Beata Dunne

Prior to joining Kubrick, I completed my undergraduate studies in Biology at the University of York, which included a year abroad in industry at the palaeontology department of the University of Vienna. There, I had a supervisor who encouraged me to work independently on the data I collected, exploring different methods and ideas. I continued to develop my interest in data in my final year of university, completing a project using records from the National Biodiversity Network and Ph.D. projects to investigate invasive Coleoptera into the United Kingdom.

I love data because there is so much being produced and collected that we don’t know what’s out there just yet! It’s like discovering the oceans or the rainforests - there is such depth that new trends and patterns may be just around the corner. For example, during my university fieldwork, I met researchers from the Wild Nature Institute who were using Machine Learning to study giraffe movements within Tarangire National Park, which could revolutionise the future of non-invasive wildlife monitoring. The world of data isn’t limited to only one field either, it’s everywhere!

I wanted to join Kubrick as the training programme offers a great alternative to the conventional option of a master’s degree. My year abroad showed me the major benefits of industry experience and how I can excel whilst learning on the job. Kubrick’s model of client placements also gives the opportunity to gain great insight into how largescale businesses are run, which is something I lacked experience in. I was then surprised and excited to find that my cohort in training was so diverse, with people from all over the country with a variety of academic backgrounds, whose differences of experience we harnessed in each of our projects throughout training.

The Kubrick training process has enabled me to build a broad skillset of both soft and technical skills. Mixing theoretical teaching with practical exercises helps deepen our understanding of technical and business concepts. The teaching was supported by project work, designed to test our organisation, teamwork, and prioritisation/distribution of tasks whilst applying our skills.

Throughout the programme, I felt supported by my cohort, the trainers, and Kubrick’s People team. Working in small groups meant I developed friendships with my teammates, helping us feel close whilst training remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. We completed weekly surveys to record how we were doing so that if any issues occurred, they were sorted quickly. Kubrick also hosted Q&A sessions with more senior consultants to get early insight into our future options beyond our first client placements.

For anyone considering a career in data and technology, remember that there no specific trait that is required; it’s an extremely accessible career path which thrives on having a diverse group of people!