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New Type of Career Event proves a hit with DCS students

On the 4th of November, the department of computer science played host to a new type of career event seen as the ‘speed dating’ of recruitment. Given a starting number, students rotate around a series of ‘stands’ where representatives from each company talk for ten minutes on what they do, and why they're the most attractive proposition for graduates. What made the event especially poignent was that the majority of speakers were former DCS students. Having previously studied in the department, they were better able to relate to students, and understand more accurately where their skills might fit in their own organisation.

Not your standard careers event
In contrast to typical careers fairs, where students from any discipline descend on stands not really sure of what they are looking for, this alternative event directly matches students with companies whose profile is specifically relevant to their degree. The benefit of this approach works both ways, students know that everyone they talk to is a potential employer, and equally companies know that everyone they talk to is a potential employee. This ensures that students have a much clearer idea of the range of jobs available after graduation and allows them to better target their applications at a time when the recruitment market has become extremely competitive.

Stephen Ward from the Careers Service who organised the event, described it as being the mid way point between large careers events that are open to everyone, and individual company presentations that tend to focus on a select few. He welcomed the exceptional support given by the department of computer science who postponed lectures for the day and also provided the location. Stephen believes that in the future we will see more of these targeted recruitment events because they offer companies a more captive audience and allow students to meet with potential employers from the comfort of their own department.
Student Turnout
Turn out on the day was particularly strong with approximately eighty students rotating around seven companies whose interests ranged from computer gaming in the case of RARE to technical consulting in the case of Price Waterhouse Coopers. At the start each student was given a number from 1 to 7 which corresponded with a stand manned by one of the companies. On the blow of a whistle, each student moved from one room to another, spending ten minutes receiving a brief outline of the company before being invited to ask employment related questions.

After an intense two hours of listening and questions, participants then moved down to the DCS reception where they were treated to a buffet lunch provided by the careers service and the attending companies. This allowed students to follow up on any questions they still had as well as to network with representatives from the companies they were most interested in.
British Computer Society
Also present at the event were representatives from the British Computer Society (BCS) who were keen to promote the values of professional accreditation while discussing the many opportunities available to current undergraduates. One opportunity of particular interest was the work the BCS does with local schools to encourage pupils to engage in computer programming. Computer Science students are invited to participate in this programme by helping to deliver workshops using the “scratch” toolkit. More information about this can be obtained by contacting Margaret Low (m.j.low@warwick.ac.uk)
 
Companies in attendance are listed below along with a link to their graduate programmes.

Price Waterhouse Coopers: After graduating from DCS in 2006 with a first class degree in computer science, Christopher Dean joined PWC and is now a senior associate within the Forensic Technology Solutions division. During the event, Chris talked about his role at PWC and the opportunities available to DCS students after graduation. The career website for PWC is available at
http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/careers/index.jhtml

Rare: Also a DCS graduate, Principle Software Architect Nicola Bhalerao gave students an enchanting insight into her work at the company and how much more fun she was having working in the game industry than her initial roles in regular IT. To learn more about Rare and how to follow in Nicola’s footsteps, visit
http://www.rare.co.uk/joinus/index.html

Imagination: Recent DCS graduate Raeeka Yassaie was warmly welcomed back to the department to talk about how the company’s technology lies at the heart of the latest consumer products and how engineers make up 80% of the 500 strong work force. To learn more about Imagination and the opportunities available to you, visit their careers website at www.imgtec.com/graduates

Asidua: Lindsay Hickman talked about how the company is strongly involved in Java and Microsoft Technologies and how she has progressed from starting as a software developer to her current position which is much more customer facing. More information on careers with Asidua can be found at http://www.asidua.com/careers

CSC: Representative James Webster has been with CSC for five years, joining the graduate programme directly after graduating from Warwick University with a degree in Computer Science. The company is the world’s largest provider of IT services and information about careers can be found at http://www.csc.com/careersus

Detica: Rajesh Mehmi joined Detica in 2008 after graduating from Warwick with a BSc in Economics. During the event Rajesh talked to students about how Detica helps government and commercial clients reveal intelligence, maintain security and strengthen resilience. More information on careers at Detica can be found at http://www.detica.com/careers.html

Netcraft: Representing Netcraft who provide a wide range of internet related services was Jan Bothma. Jan is a current DCS student and having recently completed an industrial year with the company, he was able to provide a unique insight into the organisation for the benefit of other students. More information on careers at Netcraft can be found at http://news.netcraft.com/jobs