Bolanle Oyediran
Where did you study Business Information Systems?
I studied BIS at Middlesex University between 2010 and 2013, preceded by a foundation year in 2009. I subsequently studied for a masters degree at Kingston University focussing on international business management and project management.
After studying both technology and business, I found that I was most interested in the business side of things, but both aspects have fed into my subsequent roles.
And what jobs have you had since studying at university?
I first worked as a Learning Assistant at Middlesex alongside my studies. Then, in my first major job I worked as Branch Development Coordinator at CIPD, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Whilst there I saw how businesses are reliant on proceses and information to get products out to their intended audience.
My degree in BIS really fed into that – I learnt that no business can survive without technology, and technology is essential for making things happen in organisations in simpler, smarter and better ways. Next, I worked as an IT scheduler for the bank, RBS. I was involved in migration projects in this role and was able to draw on all the knowledge about IT terminology, software and hardware that I acquired during my degree.
And what do you do now?
Up until very recently I worked as a Financial Crime and Customer Analyst for RBS which involved the application of lots of automated processes and systems to analyse data. I have just started a new role at Now Pensions, where my knowledge of systems and processes is again being put to good use.
What do you wish you had known as an information systems student? And what advice would you give to a current student of BIS?
In retrospect, as a student I wish I’d had a mapped-out plan in terms of what I wanted to do within the world of business or technology. If I’d had a clearer idea back then I might have focussed more clearly on which aspects of my studies I wanted to focus on to assist my future career path. For instance, I would like to have acquired more programming skills and knowledge. So, for current BIS students, I would advise them to start mapping out a plan of what they want to do after university as soon as possible, and work out how that relates to BIS. Give 100% to all components of your course as it’s all related and you will find it all useful in some way or another in the world of work.
What kinds of skills do you think employers are looking for in BIS graduates?
You have to be technology-compliant. Employers want you to know what the latest technologies are and how they’re relevant. You should know how tech solutions can help to safeguard, review costs and improve productivity and efficiency. They want graduates who can make things better, quicker and smarter.
What would you say are the most important hot topics in BIS at the moment?
AI is very important, and integrated in every business these days. Data modelling is very important – don’t underestimate the power of this. Other important topics that should be aware of at present include machine learning, robotics, programming and big data analytics (this is very important in the companies I’ve worked for – how do you interpret, work with and cleanse data?).
What are the biggest challenges of your current job?
Being able to integrate data in the smartest way you can when there’s so much of it.
What are the best elements of your current job?
Being able to apply what I studied to my job; working with what you learnt and the ability to add value to your organisation by using this knowledge.
