programming having a discussion
Credit
Austin Distel on Unsplash.
However, to my surprise, my co-op work experience has exceeded my expectations. Not only did I learn how to write industry standard C++ code, I also had the opportunity to automate cross-platform build and packaging.

Simba Technologies, a division of Magnitude Software, is the industry’s source for standards-based relational data connectivity solutions. Having co-developed the ODBC specification with Microsoft in 1992, Simba has become the de-facto standard technology stack for ISVs to use when building their drivers. Our reputation as a connectivity pioneer has made us the partner of choice for innovative enterprise data connectivity solutions, literally, tens of millions of business professionals use our software every day.

This is an exciting time to join the company. Already the market leader, Simba is rapidly expanding its solutions to address the new and emerging database technologies such as Block Chain, Time Series, Graph and others as the market defines and embraces new technologies. Simba’s latest customers read like a who’s who of the Big Data, Hadoop, and NoSQL worlds including companies like Alteryx, Cloudera, DataStax, Google, Informatica, Hortonworks, MapR, Microsoft, SAP and Teradata. Simba’s ODBC and JDBC drivers are the most widely used for connecting BI, reporting, analytics and machine learning tools to data sources like Cassandra, Google BigQuery, Hive, Impala, and MongoDB. Every major Hadoop distribution, including Cloudera, Hortonworks, MapR, and Microsoft, have independently chosen Simba’s ODBC drivers.

As a Junior Software Developer in the co-op program, I have had the privilege of working on the Simba ODBC driver for Google BigQuery. While working on the development of this ODBC driver, I often had to troubleshoot issues that are not only internal within my team but also requiring involvement from other teams. I am very fortunate that the colleagues whom I have had the opportunity to work with are very friendly and knowledgeable. Questions were always encouraged and everyone I talked to was reachable in case I had any problems or concerns.

When I started my co-op term, I underwent a training period of approximately one month. During this period, I was grouped with the other newly hired co-op students to work on an ODBC driver that connects to a RESTful API data source. This training process has helped me gain a lot of understanding of how ODBC drivers work and exposed me to the main Software Development Kit (SDK) that Simba developers use to develop ODBC drivers for multiple types of data source, known as the SimbaEngine X SDK.

Before starting my co-op, I had previous experience working with C++ programming language, but mostly in an academic context such as course assignments and final projects. I had expected the experience as a software developer to be quite like that of my academic experiences, especially since they also provide a C++ course for the first few months. However, to my surprise, my co-op work experience has exceeded my expectations. Not only did I learn how to write industry standard C++ code, I also had the opportunity to automate cross-platform build and packaging. They also involved me in customer calls, expanding my networking skills even further.

Overall, the time I spent working at Magnitude Software’s Simba division, has been amazing and rewarding. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to develop my technical expertise especially in the area of C++ language and compilation. Collaborating with colleagues from different teams also helped improve my communication skills.

Magnitude has several social events such as the TGIFF (Thank Goodness It’s First Friday) social scheduled every first Friday of the month and many more team or theme-based events that create opportunities for colleagues to connect socially. I am certain that the knowledge and experience I obtained from my co-op term will be helpful in shaping my future career, both as a software developer and as a productive member of any organization.

Beyond the Blog

SFU Co-op Student
Connect with Ivan on LindkedIn!

You Might Like These... Seeking, Career Exploration, International, Tech and Innovation

Person working on a laptop
Travel to India and Beyond: Working for Tata

Tata, one of India’s largest business conglomerates, is looking to Canada for international interns. Does an international internship with a company established with 98 operating companies in seven business sectors interest you? Read on to find out more about Tata.

a phone screen displaying the text "Privacy"
The Basics of Facebook Privacy

You open your Facebook account and there it is – your boss wants to add you as a friend! You can’t really ignore her request (she’ll ask you about it the next day), so you go ahead and add her. What’s next? Do you now stop being yourself and stop making jokes about Justin Beiber? Do you stop professing your love for random things?

Person holding a resume
Goodbye Hard-copy and Hello to Electronic Résumés

There are sufficient amount of tips regarding resume writing, but then came along electronic résumés.  Now we have to worry about both methods? Don't panic; here are some shortcuts to e-improve your resume.

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections

Joselyn smiling at the camera against a dark background
Your Co-op Journey Starts at the End of Your Comfort Zone

An incredible co-op term with Goldcorp taught Joselyn Hernandez to be open minded when searching for co-op opportunities. You never know which organization, industry or position you might end up liking until you try. 

the author's portrait
Meet Dylan

Meet Dylan, a fourth-year computing science student at Simon Fraser University with over a year of co-op experience spanning two large companies: SAP and Electronic Arts. He shares his unique perspective on Computing Science Co-op and offers advice for students on topics such as interview techniques and software engineering tips.  This post is part one of four.

Photo of Arvin
He Shoots, He Scores! A Legacy in Robot Soccer

Applied Sciences graduand, Arvin Amini, leaves SFU with a lasting impact by founding the SFU Robot Soccer Club. Over the years, the club has received funding from various engineering organizations and has been involved in community outreach with students in grades 5 to 8. Read about his passion for highlighting the fun in STEM.