Posted: 18th April 2023

Nicole Williams studied Computer Science at Oriel College from 2010 to 2014 and has gone on to be a software engineer for a small bespoke software consultancy.

What course did you study here and when?

I studied Computer Science at Oriel College from 2010 to 2014.

What was your background before that?

I came to Oxford straight out of secondary school; I'd been studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Latin for A Level, at Dr Challoner's High School in South Buckinghamshire.

What attracted you to studying Computer Science as a subject?

I'd originally thought about doing a Maths degree, but while I was looking into universities, I heard a couple of talks about Computer Science, and that seemed much more my kind of thing - still maths-y, but a bit more applied.

What aspects of the course you studied here did you particularly enjoy?

It turned out to be a good choice, and I thoroughly enjoyed the course, particularly the balance of theoretical classwork and more hands-on problem-solving in lab sessions.

What did you do when you left Oxford?

Since graduating, I have been working as a software engineer for a small bespoke software consultancy in London. This has been interesting work, as the nature of consultancy means that I have been able to work on a variety of projects and systems.

How has the course you studied here helped you in your current profession?

My time at Oxford has been helpful both directly, through the application of concepts from the lecture courses such as security principles and object-oriented design patterns, and indirectly, as tutorial sessions gave me a lot of practise in articulating questions and explanations, which is an important skill in software development. Nicole Williams

What advice would you give students on applying their knowledge in the workplace, when they leave?

I would advise students considering their careers to keep an eye out for the variety of opportunities available to Computer Science graduates – there are a lot of possibilities out there.