Jess Davey

Why did you choose to study your subject at degree level?

I have always been interested in and enjoyed studying IT from before my GCSEs so it just made perfect sense to continue that at university.

Why did you choose to study your particular degree at Kent?

Because of the balance between business and IT. They are two topics that you can never escape from regardless of what industry you go into and so I wanted to get a deeper understanding of both before I started my career.

What were the highlights of the course for you?

Definitely my placement year. I worked at the Bank of England in their IT department and it was such a great experience to see how what I was learning at university could be translated into real life.

How well did you feel supported, both academically and personally?

So supported. My tutor was amazing and was always available for a chat when I needed it. I could go to her for advice on how best to approach an essay or just to chat if I was feeling overwhelmed.

What did you get involved in outside of your studies?

During my final year I got involved with speaking to potential new students about the benefits of choosing to do a placement year. It was a great way to get used to speaking in front of large groups of people which has helped me a great deal in my current role.

What did you think about the campus facilities?

The library at Medway is wonderful and all the buildings have so much history. The business buildings in the historic dockyard make for a great place to learn and The Deep End is an awesome place to hang out after lectures.

Did you get any careers help at Kent?

Our placement officers Katie and Sian were a great help when it came to finding a placement. They gave me so much advice on how to complete applications and even ran practice assessment centre sessions so I knew what to expect before I went in.

What job are you doing now?

I work for the Post Office on their IT Graduate Scheme, based in their HQ in London. Currently I am working with the Digital Adoption team on improving the usage of Office 365 and also developing apps to help automate processes across the business.

How did Kent prepare you for your career, in terms of skills/knowledge/attitude?

Because of the modules I studied, I got a broad understanding of IT and business knowledge. This ranged from HTML to how to manage people. The lecturers treat you like professionals and that is how they expect you to act which sets a great foundation for the workplace.

What do you want to do in the future?

As a young woman in IT I want to climb the leadership ladder and help other women realise that a career in IT is possible. IT is dominated by men and that needs to change.

Anything else you wanted to mention?

Make sure you pick a course with a placement year. My placement year was one of the most valuable experiences that Kent gave me and is a great talking point when you apply for graduate jobs.