Cameron Stott, a graduate of the MSc in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Aberdeen, received hands-on industry experience at ThinkAnalytics through The Data Lab Academy. We spoke to Cameron about how the placement has impacted his career, which recently led to him securing a full-time position with the company.
The Challenge
Cameron’s placement at ThinkAnalytics involved optimising internal processes. His primary task was to enhance the company’s extensive content-tagging procedure, aiming to reduce the time required. Cameron noted the supportive environment, emphasising the benefits of gaining industry experience and feeling comfortable knowing he would learn in a welcoming setting. Regular departmental standups exposed him to a variety of projects, providing insights and inspiration for innovative solutions.
“I’ve always thought that gaining industry experience is so beneficial…I was comfortable knowing I wouldn’t just be left and would actually learn in a welcoming environment.”
The Solution
Working with mentors and supervisors from The Data Lab, ThinkAnalytics, and the university, Cameron put his academic knowledge to the test in real-world situations. He found that trusting his skills and believing in his place on the team made a big difference. By jumping into discussions and asking questions, he made the most of the expertise around him.
“Believing that you are there for a reason and to trust what you’ve learnt was a big thing.”
The Outcome
Cameron’s placement led to a full-time role at ThinkAnalytics, giving him the confidence to apply his academic skills to real industry challenges. He found that tackling new problems became easier as he learned to trust his abilities. Encouraging other students to seek similar opportunities, he highlighted the value of hands-on experience and resilience in building a successful career.
“I feel more at ease if given a new challenge or problem that I will be able to apply what I’ve learnt to get to a solution… If you are on the fence about doing a placement, I would say go for it…you’ve got to trust that you know the stuff.”
Through this experience, Cameron not only gained practical skills but also a deeper confidence in his abilities, illustrating the profound impact of industry placements on academic learning and career readiness.
Want to learn more about our placement programme? Students can find all the details here. If you’re a Scottish business looking to host a student, like ThinkAnalytics did, click here to find out more.