Steering my career into computer science by MSc and PhD
I hadn't planned to continue my education any further than this but during my second degree I saw an advertisement for a physics PhD that was both interesting and had a heavy programming element. It seemed like a great opportunity to get into research while combining the two subject areas that I was interested in.
Following my PhD I searched for jobs using the internet. By visiting an organisation’s website and looking at their previous work I got a good idea of the technologies they used and the skills they looked for in employees. With hindsight I didn’t start looking for jobs early enough; waiting until I had submitted my thesis led to several months without work.
Applying my postgraduate skills at work
In my first year with my employer I have worked on several projects for science-based customers, directly using many of the programming skills I learned during my postgraduate study. The problem-solving mindset that I developed during my PhD has been essential for tackling some of the technical challenges that customers have presented me with.
Try to make the most of opportunities to develop your soft skills.
However, it’s not only the technical expertise I gained during my PhD that has been useful. The communication skills that came from attending conferences and interacting with other scientists have also been invaluable in helping me to understand our customers’ problems and explaining our proposed solutions to them.
Adrian's top tips for postgraduate study
Postgraduate study is hard work so it’s important to choose a course that really interests you. Also, try to make the most of opportunities to develop your soft skills, such as publishing and speaking at conferences; no-one really enjoys giving presentations but they really help to build confidence.
It is important to remember that moving into the workplace isn’t the end of your education. I’m constantly learning and coming across new problems, but with a postgraduate degree behind me, I’m better equipped to deal with them.
Adrian Clarke is an analyst programmer with Tessella. Coming for a BSc in physics and astronomy from Durham University, he was able to move into computing and IT by completing an MSc in computer science at Birmingham and then pursuing a PhD in physics at Hertfordshire.
