Case study: Olumide Odetunde

Olumide studied MSc Data Science at Loughborough University. Coming from a veterinary science background, Olumide explains how the data science master’s gave him the technical skills to prepare himself for a career in the tech field.

What made you interested in studying AI and data science?

I am a veterinary surgeon and in my previous role I was involved in monitoring the performance of production units using defined key performance indicators. After using a data-driven approach to make executive decisions that reduced the annual cost of production, it spurred my interest to plunge into the data space and develop my data skills and competence.

Were there any role models that inspired you?

I was further inspired by a friend that successfully made the pivot from being a veterinarian to using his acquired data science skills to create artificial intelligence solutions within the media sector. This encouraged me to hone my data skills and enrol for graduate studies at Loughborough University.

Tell us about your course

The course was delivered using a block structure that was carefully planned to aid the application of methods and techniques being taught. I enjoyed the storytelling module because this module taught me how to present insights, findings and predictions obtained in a personal way that the target audience can resonate with. The module taught me to tell stories with data.

For my dissertation, I had the opportunity to work on a task set by an NHS healthcare organisation in collaboration with Dr Cosma who was my supervisor. I analysed and fused physiological data obtained from various sensors. I designed and implemented deep learning models for emotion recognition using fused data.

I applied and extended the technical skills gained during the programme to the project and presented my results to the healthcare and academic teams. This was valuable to me because I developed my technical skills greatly, contributed to a challenging health task and improved my presentation skills.

What attracted you to the courses?

The module structure and progression on the university website was carefully planned for students from different backgrounds with little or no programming experience. Further, Loughborough University is a top 10 university in the United Kingdom with an outstanding learning environment. This convinced me that the data science course at Loughborough university was the ideal programme for me.

Did you do a work placement as part of your course?

I got an internship role as a healthcare data science intern at BUPA through the health data research UK internship program with the support I received from the university’s career services. As a health care data science intern at BUPA, I expected to apply my skills to develop an artificial intelligence solution to a defined problem within the health sector, learn about the organisation and improve my soft skills. The internship helped me achieve this and particularly improved my interpersonal skills.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to consistently use acquired data skills and techniques to create solutions within the health and business sectors. The conversion data science course has equipped me with the knowledge, methods, and technical skills required to consistently make an impact within these sectors.  

What advice would you give someone like yourself, who might be thinking about studying on the postgraduate conversion course programme?

The postgraduate data science course at Loughborough is well planned to help students from different backgrounds and with little or no programming experience make the most of the course. I studied different modules like computational statistics, machine learning, data governance and ethics on the course. The modules were delivered in a very understandable manner that students from non-STEM backgrounds can understand. Students thinking about studying the data science conversion course should apply and enjoy the exciting learning curve.