Top industry and research professionals inspire underrepresented students at speed networking event

The event aimed to provide students from diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to engage and connect with professionals from a range of industries. By facilitating these connections, the working group hopes to bridge the gap between underrepresented communities and professionals, ultimately increasing career opportunities for these students.

The Computer Science Race Equality Working Group welcomed students with a fun ice breaker, followed by early careers talk led by Nicky Vallelly from DeepMind where students learnt about the computer science industry, career pathways and how to prepare for a career in industry. The students then spent some one-on-one time with the industry and research professionals during the speed networking session to gain valuable insights.

The professionals involved in the event came from a wide range of sectors, including finance, academia, technology, healthcare, and more. By bringing together professionals from various industries, the working group aimed to offer students a holistic perspective and expose them to different career options.

The speed networking panel included:

• Sam de Silva, Managing Director at Credit Suisse
• Morenike Magbagbeola, Research Fellow in Surgical Robot Vision at UCL
• Natasha Musonda, Senior Analyst at Avanade
• Temitayo Olugbade, Computer Science and AI Lecturer at University of Sussex
• Shah Odud, Associate Director at PwC
• Chimdi Igwe, Cybersecurity PhD student
• Dr Sobhan Tehrani, UCL Computer Science Lecturer

Through this event, the Race Equality working group also sought to address the underrepresentation of certain racial and ethnic groups in specific industries. By connecting underserved communities with industry professionals, they aim to break down barriers and create more inclusive environments within these sectors.

Sam de Silva, Managing Director at Credit Suisse shared his experience about the event:

“I was delighted to spend an evening with computer science students at UCL. Hearing their views and experiences is valuable to me. Junior and diverse talent is a key part of my role and great to be part of this journey.”

Cybersecurity PhD student Chimdi Igwe added:

“It’s great to see the department taking strides to support minority students through events like these”.

Students who participated in the event expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to engage with industry professionals on such a personal level. Many attendees expressed their eagerness to apply the insights gained from the event to their future career paths.

The annual speed networking event at High Holborn serves as a powerful platform for promoting race equality within various industries. By fostering connections and providing guidance to underrepresented students, the working group hopes to inspire change and encourage the diversification of professional spaces.

The race equality working group would like to thank all the participants and look forward to next year’s event.