Student Spotlight - Akira Finisan
If you are looking for a successful career in the fast-moving computing industry, the BSc (Hons) Computing degree at UHI Perth is for you. You will learn all the knowledge and skills you need to work in this sector, as well as developing key personal and intellectual qualities necessary for continued professional development.
In this week’s blog, we chatted to a third year student ⬇️
Can you introduce yourself?
Akira Finisan and I'm a third year Computing student at UHI Perth.
What were you doing before the course, and why did you decide to do it?
When I finished high school, I wasn’t sure what to do but I always liked computers, so I thought maybe I could try it out in university. I decided to come here because I had already moved countries and I thought it would be the next best step.
How did it feel when you started at UHI Perth?
I was very excited actually. I took a two-year gap after high school because I was trying to decide what to do exactly. And when I finally started, I felt like I finally did the right thing. I was really excited to look into things that I really like and push it past more than just being a hobby.
What subjects have you enjoyed studying the most?
I have mostly enjoyed coding classes; learning programming languages like Python or C sharp; networking; information security classes; and cybersecurity.
How have you got on with your classmates on the course?
Really really well! I actually got the opportunity this year to meet another class, on top of my own class. The people are really great, they're all really open minded to talk about anything and everything. My class is made up of around 50 people, and we all have similar interests, so we have a lot of subjects to talk about and discuss and just have fun with - the class dynamic is great.
Have you found anything challenging whilst you have been here?
Some courses have been challenging. Challenges can kind of sneak up on you sometimes. I'm doing a general Computing pathway so I'm not necessarily looking forward to all of the assignments, or they might be topics that I’m not likely to work on in the future, but we have good support from peers and lecturers, so it keeps it interesting.
How have the lecturers supported you on the course?
Mostly by listening to what you have to say and what you don't understand, that's the main that matters to me, as previously I had a mixed experience with lecturers. At UHI Perth, I'm really happy to say that all of my lecturers are really understanding they’re really open to talk and I can reach out whenever I need something. If you don't understand something you can ask them and they’ll sit down with you to show you things in as much detail as you want.
Do you have any hobbies outside of the course?
I enjoy coding, but coding with art involved. I like gaming a lot and I'm also wanting to develop my own game so I'm trying to do all sides of it - the artwork for it and the coding behind it. Other than that, I like writing and drawing as well.
Do you think the course has prepared you for when you go into the industry?
It prepares you very well I'd say and the general pathway feels like the best choice. To me, it feels like it's preparing you very well for all of the different jobs in the field, because no job is going to be just focused on one thing. So having the opportunity to see things from various perspectives is a very good approach.
What are your plans after you finish the course?
I’m planning to do a Master’s in AI, and I’d like to combine it with Environmental Science - essentially AI in Environmental Science.
What advice would you give to someone if they're coming to university for the first time?
Stay curious would be the first thing, because that's what matters the most.
Try to not shy away from questions. I know a lot of people are shy, and not wanting to talk in class, but it really matters to communicate with the lecturers as they are here to help you.
