Tell us a bit about yourself

Moving from Bulgaria to the UK in 2019 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science & AI was one of the most challenging yet rewarding decisions of my life. Leaving behind my home country to study in a foreign place and enter a male-dominated field was daunting, to say the least. Initially, I thought I simply wasn’t cut out for it, as everything appeared incredibly difficult. However, five years later, I am immensely grateful for every challenge that came my way. Once I overcame the biggest one – believe it or not, learning how to code – I began to enjoy every aspect of the degree. After graduating in 2023, I am now thrilled to be working in a field that I am extremely passionate about!

Tell us about your role at QBE

Currently, I am working as a Data Engineer, part of a 9-person engineering team that manages a Data Science cloud platform. When I joined, I expected my focus to be solely on data engineering tasks such as building data pipelines, warehouses, and automating data ingestion processes. This did not match reality… in the best way possible. Over the past nine months, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in data engineering projects but also complete work in many other areas such as DevOps engineering, Data Quality and Testing. In doing so, I’ve significantly expanded my technical knowledge, which has set me on track to become a well-rounded professional capable of contributing to any aspect of our team’s work.

How has QBE helped support your career development?

I joined QBE as part of their Data Graduate Programme that commenced in October 2023. The whole programme is structured to support career development by providing numerous opportunities to network, develop new skills and gain knowledge relevant to your role/role of interest. One of the greatest things about the graduate scheme is the chance to pursue a part-time master’s degree alongside my full-time job, with the studies integrated into my work week.  What’s more, I am fortunate enough to be part of an amazing team of individuals that never fail to provide all the support that I need to advance my career.

What career advice would you give to other women starting in data?

Having a well-planned career path in mind is a great thing unless it makes you shy away from everything that does not fit into the plan. Sometimes a piece of work/project/role might seem entirely irrelevant to you but can actually teach you valuable lessons that help you accelerate your career. Be bold, challenge yourself and seize opportunities as they come.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi, my name is Manveer and I work at QBE as the Data Analysis Manager in the Data Centre of Excellence. I completed my degree in Business Studies @ The University of Sussex and then a Post Graduate Diploma in Computing & Information Systems @ The University of Greenwich. I really enjoy the gym and running and completed my first 10k this year.

I also love reading books and listening to personal development podcasts which led me to completing a course on Neuro Linguistic Programming last year which is all about how the human mind works and how to improve communication both with yourself and others which I really enjoyed.

Tell us about your role at QBE?

I joined QBE in Jan 2022 as a Principal Data Analyst and now lead a Data Analysis team who work on various transformation and change projects.

As the Data Analysis Manager at QBE’s Data Centre of Excellence, my primary responsibilities include the development of robust structures and frameworks, alongside an effective operating model. This ensures that my team can perform optimally, and in alignment with our data strategy. A key aspect of my role involves fostering an environment focused on continuous learning and professional development.

My duties are diverse, ranging from providing day-to-day support to my team as they navigate various challenges, to actively collaborating with other teams. My goal is to ensure a thorough understanding of our data strategy and its integral value, thereby contributing to the broader objectives of QBE.

How has QBE helped support your career development?

Since joining QBE, I have experienced exceptional support in my career progression, and I take great pride in being part of a team that champions open dialogue and the implementation of innovative ideas. The empowerment to voice our thoughts and the encouragement to bring new concepts to fruition are values deeply embedded in our culture.

I have had the privilege of working with a professional coach, enhancing my skills through regular ‘Lunch & Learn’ sessions, and expanding my network via Aspire membership events. Additionally, throughout my time at QBE I have had the opportunity to participate in various training, ranging from the QBE Leadership program as well as several Agile courses. These opportunities have been pivotal in my professional development.

What career advice would you give to other women starting in data?

Be curious and build a passion for learning, this is a lifelong process and the more you expose yourself to, the more chances you will have to discover what your passion is, ultimately guiding your career decisions.

Embrace opportunities to explore the various disciplines within data e.g. reporting, data engineering, data modelling, data science. Early understanding of how these elements interconnect will provide you with a solid foundation for your career further on.

And last but not least, find a mentor whose successes you admire and whose insights you respect. They do not necessarily need to be confined to the field of data, a mentor from a different background can offer you a broader perspective and support with the development of skills that are transferable to any role.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a Data Graduate at QBE. I studied Natural Sciences at university, majoring in physics, maths and chemistry. I was particularly interested in particle astrophysics; my research project was focused on understanding quantum superfluidity and conductivity effects in the core of neutron stars.  When I graduated, I worked in science communication, organising a science festival. I become interested in how we managed out data and some of the coding for the website. So decided to do a part time career changer course online in data science. As part of the course, they helped me apply to entry level data science jobs. This graduate scheme was the ideal next step to help me build on what I’d learnt. Out of work I am a keen sailor and enjoy racing keelboats at a national level.

Tell us about your role at QBE 

I am on the Data Graduate Scheme at QBE as a Data Science and Pricing Analyst. I build machine learning models to help understand what factors affect the risk we are insuring, to improve pricing models. I am also the co steer-co lead for QBE’s partnership with Women in Data and run a school outreach program, giving girls the opportunity to learn about tech careers.

How has QBE helped support your career development? 

The graduate scheme I am on at QBE includes a level 7 apprentice in Artificial Intelligence. During my time at QBE I have been completing the full process of developing an AI data science project end to end, which will form part of my apprenticeship assessment. As well as the study day we have every week to focus on our apprenticeship everyone in the team has upskilling morning every fortnight for learning new data skills. We have memberships to data camp and the opportunity to attend conferences. During our graduate scheme we have also taken part in several shorter courses which focus on a range of professional skills, such as communication, presenting and innovation. As part of the early careers community and wider learn@qbe program we can take shorter training courses or attend one off talks on a variety of topics relevant to our roles and industry.

What career advice would you give to other women starting in data?

Data is a rapidly evolving area, there are constantly new tools and techniques being developed. No matter where you are in your career you will need to keep leaning and be aware of the latest developments. Data skills are also very transferable, so many industries can benefit from implementing better data insights, so a career in data can lead you to many different places.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi, I’m Amelia and I work in the European Office at QBE as the Data Governance Manager in the Data Centre of Excellence. I’m originally from Australia and completed a Bachelor of Business Management, majoring in Business Information Systems at the University of Queensland.

In my spare time, I love baking, reading and travelling. During university, I had the opportunity to complete an overseas exchange semester at Queen’s University Smith School of Business in Ontario, Canada. Since moving to London, I’ve been taking full advantage of the proximity to Europe and have been doing plenty of travelling.

Tell us about your role at QBE

I joined QBE in May 2023 as a Data Governance Specialist, working on foundational Data Governance activities which included the development of a Data Management Policy and the implementation of Data Governance tooling. Since transitioning to the role of Data Governance Manager, my responsibilities have expanded, and my team and I are responsible for supporting the organisation in its Data Governance journey. Our goal is to ensure that the right people, processes, and technology are in place to understand and build trust in our data through governance. My day-to-day activities vary, and I spend a lot of my time collaborating with business units, risk management and colleagues in data and technology teams.

How has QBE helped support your career development?

QBE has supported my career development through structured learning and development and mentorship. We have a great leadership training program which has enhanced my leadership skills since moving into the manager role. I’ve received guidance and support from experienced colleagues across different areas. Opportunities for new responsibilities have allowed me to take on new challenges, but I am never without support and guidance. QBE fosters a culture of open communication about career development through regular check-ins and actively looking for opportunities for development.

What career advice would you give to other women starting in data?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem ‘silly’. There will always be something new to learn, and admitting when you don’t understand something is a crucial part of the learning process.

Embrace opportunities to explore different pathways. You might discover interests and strengths you hadn’t considered before, which can be beneficial for your career.