Jaspreet Singh Sodhi: Tessella graduate
Employer: Tessella Support Services
University: King's College, University of London
Subject: BSc molecular biology
Postgraduate university: King's College, University of London
Postgraduate subject: MRes bioinformatics; PhD computer science/bioinformatics, UCL
What does your employer do?
We provide scientific software for a range of scientific, technical and engineering organsiations, ranging from web applications to software used to analyse complex data or manage databases.
What programming skills are you using?
Visual Studio .NET, C# and SQL Server. I’ve received training on the job to come up to speed on these. My employer also provides me with a budget for 20 days training a year. I recently attended a course on mobile computing solutions, as this is relevant to my current project.
Are technical skills all you need?
Good communication skills are essential. I have to be able to understand the needs of the client and ask the right questions, as well as work closely with my colleagues. An organised and logical approach to thinking and problem solving are also very important, as is the ability to pick up new skills quickly.
What is it like working on a commercial project?
It is very different to my PhD project, which by its nature was more isolated. I now work as part of a large team developing one part of a system. We follow strict protocols and coding standards to ensure that our systems are high quality and all the elements integrate. Accurate documentation is also a key part of commercial IT projects.
How did you demonstrate your technical skills at interview?
My second interview was a programming test. I was asked beforehand what my preferred programming language was, and chose to work in C++. The test involved modifying and expanding on some pre-written code to achieve a number of additional steps. I also had to give a presentation on part of my PhD to my employer’s managing director. Fortunately, I had given a lecture to 200 academics the week before, so I felt well prepared.
What are your top tips for tackling programming tests?
On the test day I was told I could use books and ask questions of people in office. Use this option if it is offered. Not only will it help with completing the test, it also demonstrates how you approach problems and your ability to communicate with others.