“Dipta, what’s your plan after graduating?” This is the question I have heard the most over the past few months. Who would not be sad knowing that this academic journey is about to end and leaving such a lovely city like Manchester. But I’m among those who are grateful enough to always have a solid reply for that type of question. “Yes, I will. I’ll continue working in the same company, but I will be working under a different division with a brand new role.”

Having things figured out early, even way before your graduation day is such a blessing. But, it has nothing to do with luck. In fact, I’m not a firm believer of the concept of luck. My professors would agree with me on this, and it influenced the way I approach learning during my master journey here. It started way before I came to Manchester. Like most of my classmates before they started their journey here, I had a long consideration in choosing my degree, university, city, and even a country to live in for pursuing my master degree. In my case, it took me a whole year to do my research to finally make up my mind. For me, it is easier to figure everything out early, prior to the academic journey itself, rather than figure things out after the journey has begun. Furthermore, I put my career as my utmost consideration in choosing my major, down to each course that I want to enrol in. The MSc Digital Development program offered by GDI is the best fit for my needs overall. It has the balance between practical world experience and theoretical needs for my research.

Since I previously worked as a Network Analyst in digital telecommunication industry, Introducing IS in Organizations and ICTs in Practice are two courses I find the most useful to help me advance my career. Its delivery combines interactive lectures, video, crossword game and handout materials provided in Canvas prior to the each session, and guest lectures with industry practitioners. These courses built a solid understanding from designing to deploying an information system through the use of frameworks and database design rules which I was familiar with, but never understand the reason why they are implemented in the first place.

I remember one session when we were doing a presentation to discuss an information system failure used by a post office in a country and how it contributes to the company’s failure. Since it was a quite a big class, I was fascinated by how everyone in the class was so engaged with the session. We were busy challenging each other’s ideas and even agreed to skip the 10 minutes break. That session reminds me of how an actual company setting works, where teams are so engaged in the process of delivering a project.

So, when the academic year is finally over and the classes are wrapped up, I’m confident enough to pick up a call from my employer’s HR and reported the progress of my study.  I mentioned several courses specifically and in what way those courses equipped me with skills and knowledge that are relevant to my company’s digital transformation vision and that I’m seeking the possibility to be assigned to a new department which I really longed for, in digital business and technology. To sum up, I received an acceptance letter after they asked me to submit an interim transcript reflecting the progress of my study with my supervisor’s signature on it. Thanks to my Professor, now my classes are wrapped and my future job is secured.

Written by Pradipta, a current Master’s student in SEED. 

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