Kagieba Sivathasan

Data Management and Strategy Graduate, Lloyds Banking Group

Tell us about your current job. Describe what you do on a typical day.

I currently work as a Data Governance Specialist at Lloyds Banking Group, where I’m involved in ensuring the quality, governance, and strategic use of data across the organisation. My role focuses on managing data effectively, improving processes, and supporting the delivery of insights that inform key business decisions. On a typical day, I attend team meetings, collaborate with colleagues across different business areas to understand their data needs, and contribute to ongoing data initiatives. I also spend time developing my technical skills through hands-on project work and structured learning.

What skills from your degree do you think you use most in your current job?

The skills I use most from my degree are the technical skills I developed, particularly Python and SQL, as I’ve been able to apply these directly in my day-to-day role. I also gained strong presentation, teamwork, and communication skills through group projects, and these have been invaluable, as communicating and presenting key insights is a major part of what I do now.

What would you recommend students should do at university, over and above their academic study, to make them more employable in the graduate market?

I’d recommend that students get involved in activities beyond their academic work that help them build practical experience and transferable skills. This could be through taking on committee roles, joining societies, or getting involved in group projects. As someone who was a Student Ambassador, I found that these types of roles really help develop communication, leadership, and teamwork skills, all of which are valuable in any future career. I’d also strongly recommend gaining experience outside your degree, as it demonstrates initiative. This can be through part-time work, volunteering, or internships. The Careers Network at the University frequently advertises internships and part-time roles, so it’s worth keeping an eye on those opportunities.

Did you take advantage of support services offered by the University for example Careers Network and Wellbeing, and if so, what impact did they have on you?

I made regular use of the Careers Network, and I found it incredibly helpful. They offer frequent appointments where you can discuss any concerns, ask for guidance, and get tailored support throughout the application process. They also provide a CV and cover-letter feedback service, as well as mock interview sessions. I highly recommend that students make use of the resources provided by the Careers Network, such as the online CV checker and skills tools. These resources were genuinely useful for me and made a big difference when preparing for graduate applications.

Why did you originally apply to Birmingham?

I applied to Birmingham because of its strong academic reputation within the data field. The modules aligned well with what I was looking for in a course, and I felt the programme offered a good balance of theory, structured learning, and independent study. Coming from a Biomedical Science background, it was important for me to find a course that would support a career change and help me build the technical skills needed to move into data. This course was specifically designed as a conversion programme, covering everything from the fundamentals to more advanced technical knowledge, which made it the ideal choice for me!