Alumna Bethan Mann (BSc Criminology, 2020 and MSc Social Data Science, 2021) 

Alumna Bethan Mann reflects on her studies at Exeter and career

Hear from alumna Bethan Mann (BSc Criminology, 2020 and MSc Social Data Science, 2021) about her pathway to becoming a data scientist.

"Since graduating I’ve been working at YouGov in the Political and Social Team, as a junior research executive. My research skills were key but overall, it was the fact that I was literate in R / R studio that made me stand out from the crowd and got me the position.

"I love that with my role I get to continue researching first hand different social and political issues and that the work we do is always completely up to date in the news. I also love that our data is so widely used, and you can see direct positive impact of collecting the data we do, and it’s pretty cool seeing it regularly in the news. 

"I plan to stay at YouGov for the foreseeable future, and hopefully travel with work too so I can experience working in a different culture and country.

"Looking back on my studies I enjoyed the quantitative data analysis the most and being able to apply it to the crime areas I was interested in most. I liked that my course was quite small so that I knew everyone, and I got to know my lecturers in the Q-step centre too, which felt quite close and like a very constructive and supportive place to learn.

"The advice I’d give to current students wishing to pursue a career in data science is take the opportunities from uni that you can, say yes to all the work experience opportunities, even if they’re just a week. Look to work with lecturers that you share research interests with and throw yourself into the modules that you enjoy - but also have the best time with your friends as it’s a once in a lifetime experience!’"

Date: 30 June 2022