From Classrooms to Business: My Path from University to NTT Data

By Raul Barba, NTTData alumnus and employee

Navigating the path between Academia and the Labor Market

In the final stretch of my last year of college, facing the last final exams and the beginning of my Final Degree Project, I was presented with an opportunity that would mark the beginning of a new stage in my life: the possibility of delving into the world of work hand in hand with NTT DATE. Until that moment, my career had been fundamentally academic, dedicated entirely to absorbing theoretical knowledge and putting it into practice. Thanks to Alarcos Research Group I also had the option to delve even deeper into the world of research, specifically in the area of ​​quantum computing, which undoubtedly had its impact on my way of understanding the present and future of computer engineering as we know it. However, at that moment, the idea of ​​taking the leap towards the practical application, in a real environment, of everything I had learned over the years was as exciting as it was intimidating.

I also had the option to delve even deeper into the world of research, specifically in the area of ​​quantum computing, which undoubtedly had its impact on my way of understanding the present and future of computer engineering as we know it.

This dilemma is, from the experience I have had and from what I have known, quite common in final year students, although it is no less important, since in some way it marks the future steps that you take in your development, both personal as professional. The possibility of joining an international team at NTT DATA was a challenge that would give me the opportunity to work and collaborate with professionals from diverse cultures and perspectives, with different backgrounds, but with a common objective: to make both the project and the equipment. Clearly, this step represented a significant challenge, but also the possibility of growing professionally and personally, by facing a unique and exciting challenge like the one that was presented to me at that moment.

The possibility of joining an international team at NTT DATA was a challenge that would give me the opportunity to work and collaborate with professionals from diverse cultures and perspectives, with different backgrounds, but with a common objective: to make both the project and the equipment

Is there an intersection between both worlds?

Contrary to what one might think, my joining NTT DATA did not mark the end of my educational career, but rather opened a new chapter of continuous learning and personal development. This transition did not mean simply leaving the years of study behind; instead, it represented a continuation of the education he had received at ESI. In this way, in my job I was able to apply everything I had learned during the degree, but I was also able to acquire new technical and non-technical knowledge that I use daily to this day. In fact, given that this possibility of combining my work with my university training was more than feasible during my last stage in the degree, when I finished the degree I started a master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, an area that promises to be the future of our society. and that I find most exciting.

This decision to continue educating myself while working allowed me not only to apply the knowledge acquired in the workplace in a practical way, but also to bring the experiences and challenges faced at work back to the classroom, let's say it was a perfect symbiosis, because to this day Today has allowed me to maximize the knowledge I acquire, but also its implementation, and it is something that I would like to convey in this opinion article, since there is an intersection (and in my opinion very beneficial) between academic training and job in private company.

There is an intersection (and in my opinion very beneficial) between academic training and the job in private companies.

Some personal conclusions

My career so far has allowed me to understand that entering the world of work constitutes an unparalleled opportunity to put into practice and expand the knowledge and skills acquired in the ESI. This training equips us to excel in an increasingly demanding and competitive labor market.

At first glance, the transition from academia to the professional environment might seem like a considerable leap; However, my experience has told me that both worlds share more than reasonable similarities. The technical foundations that we have mastered and the transversal skills such as communication and teamwork that we have developed and perfected since our years at the ESI, become essential foundations that are applied daily in a work environment for which, without a doubt, , we are prepared.

The technical foundations that we have mastered and the transversal skills such as communication and teamwork that we have developed and perfected since our years at the ESI, become essential foundations that are applied daily in a work environment for which, without a doubt, , we are prepared.