At Urban Science, we’re constantly seeking ways to propel the next generation of STEM leaders to succeed in the spirit of our Invent the Future value. Sometimes we do this by creating our own initiatives to give our industry’s future leaders the knowledge, skills, resources and mentorship they need to reach their full potential, and other times we team up with likeminded organizations to make an impact in the best ways possible; we’re pleased to highlight one of these collaborations here.

In 2023, our United Kingdom office had a unique opportunity to learn more about the benefits of data analytics bootcamps which offer intensive, short-term training programs to equip individuals, regardless of background or experience, with essential tech skills to succeed in today’s job market. When relocating to a more collaborative space to align with our company’s hybrid working arrangements, our Reading (UK) team moved next door to The Curious Academy, a bootcamp offering two 16-week courses in both data analytics and digital marketing. This occasion presented us with an exceptional opportunity to collaborate with an organization that shares our commitment to supporting future STEM leaders in their pursuit of critical knowledge and experience while establishing meaningful relationships with the next generation of talent proficient in the latest programming languages and technologies.

We leveraged this partnership to its fullest potential by supplying the newly established boot camp with real-world data scenarios for their students to tackle. In return, we gained invaluable insights and ideas from the students, enriched by their diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences, as well as their shared passion for data and science.

“As a company that taps the power of science to lead the automotive industry forward, it’s always a pleasure to meet young people who share our passion for STEM as they possess valuable skills needed to fuel a talent pipeline that’s prepared to hit the ground running and help us continue to deliver best-in-class expertise to our clients, said Paul Dillamore, managing director, Europe. “The Curious Academy’s students are well-taught, and time and time again demonstrate a personal commitment to mastering data analytics, underscoring their dedication to the field and aligning with our vision to create a world in which innovation is powered by science and inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit to invent a better future.”

Untraditional pathways to STEM careers 
We’re delighted to share that we’ve hired two bootcamp graduates as data analyst interns working out of our UK office. The first, Dan Windsor, was recently promoted from intern to analyst. In his current role, he analyzes and refines data within our FinancialView and MarketView solutions. By applying advanced analytical techniques and innovative strategies learned from the bootcamp, he enhances the efficiency and accuracy of our solutions, ensuring they deliver more actionable insights and better serve our clients’ needs.

“I’ve always had a fascination with numbers, but it was my brother’s repeated advice to explore data analytics that finally convinced me to make a career change after spending most of my career in copywriting,” said Dan. “The Curious Academy bootcamp not only gave me coding and data analytic expertise but helped me hone the soft skills and problem-solving mindset that are required to succeed in the data world.”

Another intern, Shay Lee, reflected on their experience at the bootcamp, saying, “as a history grad, you’re not often encouraged to pursue STEM careers, even though you may have the interest. I’m happy to have found a career – and internship – that suits my analytical personality so much better, allowing me to solve complex projects using a variety of data-driven methods across global teams.”

As a company, we’re committed to giving our next generation of leaders the knowledge, skills and support they need to thrive in STEM fields that are often harder to find – and navigate. In addition to hiring qualified candidates from nontraditional pathways, like the Curious Academy bootcamps, we’ve sharpened this focus by supporting non-profits that work to break down barriers to STEM careers for underrepresented talent. This includes visibility into the STEM fields through skills-based volunteering, after-school and summer programs like The Girls in Engineering Academy, and college scholarships via The National Society of Black Engineering, all of which aim to help young people stay engaged in STEM throughout their time in school. The UK office has also fostered this mission through career talk sessions with students who are on the verge of taking the next steps in their career, helping to inspire and guide them toward future opportunities in STEM.

We salute Paul and the UK Human Resources team and their efforts to create a more diverse pipeline of talent in their region and look forward to seeing our partnership with The Curious Academy flourish, potentially expanding the concept to other European offices.