Fariha Choudhury
Sigma Labs Relationship: Current Consultant
Sigma Labs Cohort: 11 (March 2024 - June 2024)
University Degree: Computer Science at Kings College London
Sigma Labs Client Role: Data Engineer at an energy company
What made Sigma Labs stand out from others you considered applying to?
How focused and relevant the training is. Rather than taking a generic approach, they teach you exactly what you need to succeed in a role, whether that’s data engineering, data analytics or software engineering. You cover a lot of ground, from technical tools to industry best practices. The programme is built on what employers are actually looking for in industry.
How do you feel the training programme helped you prepare for the next step in your career?
On the technical side, it gave me hands-on experience with cloud platforms, which is something I didn't learn at university but is essential in the industry. One of the biggest changes I noticed in myself was my ability to take on a full coding project. Before Sigma Labs, I wouldn't have known where to start but now I can build a project from scratch!
On the non-technical side, the programme also helped me understand how to work well in a professional environment. We're taught everything from setting SMART goals to writing professional messages and communicating clearly at work. That kind of preparation made a real difference when I started my first role.
Have you had the chance to work on any exciting or meaningful projects?
The most enjoyable was the Railway Tracker application we developed for our final project. My team built a system to track delays, cancellations, and statistics for the UK railway system, which allowed us to apply our skills to a real-world challenge. It also gave me a clearer understanding of how these types of apps are built and how they handle large amounts of data.