Abi and Nathan have both relocated to Fredericton to join CNL in the last year and are happy they did. Abi is a Cyber Security Scientist and Nathan is a Cyber Security Research Technologist. Both of them thoroughly enjoy their work and the team they are with at CNL’s Cyber Security branch in Fredericton.
Abigail Gaulin
Abi is a graduate of McMaster University and was also born and raised in Hamilton. She has a degree in engineering physics specializing in nuclear and has a minor in computer science. After having a couple of co-op experiences with CNL, one of which was with cyber security in Fredericton, she decided to make Fredericton her home.
What does Abi love about Fredericton?
She loves Fredericton for many reasons. She loves the size of the city. It has the feel of a small city, yet it is big enough to offer many experiences of a big city. She immediately got involved in the music scene and currently plays in three bands playing clarinet and learning bassoon.
Abi chose to live in the south side of the St. John River, after taking advantage of the summer residence program at UNB. This gave her the opportunity to look around and decide which neighbourhood best suited her needs and interests. With the help of an apartment rental agency, she was able to find an apartment in Southwood, a residential neighbourhood that is a 45 minute walk (10 minute bike ride) from CNL’s Cyber Security office.
In short, the bike paths, the green space, the friendliness of the people, the farmer’s markets, the abundance of community activities (music festivals, multicultural festivals), and the short commute to get anywhere in Fredericton have helped to make Fredericton a home for Abi.
Advice for a newcomer?
Check out the city and it’s neighbourhoods by renting something temporary before you commit to a place.
Nathan Bruno
Nathan has an Electrical Engineering Technology diploma and worked in engineering consulting for about seven years before moving from Thunder Bay to Fredericton with his 90 lb.dog Kira. He found he was able to transfer his previous knowledge of working in Operational Technology to building cyber security skills and is excited about being a part of CNL’s growing team in Fredericton and enjoys the challenges working on and developing the lab.
What does Nathan love about Fredericton?
He loves being able to walk the city on paths, the bountiful trees and all the green space. He has integrated into the climbing community in town and found like-minded people in the two climbing gyms. He enjoys camping and hiking as well in the nearby parks. He’s found that many stores and businesses are dog friendly and his dog Kira is becoming well known at some stores.
Nathan lives by UNB, closer to the river and had some challenges finding a unit that would accept a big dog. Using Kijiji, he did find a rental unit.
The welcoming and inviting attitude of the people of Fredericton is another quality that Nathan appreciates. Because of this friendly atmosphere, Nathan has never felt like a stranger or an outsider.
The city has many music festivals and community events. So, Nathan loves that there is always something to do, to explore and he has found that the community comes out to support these events.
He also appreciates the fact that Fredericton is a relatively short drive to other centres in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Maine where there is so much to do and explore.
Advice for newcomers?
Be aware of the flood zone. A good start is to check out the New Brunswick government’s flood map at (http://elg-egl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/PanelsLegend/index.html?appid=30b97c1830b84fbd8e581a6d05243bb9)
Jump in and get involved in community activities. Whatever your interests are, you’re sure to find some like-minded people in the friendly city of Fredericton.
