Daniel Awolowo

What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study?

Postgraduate study has allowed me to deepen my knowledge in software engineering, which in turn has allowed me to gain advanced skills that are highly valued in the job market. It has also provided opportunities for personal and professional growth, networking, and access to specialized resources and facilities.

I have also managed to develop research skills and contribute to academic research in my specific field. To summarise, I was driven by a combination of intellectual curiosity, career aspirations, and a desire for continued learning and growth.

What were you doing before applying for a postgraduate degree?

I have recently completed my undergraduate degree in Business Information Systems at De Montfort University. In addition, I have also done a lot to gain experience in their field. I have pursued additional skills, such as a professional certification for multiple IT courses, to strengthen my skills and credentials. I have also pursued different extracurricular activities involving software to demonstrate my commitment to my field or community.

Were there any challenges affecting your decision to study a postgraduate degree? If so, how did you overcome them?

The challenges that I faced when studying for a postgraduate degree include things such as: financial constraints, a difficulty in balancing and pursuing work and studies, personal/family responsibilities, and doubts about the relevance or value of the degree. Thankfully, I managed to overcome these challenges.

I considered seeking out financial aid in the form of Student Finance, as well as several part-time work opportunities. I also developed time management skills and sought support from friends and family, who were vital in my decision to study at City St George's. The best advice given by them was trying to seek advice from academic advisors or alumni, which could also help in gaining perspective on the value and potential outcomes of a postgraduate degree. Overall, overcoming these challenges required a combination of determination, resilience, and support from my personal and professional network.

Why did you choose City St George's?

From my own understanding, City St George's is widely known for its academic excellence, with a strong reputation for research and teaching across a range of disciplines. As the 40th ranked top university in the UK, the university offers a diverse range of postgraduate programs, with a focus on professional development and career-oriented education.

I am happy to say that - from what I have seen - students benefit from access to industry connections, career services, and state-of-the-art facilities, as well as a vibrant and multicultural campus community.

Additionally, City St George's is located in the heart of London, which I know to be one of the most dynamic and culturally rich cities in the world. This provides me with a unique opportunity to engage with a wide range of cultural and professional opportunities, including internships, networking events, and cultural experiences.

How are you funding your studies – did you secure any financial support such as a scholarship or bursary?

As I was trying to pursue part-time work to allow me to study part-time at City St George's for my course, I went with the decision of paying for my tuition fees myself. Essentially, personal savings, part-time work, and support from family members allowed me to fund my postgraduate studies.  I decided to go with the option of applying for Student Finance, to ease myself of the burden of tuition fees.

What does a typical week at university look like for you?

Generally, a typical week at university for myself involves attending lectures, seminars, and different workshops to engage with different course material, collaborate with my peers to solve and fix any issue, and receive feedback from instructors and lecturers. This is often accompanied by independent study, such as reading, research, and writing assignments. This takes place either at the library, or from home.

In addition to academic work, I also engage in extracurricular activities, such as meeting up with the Anime Society and having events held up there, different networking events, and cultural activities.

I also take advantage of resources available on campus, such as study spaces, and career services. As postgraduate students often have more flexibility in their schedules compared to undergraduate students, I have also can balance my academic work with part-time work, in order to supplement myself.

What has been your favourite module or aspect of your course so far?

My course - MSc Software Engineering with Cloud Computing - is a comprehensive course that covers a wide range of topics related to software development and cloud computing. While every student's experience will vary, there are several aspects of the course that I will consistently praise.

One aspect that I really enjoy is the hands-on experience with cloud technologies. The course provides practical training on various cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. This allows me to develop practical skills in deploying and managing cloud-based applications, which are highly valuable in today's job market.

Another aspect that I really appreciate is the focus on software engineering best practices. The course covers topics such as software design patterns, agile development methodologies, and software testing, which are essential for building high-quality software products.

Finally, the opportunity to collaborate with peers and work on real-world projects is also highly valued by me. The course provides opportunities for myself to work in teams and develop software solutions for real-world problems, which allows me to gain practical experience and develop my teamwork and communication skills.

What knowledge and skills has your course helped you develop?

The MSc Software Engineering with Cloud Computing is a highly technical course that has equipped me with a wide range of knowledge and skills in software development and cloud computing.

Some of the key areas that the course helps me to develop includes software development skills - the course provides me with a solid foundation in software development, including programming languages such as C++ and Magic Draw, software design patterns, and best practices for software development.

Additionally, cloud computing skills - the course covers various aspects of cloud computing, including cloud architectures, deployment models, and security. I have also gained practical experience with popular cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Also, project management skills - the course emphasizes the importance of project management skills, including agile methodologies, project planning, and software testing. These skills are critical for successfully managing software development projects in the real world.

Finally, teamwork and communication skills - the course provides opportunities for myself to work in teams and collaborate with peers on real-world projects. This helps me develop my teamwork and communication skills, which are highly valued by employers.

What opportunities and experiences has City St George's offered you so far?

City St George's offers a wide range of opportunities and experiences for students to enhance their education and personal development. Some of the opportunities and experiences that City St George's, University of London has offered to me include industry connections - City St George's has strong connections with industry partners, providing me with opportunities to network with professionals in my field of study and gain industry insights through guest lectures, workshops, and internships.

There are also research opportunities – City St George's is a research-focused institution, providing me with opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects and gain experience in research methodologies.

Also, City St George's has global connections - the university has a diverse student body from all over the world, providing opportunities for me to learn from different cultures, ideas and perspectives. The university also offers study abroad programs and international exchange opportunities to enhance global experiences.

In short, City St George's has offered a diverse range of opportunities and experiences to me, enabling me to enhance my education, personal growth, and future career prospects.

What are your career plans and how has City St George's prepared you for them?

City St George's offers a wide variety of career services and resources to support me in my career planning and development. These include career counselling, workshops, job fairs, and networking events.

Additionally, the MSc Software Engineering with Cloud Computing course looks like it is designed to prepare me for a career in software development and cloud computing. The course has provided me with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to work in these fields, as well as opportunities to work on real-world projects and develop their teamwork and communication skills.

Furthermore, the course curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure that it reflects current industry trends and practices, ensuring that I am are up to date with the latest technologies and methodologies.

What advice would you give to someone considering a postgraduate degree?

To someone considering studying for a postgraduate degree, I would suggest researching your options – look into different postgraduate programs that align with your interests and career goals. Research the universities offering those programs, and the career prospects associated with them.

You should also consider the costs - postgraduate degrees admittedly can be expensive, so it's important to consider the costs of tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. Research scholarship opportunities or funding options to help reduce the financial burden.

You should also take advantage of resources - utilise the resources and support offered by the university, such as academic advising, career services, and student organizations. These can help you navigate your postgraduate experience and maximize your opportunities.

An important aspect while you are studying is managing your time effectively. Postgraduate programmes can be intense, so it's important to manage your time effectively. Create a schedule, prioritize your tasks, and make time for self-care to prevent burnout.

Finally, networking and building relationships is vital  - make the most of opportunities to network with professors, industry professionals, and fellow students. These connections can provide valuable insights and opportunities for your future career.

Overall, pursuing a postgraduate degree can be a rewarding experience, but it's important to be well-informed, prepared, and committed to your goals. By following these tips, I believe that you can make the most out of your postgraduate experience and set yourself up for success in your future career.