Hi! My name is Bertrand McClane. I’m 22 years old and have always been fascinated with computers. From an early age, I wanted to automatise and simplify the mundane tasks through dedicated and generalist software. I like to read and play video and board games (such as the Settlers of Catan and Dungeons and Dragons). I also enjoy problem-solving and optimising tasks, either through software development or re-designing the task itself. I love studying and learning new languages (modern or programming).
How did you make the decision to study at Strathclyde?
At the time, my brother was also studying at the University of Strathclyde and strongly recommended it, as well as multiple other family members. I picked University of Strathclyde itself because I knew it had a strong Science Faculty and Computer Science Department. Going to the open days finalised my decision as it showed exactly what I would be learning and gave me the opportunity to ask questions to my future lecturers directly.
In the end, choosing to study at the University of Strathclyde was one of the best decisions I made.
What do you like about your course and Strathclyde?
It combines just the right amount of practical and theoretical computer science readying you for industrial, theoretical and research opportunities. I always preferred the more practical aspect of software development, however, with the classes offered in the course, I soon changed opinion as they were taught in a very appealing and fun way, showing us that theoretical computer science can be used within both an industrial and practical environment.
I liked Strathclyde itself as the scenery is magnificent during the winter times, it is extremely well placed within Glasgow for walks between classes and the ethos of the University is very appealing. Lecturers themselves do not treat their students like numbers but genuinely care about them and help as much as possible, they want their students to succeed!
Why did you choose to study MEng Computer Science?
Initially, I wanted to study Mathematics, Statistics and Finance as I wanted to become an Actuary. Upon attending open days for Mathematics and a few other degrees, I understood that it wasn’t something I wanted to make a career of and transferred to Software Engineering. As mentioned in the introduction, I am an avid lover of software development but didn’t think I could succeed in it as I always thought too many software engineers were already in the market. Going to the open days for Mathematics & Statistics, Chemistry and Computer Science really showed me that Computer Science was the way to go for me. This was one of the best decisions I made as I am now on top of all my classes and have secured a graduate scheme in an international organisation.
What do you like most about MEng Computer Science?
It most definitely teaches you everything you need to begin a career in Computer Science, ranging from Cyber Security to Software Engineering, where students can specialise in their preferred fields throughout their time in the course.
What are your ambitions for the future and how do you think your time at Strathclyde will help you achieve your goals?
I wanted to learn how to develop software and become a Full-Stack developer. The University of Strathclyde and, more specifically, their Computer Science Department really sets you up for your own ambitions and helps you to make them a reality. Some of my colleagues had the ambition of becoming Doctors in Computer Science, which the Department also helped them with.
Having learned more than I expected, I feel like I am more than ready to enter into the world of work and achieve my fullest potential as a Software Developer and Analyst.
What would you say to anyone considering coming to study at Strathclyde?
Having participated in the undergraduate open days for Computer Science as a demonstrator, one of the most common questions is about the dissertation students complete in their fourth year. The most important piece of advice I can give is Do Not Panic! During the dissertation, you are provided with a tutor who guides you through the dissertation and answers any questions you may have. Guidance is provided and as mentioned previously, the course readies you for such tasks, so it isn’t something that should worry students.
More generally, I would recommend making an appointment with the Career Services as soon as possible to create an itinerary for your degree and career. It will help you understand what you can expect after your degree, your career prospects and what modules you need to study for each career path.