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Stella joined the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in 2022 with a maths degree and is now working as an analyst.

Stella applied to work at Dstl after hearing about us at an Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) conference. And she鈥檚 found her maths background to be key to her development here:

鈥淲hen you have a maths degree, it鈥檚 so broad what you can do. You have that logical, analytical way of thinking - that鈥檚 the benefit you bring.

鈥淵ou also bring in a fresh way of thinking, little things you learn at uni, like showing colleagues the benefit of plotting graphs R or Python over Excel, because once you know how to do it, it鈥檚 so much easier and looks so much better. You can bring a lot of value.鈥�

鈥淵ou can do anything at Dstl with maths. On my projects I鈥檓 doing a lot of analysis and using analytical thinking. My Operational Research project for the Department of Transport involves looking at security systems, using qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques to see how we can improve them. I have had the opportunity to develop my skills in modelling, data analysis and running workshops.

鈥淚 wanted to keep all my maths skills and techniques from university fresh so I support another project looking at Network Analysis and Graph Theory. So I do more maths! You can do anything you鈥檙e interested in really. I like to do different things and enjoy the variety.鈥�

Stella is also involved with the new starters network:

鈥淲hen I first started at Dstl it was quite hard relocating and starting again so I went to lots of events set up by STEPS, the new starter鈥檚 network. I鈥檝e now got a good network of people from my team and other areas too - and I鈥檓 the STEPS lead for my office!

鈥淲e are getting ready for the new graduates starting in September with group chats, coffee mornings, socials and resources and advice about the local area. They鈥檙e going to get a warm welcome.鈥�