Meet Ellen

My Career

Please tell us about your career since graduating:

I’ve worked at various IT companies, and in sales and project delivery roles across the UK and Asia. I’m now a cyber and AI specialist for Microsoft in Qatar.

Student life at Newcastle

How did your course and experience at Newcastle University prepare you for your current role?

My year abroad in Shanghai helped expand my network and experience outside my academic life, which gave me lots of talking points and interest from my employers and during my interviews.

I also did a business module which essentially meant we had to run a business - create an idea, research, develop it, market it etc. It simulated what a real company goes through (albeit on a small scale!) but nonetheless exposes you to the fundamental activities and decision-making companies go through.

What advice would you give to students starting to explore the next steps after graduating?

Many of the roles we have, especially for AI, didn’t exist 5-10 years ago. Some were only developed in the last 2-3 years - so perhaps your future career hasn’t even been invented yet, which is both terrifying and exciting.

I chose my first graduate job because it paid well, it meant I got to live in London (which was important at the time) and I would be learning lots of new things. If you’re doing things you’re already good at, then is there really room to grow?

Embrace the uncomfortable and build up a list of things you like and don’t like, especially early on in your career. You can make mistakes now and bounce back easily. It gets harder later!

How has your degree helped you outside of your job, in your personal life or other pursuits?

Great for networking, great exposure to different cultures and work types I now see in my office.