Student Profiles

I had always wanted to study an IT-based degree abroad, in order to keep all my career options open. I visited the Information and Communications department during a university open day and got to see the facilities first hand, including their unique Multimedia Resource Library. I later applied through UCAS and was awarded a place on the BSc (Hons) Information and Communications degree.

I thoroughly enjoyed the modules that covered search engines and information retrieval. For my final year dissertation, I independently studied the various technologies that are involved within a web search. This experience allowed me to use concepts and principles from other units, for example, the module in Network Technologies. I then went on to volunteer in a digital media agency in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to enhance my level of professional experience. The agency gave me a personal recommendation on my LinkedIn profile too, which helped assist me in finding my current position as SEO Account Manager.

My degree taught not just specialist knowledge, but also the soft skills we all use in working life. Time management, people skills, presentation and public speaking were taught along with the subject knowledge of search engines and information retrieval. While studying, I archived a range of journal articles that I still read to this day, in order to become a lifelong learner - education does not stop upon graduation!

Think of yourself as a brand. Get a blog and write about what interests you. Then expand your brand by creating professional social media accounts. This shows potential employers several skills: passion, knowledge, expertise in a specific field and initiative.

My dissertation supervisor and all the All Saints library staff! I was hired to work as an IT Rover in the library for three years during my degree. All the staff inspired me to become a passionate learner. The libraries’ resources and 1:1 sessions with my supervisor, least not forgetting the hard work on my part, allowed me to fulfil my personal goal of understanding how search engines ranked.

I loved the diversity within the close-knit department.