(Mathematics BSc, 2019)
I love working in the Tech industry. I have had so many amazing opportunities. I love that you do not need to be technical to work in the industry either. I love being able to do both: be somewhat technical but also client facing.
How did you come to the decision to study BSc Mathematics at Queen Mary?I have always enjoyed Mathematics from a very early age, I never dreaded going to my lessons at school or college like most people do. There are so many different branches of Mathematics too, so I liked the idea that you could find the topics in maths you were most interested in and continue down that path for the rest of the degree. I love being a problem solver and I am very persistent when it comes to puzzles and solving equations. I don’t give up at the first hurdle and will spend ages thinking and jotting things down, so I knew BSc Mathematics would be a good fit for me. I grew up in East London and knew of Queen Mary University of London, and how good it was. Being familiar with the area and a few people going, I was really excited to start.
What did you enjoy most about your degree and your overall University experience?I enjoyed how varied my degree was in terms of topics. I loved Algebra and Number Theory and continued these in years 2 and 3. The lecturers were brilliant, they had so much personality and really knew how to get you interested in the subject. I made friends for life on my course too.
I enjoyed my first year as I was living on campus and had the best flat mates. I would highly recommend living on campus to make friends outside of your course. It was one of the best experiences at Queen Mary. I was in Maurice Court and the campus really felt like home. You got to know everyone there even if they weren’t in your flat.
I would encourage prospective students to study BSc Mathematics because Queen Mary has such a friendly atmosphere, and the lecturers are amazing. You can tell they are so passionate about the subject they are teaching which automatically makes you want to master it too.
What does your role as Microsoft Functional Consultant at Capgemini involve and how does this job allow you to explore your passions?My role involves being a ‘product expert’ and it encompasses technical and client skills. As a Microsoft Functional Consultant, you know the Microsoft product inside out and can best advise the client on functionality and help them gather requirements in workshops. It has allowed me to explore software development which BSc Mathematics originally sparked my interest in.
How has your degree remained relevant throughout your career and to your current role?I have developed low code apps for clients and have used the skills I learned in my computing modules at Queen Mary, which really came in handy as I wasn’t actually a developer. The mathematics I learned in my 3 years really helped me when writing code for these apps, especially when writing validation code for dates and any numerical fields.
What do you find exciting about the industry you are currently in?I love working in the Tech industry. I have had so many amazing opportunities. I love that you do not need to be technical to work in the industry either. I love being able to do both: be somewhat technical but also client facing. There are so many opportunities especially in the low code/no code area, which I see only getting bigger and much more in demand.
What has your experience been like as a woman studying and now working in STEM?My experience studying was really great; I didn’t feel like the women were too outnumbered in my degree. It was encouraging to see how many women were on the course, and this is where I have met some of my best friends. Working in STEM, I have noticed that there is less women in the tech industry, and even less so within my team. Technology is still a male dominated industry, but it is getting better.
Why would you encourage prospective students to study BSc Mathematics based on your own experiences? I would encourage prospective students to study BSc Mathematics because Queen Mary has such a friendly atmosphere, and the lecturers are amazing. They are always willing to help you if you are struggling, answer any of your questions and give 100% in their lectures. You can tell they are so passionate about the subject they are teaching which automatically makes you want to master it too. The course is so well structured; the weekly coursework helps solidify your knowledge and gives you an understanding of where you are, which is very important. The course is structured and set up for you to succeed. It was a great experience to go through with my friends and we had so much fun during our 3 years at Queen Mary.
I have developed low code apps for clients and have used the skills I learned in my computing modules at Queen Mary, which really came in handy as I wasn’t actually a developer.
What is one piece of advice you have received that has really resonated with you? Advice I have received on taking exams – don’t panic when you see everyone else’s head down scribbling on the paper and you’re not sure on the question. Take your time to sit there and think, write some things down on the page that might help you or be relevant. Don’t just start rushing the answer despite the fact everyone else might be.This has always helped me when I’m not sure about a question but can see mostly everyone else writing away as it can put you off.
A little bit about you: what do you like to do outside of work? What are you most passionate about in life?I love going swimming twice a week and try to get some gym sessions in too. I am very interested in fashion, although I try not to buy too much clothing, especially new. I am passionate about circular economy and re-homing your old clothing rather than throwing it away as it is so bad for the environment. I have a vinted account to buy and sell and spend a lot of time during the week on this app!
This profile was conducted by Alumni Engagement Officer, Nicole Brownfield. If you would like to get in touch with Hayley or engage her in your work, please contact Nicole at n.brownfield@qmul.ac.uk.