Samreen N.
"One of my favourite aspects of Surrey is the strong employability support available to students. The employability team are incredibly supportive and offer a wide range of resources, including CV reviews, mock interviews, and careers guidance. These services have been invaluable in helping me prepare for the professional world."
Course
Computer Science BSc (Hons)Placement company
IBMWhat do you like about your course and why?
What I love most about my course is how multifaceted it is and how clearly everything links to real-world applications. From learning data structures and algorithms to object oriented programming, each module builds practical skills that are directly relevant beyond university. My personal favourite has been the Cybersecurity modules, as it combines problem-solving, critical thinking, and real-world impact.
Studying Computer Science at Surrey is about much more than just coding; it's about developing a strong analytical mindset, learning how technology shapes society, and gaining the confidence to tackle complex challenges in a rapidly evolving digital world.
The support from staff has been outstanding! Whether it's academic guidance or employability advice, lecturers and tutors are always approachable and genuinely invested in students' success. When I first started the course, I had no prior coding experience, but the structured support and lab helpers made a huge difference and helped me settle quickly.
The facilities are another highlight. Having access to the labs 24/7, 365 days a year is incredibly convenient and creates a flexible learning environment. I have also made great friends on the course, and the community is welcoming and collaborative, which makes learning much more enjoyable.
We also have an incredible team of Course Representatives who actively listen to student feedback and work closely with staff to improve the course experience.
In my final year, I have especially appreciated the wide range of optional modules available. As I aspire to work in Security, I have chosen modules such as Privacy Enhancing Technologies and Ethical Hacking and Pen Testing. Being able to study areas I am genuinely passionate about has made my learning experience both exciting and motivating.
What do you enjoy most about Surrey?
As a commuter student, I really enjoy the campus life. Having everything located on one campus in incredibly convenient and makes day-to-day university life much easier. The campus itself is also a beautiful place to study, with green spaces, the lake, and views of the cathedral, creating a calm and welcoming environment.
Surrey also stands out for its wide range of student societies, which makes it easy to get involved in activities beyond academics. I am particularly passionate about Motorsports and Formula 1, and the university offers fantastic opportunities to explore these interests through societies such as Formula Student (SURTES), the F1 Society, and karting. These societies help students connect with others who share similar interests while developing teamwork and practical skills.
Samreen is passionate about Motorsports and Formula 1.
Samreen is passionate about Motorsports and Formula 1.
One of my favourite aspects of Surrey is the strong employability support available to students. The employability team are incredibly supportive and offer a wide range of resources, including CV reviews, mock interviews, and careers guidance. These services have been invaluable in helping me prepare for the professional world.
In September 2024, I attended an IBM session on campus that focused on internship and graduate opportunities at IBM. The insights from this session, combined with Surrey's employability support, played a key role in helping me perform well in my interviews and assessment centre - ultimately helping me secure the role! The two professionals leading the session, who were both Surrey alumni, later became my mentors during my internship.
This year, I am also taking part in the PwC Diversity and Mentoring Scheme, provided by the university. This has given me insight into industry expectations and professional development, as well as having the support of a mentor.
Overall, Surrey provides a supportive, well-resourced, and engaging environment that helps students grow both academically and personally.
Tell us about your internship at IBM
I completed a 12-week Summer Internship at IBM as a Technology Intern in the Customer Success Management team. I supported client demos and deployments for watsonx Orchestrate and Governance, helping prepare technical materials and contribute to client-facing sessions. This experience strengthened my confidence in professional environments and my ability to clearly communicate technical concepts.
A key highlight of the internship was working on innovation projects involving AI and automation. I helped design and develop chatbot solutions using watsonx and Langflow, including an internal tool called CSM Sync. This chatbot integrated with Salesforce to extract data, summarise handwritten notes, and automatically send structured updates to teams, significantly improving workflow efficiency.
Samreen successfully secured an internship at IBM.
Samreen successfully secured an internship at IBM.
After completing the internship, I returned to the University of Surrey to deliver an on-campus session about IBM internships and graduate schemes - the same session I had attended a year earlier as a student. Sharing my experience with others felt like a full-circle moment!
In addition, I completed the McLaren 60 Scholars Programme, where I was selected for an exclusive cohort and gained exposure to advanced engineering, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making within high-performance motorsport, in partnership with Google, Cisco, Cadence and McLaren Racing. These experiences have been highlights of my degree and have strongly shaped my career aspirations.
What do you want to do when you graduate?
When I graduate, I am hoping to pursue a career in cybersecurity and risk, particularly in areas such as incidence response, risk management, and secure system design. I am interested in roles that combine technical problem-solving with strategic thinking, where technology can be used to manage risk, protect data, and strengthen operational resilience.
Alongside this, I have a strong long-term ambition (and childhood dream!) to work in Formula 1. Through my work experience at Alpine Formula 1 Team and McLaren Racing, as well as being invited to Women in STEM events hosted by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team and Red Bull Racing, I have gained valuable exposure in high-performance sporting environments. These experiences have reinforced my desire to apply my technical and analytical skills within motorsports. Experiencing the intensity of race weekends and seeing how every decision, system, and data point comes together in the pit lane has made it a dream of mine to one day be part of that environment and contribute behind the scenes to performance on track.
My goal is to build a strong foundation in cybersecurity and risk, while continuing to develop the skills needed to work in fast-paced, data-driven environments like Formula 1.
Your advice to new students
My advice would be to fully embrace the experience and make the most of the opportunities available to you. Computer Science at Surrey offers far most than just academic learning, so take advantage of the support sessions, lab helpers, and resources from the very start - they are here to help you succeed!
Just as importantly, make time to enjoy university life and build meaningful connections with the people around you. The friends you make on this course and the experiences you share with them will stay with you long after you graduate. Studying alongside people who support, challenge, and motivate you makes the journey far more enjoyable and helps you grow both academically and personally
I would also encourage students to get involved beyond the lecture theatre - join societies, attend career events, and speak to people working in industries that genuinely interest you. These experiences not only help you discover what you enjoy, but they can also open doors you may not expect. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone - many opportunities that shape your future begin with taking the first step.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey. University is a unique time to learn, grow, and explore your interests while surrounded by a supportive community. The skills you gain are important, but the friendships you build and the experiences you have will stay with you for life.
