Godwin Ebikwo (MSc Applied Data Science 2024, BSc in Computing and Software Entrepreneurship, 2019)

As is common with many Buckingham alumni from Nigeria, I first heard about The University of Buckingham through word-of-mouth. Reflecting on my time here, Buckingham has been a cornerstone of my formative post-school years.

My journey at Buckingham began in 2016, when I enrolled in Foundation Pathway leading to the BSc Computing and Software Entrepreneurship course. This programme was an ideal match for me, combining the technical and business aspects of the industry seamlessly.

After university, my career path was diverse. I worked at the University’s Enterprise Hub, launched a business, and engaged in various ventures. However, it was my role in a state national development board that sparked my interest in data science.

Having done some initial research into the industry and job prospects, I reached out to the Dean Professor Harin Sellahewa. His detailed explanation of the course, its learning outcomes, and industry placements was instrumental in my decision to return to Buckingham. Oh, I can’t forget the discounts alumni get as well.

My second stint at Buckingham was as enriching as the first. The University’s upgraded facilities, study areas, and resource accessibility greatly enhanced my learning experience. The close-knit academic community at Buckingham is second to none, offering access to lecturers and teaching assistants even at out of working hours shows lecturers’ commitments to give help to students.

A pivotal point in my journey was the industrial placement through the course, which led me to an internship at Expect AI. This startup, aimed at reducing 500 megatons of CO2e by this decade’s end, was where I honed my skills as a climate software engineer intern. Here, I had the hands-on opportunity to write ETL (Extract, Transform and Load) scripts to pull data from different sources, a task that directly applied the skills I acquired at Buckingham.

Subsequently, through the University’s student Teams channels – a rich source of articles, resources, and job opportunities – I landed a job at Datitude. This data-driven company is where I am currently employed, working with large-scale data to help retail companies make informed decisions. My journey is still unfolding, and the supportive team at Datitude plays a significant role in my growth where I get to try different roles and new technologies.

In summary, Buckingham is more than a university; it’s an environment that equips you with the right skills, resources, and support for learning and growth. My experiences there have laid a solid foundation for my flourishing career. If you’re considering a place that fosters both personal and professional development, think Buckingham. I can’t recommend it highly enough.