My International Experience: Kane

Posted on: 4 December 2023 by Richard Finch in Graduate stories

Kane Lindsay is a Class of 2022 BSc Computer Science graduate now studying for a Master's in Computer Vision at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and working as an Intern at Lockheed Martin UAE.

I applied to MBZUAI after receiving a message from a recruiter through the University of Liverpool Handshake platform and discussing the details of the opportunity with them.

Regarding Lockheed Martin, I have followed them since before my degree in Liverpool and found that they had a presence in the United Arab Emirates at the MBZUAI internship and opportunities fair, at which I was volunteering as a Careers Services Ambassador.

In the last five years, I moved out of my rural home village of Bircotes, lived in a city for the first time in Liverpool, and then moved to Abu Dhabi, one of the world's metropolises.

I'd say a significant reason I got here is having an 'open door philosophy'—a general direction that I wanted to go, then applying, or saying yes, to any opportunity that presented itself without worrying if I fit every single criteria or if it wasn't on exactly the same topic as my interest in computer vision.

Additionally, I worked hard to maximise the chance that such opportunities would become available to me. I did this by first cycling to the library to study and catch up each weekday in Liverpool to excel in academia. Secondly, I attended useful extracurriculars, including Mandarin Chinese classes offered by the Open Languages scheme and the UoL Mountaineering Club, to keep myself engaged by practising something other than Computer Science in my free time and to keep in good physical health with the Athletic Union.

Lastly, I improved my 'employability' by volunteering as a departmental peer mentor for two years to assist new and international computer science students while I completed my own degree. Furthermore, I completed a summer internship in the EPSRC Centre at the UoL Centre for Risk and Uncertainty and an online summer school with the China University of Mining and Technology, both of which the UoL advertised through email.

Lastly, I realised that it is useful to maintain a mindset of 'outcome independence', which is to not become too emotionally attached to a particular path and freak out if things go differently. For example, my intention throughout my time at the UoL was to study abroad at XJTLU, which didn't work out due to a particular event in 2019. Instead of giving up on studying abroad, I applied to MBZUAI when the opportunity arose, and I came to be where I am now.

As a final comment, I will mention that throughout university, I tried to put myself around the right people. I tried out several societies and clubs to meet students with similar interests, since it's much easier to stay motivated with a group of good friends."

Your favourite experience as part of your career after graduating?

My favourite experience has been getting off the Etihad Dreamliner and seeing the massive scale and energetic atmosphere of the UAE's cities. There are always new businesses and buildings being created around the country, striving to integrate and excel in the world's best technologies and innovations. It's exciting to be researching AI at an international hub between the East and West, and the weather is good too.

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

The most challenging aspect has been the transition from a taught degree in UoL to a research-based degree at MBZUAI. It isn't a big difficulty; however, I have had to quickly improve my self-led research ability and time-management significantly.

My top 3 tips for current students and recent graduates:

1) Maximise your CV, resume, and personal branding. Do extracurriculars, volunteer, and join societies. The more you practise this, the more opportunities will come to you.

2) Have an open-door philosophy. Broaden your options by applying for everything you are offered; say yes to opportunities; and don't be too worried if that requires a change from where you are now.

3) Practise outcome independence. Set goals and work towards them, but don't freak out if you don't get the outcome you expected. There are always other options to apply for, and you don't lose the skills you gained along the way."