Computer Science students improve their chances of employment success
Posted on 9 October 2013
These include final-year students Nick Dandakis, Mihaela Maior and James Spence, who have completed 12-week internships with York-based software and digital sector employers. The internships have equipped the students with real-world experience and vital problem-solving and time-management skills.
The Computer Science students completed their internships alongside over 100 other intern projects managed through the University of York. Summer interns are now an established way by which York’s businesses can access skills and enthusiasm to make a real difference to their activities.
Nick Dandakis spent 12 weeks with Mitrefinch, developers of employee management and security solutions. He said: “My role was to maintain, extend and improve the test automation system that Mitrefinch uses. After four weeks, I proposed a new system that would be easier to use and maintain, and produce more useable test results than the current system. Mitrefinch has now offered me a part-time job as a Test Automation Engineer at a competitive graduate wage.
“Being able to influence a company as much as I have taught me a very valuable lesson; never be content with just getting by, take risks and opportunities when presented with them and you will be rewarded when the time comes.”
Mitrefinch Product Development Manager Daniel Woolfson said: “This was my second experience of the summer internship and the University’s Department of Computer Science has again assisted me in finding a very capable undergraduate who has excelled in the project I assigned. I would certainly recommend an internship from the University of York to others running technology companies.”
For final year student Mihaela Maior the internship has also resulted in a part-time job with York-based RedBlack Software.
Jane Tyler, Chief Executive Officer of RedBlack Software, said: “A student internship was a relatively low-cost way for us to tackle some projects that have been on the back-burner. We were delighted with the contribution that Mihaela has made, both technically and as a member of the team.”
The University sees student internships as adding real value to the local economy. This summer’s record number of internships suggests that businesses agree with the value a motivated student can add.
Andrew Ferguson
James Spence worked on a project for SBL, which offers companies security solutions. The project involved the creation, management and hosting of a secure cyber security Wiki environment, which involved collaboration with organisations in the UK and US.
Final-year student James said: “I developed and managed my own project and learned a lot about client interaction and project management. This combined with the areas of responsibility I faced, and the experience gained from resolving the problems, have made major contributions to my personal development. I am returning to University feeling more mature and more organised than when I left it.”
Andrew Ferguson, Assistant Director, Business, Enterprise and Community, in Careers at the University of York, said: “The University sees student internships as adding real value to the local economy. This summer’s record number of internships suggests that businesses agree with the value a motivated student can add. We were delighted to be able to offer some financial support to smaller businesses considering internships thanks to the generous involvement of Santander Bank. We are looking forward to building on these successes over the next year.”
Notes to editors:
- For further information on the University of York’s Department of Computer Science visit www.cs.york.ac.uk
- For more information on the support available for local businesses to access student and graduate interns visit www.york.ac.uk/careers/employers
Contact details
Keep up to date
Subscribe to news feeds
