A conversation with former student Michael Osuntuyi

Michael started as an international student at Fontys ICT in February 2019. He deliberately chose the AI Engineering specialisation. His interest in artificial intelligence was sparked in part by technology depicted in films, particularly JARVIS from Iron Man.

“The whole idea of programming a machine that showed human intelligence was really cool to me. In addition, I thought about the real possibilities it could have in actually helping everyday people, so I thought, why not specialise in this.”

The idea of developing a system capable of demonstrating human-like intelligence and actually helping people appealed to him enormously. The combination of technology, innovation and practical impact was the deciding factor for him to specialise in Artificial Intelligence.

When he looks back on a moment that has stayed with him from his studies, he mentions the advice from his first software engineering lecturer: “Be Lazy”. This meant you should always seek the least complex solution, as long as it still adheres to software principles. This way of thinking taught him to work efficiently and in a structured manner. Michael also notes that during his studies, he learned to study independently and set up personal projects. He still uses those skills in his current work.

Getting started as a Data Engineer
After his graduation, Michael was keen to start working as an AI Engineer. As he did not yet have sufficient work experience at that stage, he decided to broaden his opportunities in the data field. This step led him to a traineeship via a secondment arrangement. From there, he was put forward for a job position at ABN AMRO and after an interview and a technical case study, he was able to start there. He now works at ABN AMRO as a Data Engineer.

In his job position, he enjoys collaborating with colleagues and solving complex problems. As he puts it: “Aside from my teammates who make my job very enjoyable, I really like the investigative nature that comes with my job.” According to him, the work isn’t just about writing code, but rather about analysing broader problems and finding solutions that make a real impact. At the same time, he also experiences the challenges of working within a large organisation. Decision-making can sometimes be slow due to the many layers and strict security processes, something he considers inevitable but often frustrating.

Growing within a challenging work environment
One project he is particularly proud of is the migration of the framework for ETL operations to a new system. Within this project, he played a key role in the team’s transition to the new framework. Michael found the combination of technical challenges and collaboration within the team particularly rewarding.

Since completing his studies, he has also noticed significant personal growth. For instance, he has learnt to better express his opinions and to guard his boundaries, even in conversations with more experienced colleagues. What has surprised him most about his current working environment is how little age ultimately matters within a team. Although he is one of the youngest colleagues, he finds the collaboration to be open and energetic, with everyone treating one another as equals.

Tips for current students
We also asked Michael for tips for current students. He particularly recommends that international students look into detavast companies or traineeships when searching for work.

In his view, these agencies can be a good stepping stone into the job market and offer extra opportunities to gain experience.

“Be prepared to say no and state your opinion a lot, because it could be the difference between you being overworked and having a good work-life balance.”

According to Michael, it is important to set your boundaries and not be afraid to speak your mind. He believes this can make the difference between becoming overworked or maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He also considers it important to keep in touch with fellow students. Once you start working full-time, it often becomes harder to make time for socialising. That is why he recommends actively maintaining the friendships you made during your student days.

Furthermore, he advises students to build up a portfolio or repository of personal projects. In his view, internship experience alone is not always sufficient in today’s job market. Personal projects allow you to demonstrate your skills and interests.

Finally, Michael points out that finding a job can be a long process. Students shouldn’t let this discourage them and should sometimes be prepared to adapt their approach or direction to the situation. He perhaps best sums up his own mindset at the end of the interview with a nod to anime: “Never giving up like Naruto and being ambitious like Naruto.”