Lewis McLean

Software Engineer, Dell SecureWorks

Lewis, who studied Computer Science in the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, now works as a Software Engineer at Dell SecureWorks.

What did you like most about studying at Heriot-Watt?

Encouragement and help was key, not from just the faculty but from all facets of the University including the Careers Service and the Student Service Centre. The teaching staff and postgraduate research students were always keen to discuss ideas and problems. This really helped nurture my interest in Computer Science outside of the curriculum. The academic staff were superb in both mentoring me and fostering my interest in Computer Science. Having a learning disability I also had extra support where necessary to excel. I cannot think of a single thing that would have improved my experience at Heriot-Watt.

What are your hopes for your career? How will the knowledge and techniques you learned at Heriot-Watt help you achieve your goals?

I'm currently working in Dell SecureWorks as a Software Engineer developing statistical learning algorithms to look for malicious network activity. This is my dream job. The work I completed for my final year dissertation enabled me to explore this domain, with guidance from a leading expert within the department. Learning and studying is key to obtaining a degree, but the ability to learn and self-study are skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Did you participate in an internship during your studies?

I completed internships in my second and third years with local Edinburgh companies. This really helped bridge the divide between theory and practice, especially with software development. I completed a scholarship with Google after second year; this was a fascinating insight into one of the world's leading technology companies.