| | This program, designed to help PhD students and postdocs get data science or data engineering jobs in London, is fantastic. The program is coordinated by a data science consultancy company, the ASI. Since the overwhelming majority of employees of the company have PhDs themselves, they understand the transition process from both sides, and know how to explain things in a way that academics understand!
Broadly speaking:
Week 1: Companies from across London come in to network with students and present their projects
Weeks 2-7: Your time is split between training courses at the ASI, and working on your project at the company office
Week 8: You present your work in front of all of the companies involved with the program
Most students were offered a position with their project company following the fellowship. If you aren't, or you don't want the job, then the ASI will arrange interviews for you with a range of companies, and give you advice/training on the hiring process.
The two most helpful aspects of the program were:
1. The program exposes you to a wide range of companies/projects at small companies/start ups that I had never heard of before. I left with a much better understanding of the range of opportunities available to me.
2. The ASI staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and always willing to have an informal chat with you about your project/your career plans. They are willing to continue to mentor you even after the fellowship ends, and I still go back occasionally for Friday drinks to catch up!
I cannot recommend the program enough! |