Sarangan Janakan

What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study?

My working experience as a Senior Software Engineer demands advanced concepts to dive in deep. I worked as a primary Software Engineer and Release Manager (For a Component) in Choreo - A Low-Code Cloud Native Engineering for API Developers, which sparked my interest to get a proper understanding of cloud stacks together with other required concepts.

I devoted my free time to unwrapping the internals in concurrency and cloud computing. At some point in the learning curve, I realised that I need to augment my expertise through a proper systematic program and decided to dedicate myself to pursuing a master's in computer science which covers cloud computing modules.

What were you doing before applying for a postgraduate degree?

I served as Software Engineering Intern, Software Engineer, and Senior Software Engineer in WSO2 for around 3 years. With my commercial Engineering experience, I have a solid background in Java, Python, Maven, Spring boot Framework, JUnit, and database utilities of MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. I have a strong knowledge of Git and am comfortable with automated testing, starting with TDD and through to performance and security testing.

Furthermore, I am comfortable building micro-service applications for AWS using serverless technologies. I am well-versed in cloud computing platforms such as Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, and Docker. Additionally, I possess a strong understanding of APIs and REST and have extensive experience in creating microservices. So far, I have worked as a Java Developer, React Developer, Content Creator, API Speaker, Release Manager, Sub team coordinator, Mentor, Feature coordinator, and as Marketing folk in the API Manager team.

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

As a concerned individual, I am deeply troubled by the growing economic crisis in Sri Lanka and its potential impact on my personal finances. This is particularly concerning for me as I am currently residing away from my family for an extended period, which has required me to make difficult decisions about managing my financial resources. Given the gravity of the situation, I took considerable time to deliberate and weigh my options before taking decisive action. This decision was not taken lightly, and I recognize the importance of being proactive in the face of economic uncertainty.

In light of these circumstances, I am actively seeking out resources and strategies to effectively manage my finances and mitigate potential risks. This includes staying informed about market trends, identifying opportunities to diversify my investments, and developing a comprehensive budget to help me make informed financial decisions.

Why did you choose City St George's?

There are universities offering cloud computing as an optional module with considerably less cloud coverage. But City St George's is the only reputed university that offers a software engineering post-graduate degree along with proper cloud computing exposure as MSc Software Engineering with Cloud Computing.

This course focused on schematic design and development of cloud-based software systems and had the evolving technical concepts aligned with industry. This matches my career goal of pursuing a systematic degree covering cloud computing to the core level together with other software design principles. And with this master's program in the line of academic background, we can even switch our career path to be a Cloud Engineer, if needed.

This course has a 15-credit compulsory module of Cloud Computing and an optional module of Network Security to handle the security of cloud utilities. Now I'm in the phase of focussing more on architectural concepts as I already had extensive experience in system development and my career is inching closer to pursuing a startup. Thus Software Systems Design will give the basic academic foundation for an architectural overview of complex systems. Advanced Databases and Advanced Programming - Concurrency are areas of my expertise and I am looking to broaden my knowledge in this area.

Furthermore, this is the only master's program that touches the research aspects in the professional environment through Research Methods and Professional Issues. This will enhance the perspectives when doing competitor analysis related to a product and improve the perception of approaching the software development life cycle.

With the established research centres and veteran academic staff, I believe that I can leverage the best output for my professional career.

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

During my academic pursuits, I held the positions of Software Engineer and Senior Software Engineer, where I was able to generate income that supported my postgraduate studies. Moreover, I supplemented my earnings by taking up freelancing work, which helped me cover my living expenses while residing in London. Additionally, my efforts and dedication toward my academic and professional pursuits were recognized when I was awarded the Global STEM Leadership Scholarship. This esteemed scholarship not only provided me with the opportunity to enhance my skills and knowledge in the field of STEM, but it also enabled me to save a significant portion of my course fees, up to 75%.

How are you finding studying in the UK?

London is a diverse and vibrant city, with many opportunities for cultural and social activities, as well as access to world-class universities and research institutions. The shorter duration of master’s courses is enforcing a high standard within that specific time to match with the standards of universities from other countries. This ensures self-motivation, commitment, and time management and ignites the maximum potential with a short period of employment gap.

The UK is the hub for diverse international students with decades of immigration culture than other countries, and it will be a great exposure to get along with a variety of people and understand their values, skills, perceptions, and ideologies in technology. One of the great advantages of studying in London is the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of students from all over the world. As an international student, you can meet and learn from peers representing different nations, cultures, and backgrounds, which can broaden your perspective and help you develop a more global outlook.

My favourite element in being in London is the network I'm creating with people around the world.

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

It will be a mix of scheduled classes, independent study time, extracurricular activities, socializing, and possibly work experience if the student is pursuing an internship or part-time job. During weekdays, a student's schedule would likely be filled with lectures, seminars, and workshops, depending on their degree program and year of study. They may also have group projects, assignments, and readings to complete outside of class time.

In addition to academic commitments, I try to engage in extracurricular activities such as sports teams, clubs and societies, volunteering, or student movements These activities provide opportunities to develop skills, make new friends, and pursue interests outside of their degree program.

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

The Cloud Computing module has been the highlight of my academic journey so far. This module provided me with a comprehensive understanding of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its various features and functionalities. The extensive exposure to AWS services allowed me to develop the necessary skills and knowledge required to become a certified AWS developer and DevOps engineer.

Furthermore, the module offered us free credits to pursue our projects in AWS, which allowed me to gain practical experience and implement the concepts learned in class. The hands-on experience gained through this module has been invaluable, as it has provided me with a deeper understanding of cloud computing and its practical applications.

What knowledge and skills has your course helped you develop?

The course modules on research methods and professional issues have significantly enhanced my research abilities and broadened my perspective in approaching real-world problem statements. Additionally, the structured group work assignments have provided ample opportunities to practice and cultivate a collaborative work culture that can be applied in an industrial setting.

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

City St George's has taken the initiative to coordinate the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) service, which provides academic writing and English language support to international students and those whose first language is not English. This valuable resource helps students improve their academic skills and succeed in their studies.

City St George's also provides a wide range of sports activities, including badminton, football, futsal, and netball. Students have the flexibility to participate in any sport of their choosing, and annual sports awards are given out to encourage and motivate students. In addition, CitySport offers gym facilities, enabling students to stay fit and healthy.

The annual Varsity series against the Kingston Cougars is one of the most highly anticipated events in the Wolfpack sporting calendar, attracting a large number of participants and spectators. This event fosters a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition amongst students, further enhancing City St George's vibrant and inclusive community.

The Student Union's 'City Fund' is another initiative designed to enhance the student experience by helping students build a stronger community online and in person. This funding opportunity supports students' ideas and provides a small pot of money to bring those ideas to life.

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

Upon graduation, I aim to join the dynamic and fast-paced job market of tech giants. I am eager to take on the challenging, diverse, and stimulating environment of a Software Engineer, where I can apply and test the learnings from my master's program, and subsequently progress to the role of a software architect.

The comprehensive knowledge gained from the various concepts covered in the course has equipped me with the skills to think in an architectural manner, allowing me to effectively solve problems and make informed decisions in professional settings. The career-oriented initiatives offered by the Post-Employability units, such as incremental CV reviews, career workshops, and one-on-one doubt clearing sessions, along with the continuous support from internship teams, have been instrumental in preparing me for the job market.

Moreover, the opportunity to work with professional mentors assigned by City St George's has been an eye-opener, enabling me to stay abreast of the latest job market trends and prepare myself accordingly.

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

Prior to obtaining a postgraduate degree, it is crucial to have a firm grasp of your ambitions. This might be done in order to advance your profession, learn new things, or follow a particular area of interest. Setting clear goals will help you pick the best path and maintain concentration throughout your study. Spend some time investigating various postgraduate programmes, organisations, and career options. This will enable you to decide which programme to enrol in and which college best suits your needs. Earning a postgraduate degree can be expensive, so it's necessary to take that into account.