Faouzi Braza joined the Applied MSc in Data Engineering for AI programme in Spring 2020. Before joining DSTI, Faouzi was an Academic Researcher in Immunology. His daily work was to study the role of anti-inflammatory cells in diverse pathologies. While some parts of the work werepretty fundamental, he was introducedto many data-related topics in Health due to the technological burst in genomics, but also with the rise of new topics like personalised medicine.
You already were working full time on a Postdoctoral Research. What inspired you to pursue Data Engineering?
Indeed, the switch might sound a bit abrupt. The first reason was that a couple of times I faced a frustration when dealing with bioinformatics. A couple of my projects involved the use of genomics and single cell transcriptomics bioinformatic, which involves a lot of Data Science and Engineering skills. I really wanted to improve and learn this field that is why I decided at the end of my postdoc to start learning to code by myself.
What appealed to you about DSTI?
The off-campus (online) format was the most important aspect as I am living in Lisbon. I also wanted something short that covers the main topics of Data Engineering. My choice for the engineering part was motivated by the fact that the major challenges today are (i) the ability to deploy AI models and put them in production and (ii) develop Big Data infrastructures to store, maintain and analyse data.
Tell us more about your off-campus experience at DSTI. What is the best thing about studying online?
The off-campus experience was very smooth. When I started the Applied MSc in Data Engineering for AI programme, I was already learning by myself for one year. So, I was kind of used to work online, although self-paced. I must admit that DSTI makes everything possible to make you feel good and to provide a smooth experience. Both the Dean, Sebastien Corniglion, and the Director of Studies, Jennifer Hyslop, are always available and prompt to help. Let us not forget the incredible trio: Katia, Laurence and Jihane, with who I dealt with and demonstrate a great sense of professionalism and kindness and were always there to help, answer questions and follow my progression.
While you will obviously not have the opportunity to bond locally with your classmates, the projects that you need to produce in the frame of the Applied MSc are a unique opportunity to meet people.
What type of jobs are you looking for?
I really enjoyed the Software Engineering, SQL, Big Data and DevOps classes. I would love to find a position where I could learn and improve my skills in these areas. I have found an internship with one of DSTI’s industrial partners and hope to grow with them both as a worker and human being.
What did you find valuable about the programme?
A large breadth of topics, projects, the organisation of the school with all the materials needed to give classes even during the COVID-19 confinement. The fact that both professionals and experts in the field teach the classes.
Any tips for people that are applying to the programme?
DO PREPARE YOURSELF. I cannot emphasise this more. If you do not know how to code, then learn a bit before and be serious with the bootcamp and the personal resources given by DSTI after your admission. This will really help you during the 6-month courses to easily digest new knowledge. I did prepare myself one year before applying (programming, data structure and algorithms, mathematics). While the first trimester is not that heavy in term of workload, the second one is much more demanding. But hey, that is why we are here aren’t we?
