What is Capstone?

What is Capstone for Students?

At a glance; the culmination of all our learning into one project that we can present to industry to show that we have actually learned during our time here.

A deeper look would glean that it’s literally everything we’ve learned and more. From communicating, time management, and resource allocation to implementation of classroom knowledge into something that we’re interested in. It’s day one to now (and now isn’t very far into semester 4) and beyond. We haven’t even learnt some of the things that will be incorporated into this project. But a lot of it we do know. And what we do know is being built upon and tested every day spent on this Capstone project.

The technical aspect of this will get us decently far, but a lot of it is soft skills. Which we were told on day one and most of us have forgotten. But more and more, it’s being reinforced. Presentations will heavily impact how we’re perceived by industry and potentially even peers. Being able to walk is great, but knowing how to talk matters a lot, maybe even more.

Communication is a huge part of this. Even if you’re working with friends, those bonds can and will be tested, work styles conflict and complement, people have good and bad days, and for better or worse - things happen. Handling all that as a team is the most important thing.

What is Capstone for Industry?

Capstone is a great opportunity for students to show what they’ve learned and how they feel they can best implement it. By taking an issue from industry to tackle head-on, students can show they are eager and able to solve problems as a team.

Capstone allows for evaluation through fresh ideas. The base requirements are the same for all students under the umbrella of a major, how they choose to work with and around those requirements is up to them. What they come up with year after year is always a great joy to see.

The students work hard in their 4th semester, and we at SAIT would love for anyone interested in what they’re working on to come see their projects at the final presentations near the end of that semester.