Vladimir Georgiev
"For me, doing a summer internship shaped my career aspirations. I got an insight into what it’s like to be a researcher at a university and I've now decided I want to do a PhD at Surrey after I graduate."
Course
Computer Science BSc (Hons)Entry year
2015One of the reasons I decided to come to Surrey was that it has a big Artificial Intelligence (AI) group – which is the aspect of computer science I’m passionate about – and the BSc Computer Science course includes a number of AI modules, particularly in the final year.
During my time at Surrey I’ve not only undertaken a Professional Training placement year at IBM UK, working as a software engineer at the company’s Hursley location, but also done a summer research internship within the Department of Computer Science. I had mentioned to my placement tutor, Dr Sotiris Moschoyiannis, that I’d always been interested in research and – as my interests coincide with his area of research – he was happy to take me on as a research intern.
During my summer internship, my work focused on applying learning classifier systems, a rule-based machine learning technique, to control system dynamics models expressed as complex networks. Towards the end of my internship, I got a small paper accepted for a conference in Turin, Italy, which meant that I got to present my work in front of many world leading researchers. This was a great opportunity.
I’d definitely recommend doing a summer internship at the University because it enables you to develop a wide range of skills, increase your knowledge in a subject you’re passionate about, and work alongside academics, PhD students and research fellows who will inspire you further.
I think that Surrey is an amazing place: the people, the campus and the course have all been fantastic. Both the outstanding academics within the Department of Computer Science, and the Employability and Careers service staff, support you towards completing your degree and finding the right career path. For me, doing a summer internship has shaped my career aspirations. I got an insight into what it’s like to be a researcher at a University and have now decided that I want to do a PhD at Surrey after I graduate.
Why not explore our courses in computer science, including our BSc Computer Science?
Watch our video about summer internships in the Department of Computer Science.
