Dharmavenkatesan K B graduated from the University of Edinburgh in August 2024 with a Master’s in Data Science. He is currently, working as a Graduate Data Scientist at British Airways, working within the Commercial, Customer, and Finance data team.
Read on as he shares his thoughts and experience on getting his first graduate job in tech and data.
Navigating the Graduate Role Application Journey
Graduate roles are an excellent starting point for your career. Companies view them as an investment in future talent, actively seeking individuals to develop and grow within the organization. These roles provide a solid foundation for both personal and professional development.
Many students make the mistake of waiting until after graduation to begin their job search, but most graduate schemes open early in the academic year. Starting the application process before completing your degree can give you a competitive edge and help ensure you don’t miss out on these valuable opportunities.
Support I utilised
The University Careers Service is invaluable in supporting your job search. Keep an eye on emails and job postings from the Careers Service. I found my opportunity through these channels and am incredibly grateful for it. They offer expert guidance in building effective CVs and cover letters, which are crucial in tailoring your application to the specific role requirements.
Additionally, utilizing the range of application support from the Careers Service can help refine your approach, ensuring your skillset aligns with the employer’s expectations. They also host career fairs, provide access to job postings, and organize networking events. Attending these events and engaging in informal chats with company representatives can provide insights into available opportunities and help you forge connections that could lead to a job.
Other tools I used include practice selection tests and Interview360 to practice answering common interview questions and review my responses, providing invaluable feedback to help improve my performance.
Essential Skills for Graduate Roles
When preparing for graduate opportunities, particularly in data science, it’s crucial to recognize that while technical skills are important, they are not the only criteria employers consider. Of course, proficiency in key technical areas such as programming, machine learning, and statistics is essential, but employers also seek well-rounded candidates who can contribute to the company’s long-term growth and success. Staying up to date with the latest technologies such as AI and understanding how to apply them to real-world scenarios is equally beneficial. Having a solid grasp of machine learning algorithms and statistical methods is crucial for solving complex problems in data science.
Another important aspect is demonstrating your personality and involvement beyond academics. Employers value candidates who show leadership, initiative, and the ability to balance multiple commitments. Participating in extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, or volunteer work teaches valuable skills like teamwork, time management, and resilience. I was involved in tennis and intramural squash, which helped me develop experiences and skills that were valuable during the interview process.
When applying for graduate roles, it’s essential to show how you’ve applied both your technical and soft skills to real-world scenarios. Be prepared to provide specific examples of projects or initiatives where you’ve made a tangible impact—whether in academic work, extracurricular activities, professional experience or volunteer roles. Recruiters want to see how you’ve used your skills to drive positive outcomes and what lessons you’ve learned that can be applied in the workplace.
Closing Reflections
Balancing academic deadlines with the demands of job applications can feel overwhelming. Some students may have a clear idea of what they want to do, while others like I was, are still figuring it out—and that’s perfectly okay. Uncertainty and pressure are challenges that many students experience. Having gone through this journey myself, I hope the insights and tips I’ve shared can be helpful to others and provide guidance to those on a similar path.
Thank you Dharmavenkatesan!
Careers in Tech and Data is taking place Wednesday 29th January 1pm-4.30pm.
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