Technology giant IBM has given graduates from De Montfort University Leicester a dream start to their careers - offering them prime roles at the firm's new Leicester base.
The company is set to open a new £3 million centre in New Walk, just a short walk from DMU's campus, creating around 300 jobs over three years.
And among those who have won some of those new roles are several DMU graduates, drawn from the university's technology and business courses.
Saarah Ismail, who studied Computing; Natalia Rymsza, who completed a Business Administration, Management and Operations degree; Omear Saqib, who studied Computer Science ; and Information Communication Technology graduate Zakiya Mohmad have all started working at IBM's Client Innovation Centre (CIC), currently based at St George's House.
However, all four will make the move to the new multi-million pound centre when it completes later this year.
Zakiya, who works as a Graduate Test Specialist, said completing her degree had given her the skills she needed for the role.
She said: "I found the staff at DMU really helped me focus on what I was good at and in the third year really learned to manage myself and my work well."
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Omear, who, as a Support Specialist remotely helps IBM's clients solve problems they have with applications and IT systems, said he was really happy to be able to do what he loved for a living.
He said: "Even from when I first joined, the CIC has really expanded and I can't wait to move into the new building. It just feels like I could develop a really good career here."
Natalia came to DMU after years of practical experience, and completed her degree to part-time, while working, to help open up more career options.
She said: "I'm now managing a team of 10 on one of the CIC's largest accounts and it was the flexibility and support DMU offered which helped me manage the study with my work."
Saarah said she had discovered a 'natural talent' at IT before coming to DMU, and was excited to have won a job as a Project Analyst at IBM.
She said: "There was a great balance of practical and theory at DMU; I was able to make my own operating system in Visual Basic.
"Working here I have a real freedom to choose my own path. I started as a Project Analyst but I'm working towards a HR-based role now."
Bernard Szczech, Director and Chief Executive of the IBM Client Innovation Centre, said the graduates from DMU had brought a wide range of skills and experience to the company.
He said: "All of the DMU graduates we have hired have been very grounded and have fitted in very well here.
"It's clear that the skills and approach they have learned at DMU have equipped them well not only for their roles but the nature of working for a firm like IBM.
"They have made a clear contribution to the centre and some are already moving into positions of leadership."
Posted on Friday 27 May 2016