MSc Artificial Intelligence graduate, Gemma Robson, was recently named winner of the Microsoft Azure UK Championship for a chatbot she developed using Microsoft software. She has now secured an exciting new job with Microsoft and tells us how her time studying at Northumbria assisted her transition into the workplace:
"September 2020 was the very first year that Northumbria
introduced the MSc in artificial intelligence and I was one of the first cohort
and became the student rep. I’ve always
been interested in AI but having come from a psychology background, I didn’t
have experience in computer science. Since
the course requirements did not specify a background in CS I didn’t consider
this to be an issue and I was absolutely right not to worry. The AI Master’s course was absolutely
brilliant, it was all the things I hoped for and so much more! I found myself
programming chatbots, neural networks, learning about cloud computing,
designing software systems designing user interfaces and coding in java and
python. It opened up a new exciting world for me where I could not only
understand how the latest tech works but I could get hands on and design and
program my own systems.
Northumbria didn’t just provide me with an excellent AI
master’s programme but also gave myself and my fellow students the opportunity
to upskill our digital capabilities. Working closely with Microsoft, the university provided us with the
opportunity to complete Microsoft Accreditations through the Microsoft learn
certification programme. Through this, I
achieved 5 Microsoft accreditations in cloud computing and productivity tools. This knowledge then equipped me to be able to
enter the Microsoft Azure UK Championship with a chatbot I developed using
Microsoft Azure. My tutors were extremely
supportive, in particular Dr Hasnae Rahimi who believed and encouraged me to
challenge myself. I was amazed and
incredibly grateful when it was announced that I had won the Azure championship!
I believe by giving us the opportunity to gain Microsoft
accreditations alongside my master’s degree dramatically increased my
employability as well as my digital capabilities and after winning the
championship I was encouraged to apply for a job role with Microsoft themselves.
Not only did I secure a fantastic job but was also nominated by Microsoft to
tell my success story in a short video produced by Digiio.
I hope my story inspires and encourages many others to
strive to achieve more and be the best you can be. My university believed and encouraged me and
this undoubtedly led to my success. I
now have a fantastic job as the future ready skills lead for Microsoft UK, its
an absolute dream to be part of something that motivates me and I feel so
passionate about. I am real proof that
no matter your background or lack of previous computer science knowledge, with
support from a great university and the opportunity to gain digital
capabilities through Microsoft accreditations….absolutely anything is possible!
So… reach for the sky (or cloud!)."
