Brian Downer

Why did you choose the University of Birmingham?

I did my undergraduate degree in German and Business Studies at Birmingham so I knew I wouldn’t waste any time getting up to speed in a familiar environment. As well as this, I was also encouraged by the fact that the university ranks as one of the best places to study computer science in the country.

What was your motivation for undertaking postgraduate study?

I thought an MSc in computer science would give me a competitive advantage in my career and would form a good foundation for understanding how to build great software.  I also thought that in comparison to an MBA, an MSc in computer science represented better value, the opportunity to acquire practical skills that were in high demand and also meant a shorter timeframe before returning to the business world.

What was the highlight of your time at Birmingham?

After my final exams, I really enjoyed spending the summer working on my end of year software project. It was a lot of fun creating a significant application from scratch and getting to grips with the Java programming language.

What advice would you give to current students studying MSc Computer Science?

Make an early trip to the careers lab to line up opportunities for when your MSc completes. Invest in “how to code” text books – the good ones will become your best friends. Reach out to buddies or tutors if there’s technical stuff you don’t understand. Choose an end of year project you are really passionate about – that way you’ll keep coding even when you’re tired. Most importantly have fun and make the most of your year as it will be over before you know it.

How did you grow as a person by studying at University? Did it change your life in any way?

My MSc helped build my confidence of databases and programming. It also reinforced my belief that if you put your mind to something and commit, all things are possible.

How did your degree prepare you for what you are doing now?

The skills from my MSc, which I’ve found most useful in my career in technology consulting, have been software programming, requirements gathering and working with stakeholders.

How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham?

I had several job offers confirmed before my MSc completed. I accepted the offer from Accenture as I saw it as a great place to build broad experience early in my career. After several years travelling the world working for Accenture, I set up my own consulting business and have spent my career since then working with financial services companies and startups.