David N.

All things are possible if you believe, work hard, and be fully committed!

I transitioned from being a PhD holder with no job into a Software Developer & Quant Developer in a leading sustainable investment assets management firm.

After 4 long years researching into how people snore, I came to the end of my PhD without a career plan let alone a job offer. The end of my PhD was one of the darkest moments of my life. I was lost, confused and didn’t know what next for me. Even with a PhD, I struggled to get an entry job. The message was ‘We like you. However, we decided to go with another candidate. We wish you the very best in your career’

I decided to join ITyDATA to help me transition my career into technology and data in the financial industry. This was the common trend amongst my friends who didn’t want a career in academia. I joined what is now called the Tech-Data Programme where I got training as a data analyst, data scientist and software developer. I loved the fact that the training assumed I had zero knowledge. At the end of a 5 weeks intensive training, I was competent and confident in the required knowledge and skills needed to become a data analyst, data scientist and software developer. The training was a huge self-confidence builder for me. This was important for me after my PhD experience where I lost a lot of my self-confidence and self-belief. I was back to my A game!

After 5 weeks intensive training, I was assigned my first product – Nleru Ventures Investment Platform during my work experience. I designed, developed and deployed an algorithm to assist investors decided whether or not to lend credit to an early-stage startup based on company information, Instagram data and interview data for founders. I worked with an amazing team – Daniel (Quantitative Developer), Seb (an investment analyst), Anjali (social media expert) and Joy (Data Analyst).

We collaborated every Saturday 10am – 5pm for over 3 months. During my work experience, I mastered python programming, API programming, data analysis, data visualisation, object-oriented programming, data structure and much more. Most importantly, I worked and collaborated with a great team. After my first product, I worked on Product Website. I delivered a website from idea to a live website. This was a solo product I worked on to further build my portfolio and skillset.

During my work experience, I received coaching on my CV and interview process. This was important and critical to my success. Interviews are about communicating your value and selling myself. I learnt interview skills at ITyDATA.

My time at ITyDATA ended with a job offer as a Software Developer & Quant Developer in a leading sustainable investment asset management firm. This was only possible for me because of the transformation experience I went at ITyDATA. My two bosses were deeply impressed with my work on Nleru Ventures Investment Platform.

All things are possible if you believe, work hard, and be fully committed!