Throughout your time with us, opportunities for real-world experience, work placements and live research projects will set you up perfectly for a successful graduate career. We are proud of the success our Computing and IT and graduates go on to achieve, and many of our hard-working alumni return to the department to take part in careers and round-table events. Here, we shine a spotlight on a few of our inspiring alumni.
Since graduating from his BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree at Edge Hill, Ben Doyle has secured an impressive graduate role as a Test Automation Engineer with ROQ. Working closely with developers and systems engineers, Ben writes software and creates automation frameworks.
What are the top 3 skills you gained from your degree?
1. Technical skills
2. Teamwork
3. Research capability
What was the best thing about studying Computer Science at Edge Hill?
There was a heavy focus on extracurricular activities that provided great additions to my CV. I could show prospective employers that I had attended industry related events, which helped me stand out from the crowd. This also gave me plenty of talking points at interviews and I was never short of examples to pick from. The industry recognised certificates and courses provided by the department also contributed to showing I was keen to learn and have a lot of up to date, relevant training.
What was the most memorable moment of your degree?
Presenting to industry specialists from Barclays and UKFast as part of a challenge to create a new idea for wearable technology in banking. Standing on stage and presenting an idea I had spent over a month preparing and researching for was a really valuable experience, and it was so rewarding to step outside my comfort zone.
Patricia Gonzalez, a final year Computing student due to graduate in July this year, has secured an offer on the IBM graduate scheme as a Software Developer from September. She tells us how the feedback and support from her lecturers has helped her build confidence and prepare for a successful career.
How did your degree prepare you for your graduate career?
During my degree, I have had the opportunity to try many programming languages as part of my modules, which helped me to decide what role I wanted to play in tech and the language I wanted to specialise in.
Feedback from my tutors also allowed me to work on my public speaking skills, and building my CV… These are skills that you need when you graduate, and their support made me feel prepared when applying for graduate jobs.
What was the most memorable moment of your degree?
The most exciting moment was when I had the opportunity to run workshops on the Raspberry Pi for children as part of the “Yes Programme” that Edge Hill runs with local schools. Women are underrepresented in tech, so it was really powerful when a group of girls teamed up and started playing and experimenting with the Raspberry Pi – they had so much fun, they went further than the original exercise and started creating really cool things with the LEDs. This was amazing to be a part of.
What are your plans for the future?
Right now I really want to enjoy the opportunity that IBM has given to me, but in a couple of years, or when I have a great idea, I would like to set up my own company and work hard on it so I can reach financial freedom and live off-the-grid in a tiny house while traveling around the world.
Shaun Halliday is in the final year of his BSc (Hons) Web Design and Development degree, and is due to graduate in July. He’s already secured himself a fantastic graduate opportunity with Ciptex, a tech company based in Manchester. He will join a team of developers, UX designers and dev-ops engineers, working on business solutions and virtual call centres.
What are the top 3 skills you gained from your degree?
1. Confidence
2. Technical knowledge
3. A drive to succeed
How did your degree prepare you for your graduate career?
Almost every module I studied will help in my role at Ciptex, especially the modules around user experience, coding and the modules that had a focus on project management. Also, my Personal Tutor Dave Walsh has really helped. His down to earth and supportive approach has made a huge difference to my learning.
What was the most memorable moment of your degree?
Receiving my final year mark for my project – which took my overall degree classification to a First Class. After all the hard work and sacrifice I made to come to university, this really overwhelmed me and reasserted that I made the right choice to come and study at Edge Hill.
June 2, 2022
