Global Careers Calls

In this episode, Liz interviews Lilian, an AI expert with a background in language technologies and cognitive neuroscience. Lilian discusses her work at Vodafone, where she leads a team optimizing language technologies and transforming customer interactions. She shares insights on the importance of innovation, ethical AI, and the challenges of staying ahead in the competitive tech landscape. The conversation also delves into Lilian's advocacy for women in tech, her initiatives such as Greek Girls Code, and strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion in technology. Moreover, Lilian offers career advice for tech professionals at different stages, emphasizing lifelong learning, adaptability, and building a strong support network.Key points:[02:12] - Current Projects and Challenges[03:12] - Advocacy and Professional Activities[04:16] - Career Journey and Setbacks[06:21] - Future Ambitions and Industry Insights[09:48] - Diversity in Technology[17:49] - Skills for Success in Tech[20:20] - Advice for Different Career Stages

In this episode of the Global Careers Calls podcast's ninth season, our host Liz Wilkinson interviews Raj Kandathil, a data analyst originally from India now based in Berlin. Raj discusses his journey of balancing work at a ride-hailing company with pursuing a Master's degree in Data Science from the University of London. He shares insights on the importance of adapting to new skills in the tech industry, the impact of AI, and the significance of soft skills like persuasion and negotiation. Raj also reflects on his experiences working in diverse, multicultural environments and offers advice for both new and aspiring data scientists.Key points: [02:07] - Raj's Motivation and Challenges to pursue his studies[03:07] - A Day in the Life: Work and Study Balance[03:54] - Inside the Ride Hailing Industry[05:39] - The Role of a Product Data Analyst[08:11] - Soft Skills: Persuasion and Negotiation[12:45] - Diversity in the Tech Workplace[16:49] - The Impact of AI on Tech Careers[24:33] - Advice for Aspiring Data Scientists

In this episode of the Global Careers Calls podcast, our host Liz Wilkinson interviews Nina Graham, founder and director of a specialist consultancy firm. Nina shares her career journey from working in education to leading tech projects in the government sector and currently advising on technology maximization in higher education. She discusses the varied nature of consultancy work, challenges and opportunities for women in tech, and the evolving landscape of the technology industry. Nina emphasizes the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the need for diverse perspectives in the industry.Key points: [02:16] - The Role of a Specialist Consultant[03:29] - Challenges and Rewards in Technology[04:49] - Nina's Unconventional Career Path[07:56] - Future of the Technology Industry[11:38] - Diversity in Tech: Challenges and Opportunities[13:47] - Advice for Women in Tech[15:08] - Skills for Thriving in Tech[17:14] - Career Advice for Different Stages

This week Sophie Odgers-Roe interviewed Osama Malik, an attorney and political commentator based in Islamabad in Pakistan. Osama will explain us how hybrid working is permeating the law field notwithstanding the importance of face-to-face contact in certain areas of law. Osama will also share the latest trends in the legal landscape with the appearance of new phenomena such as the legalization of cannabis, blockchain and cryptocurrency.Key points:00:03 Introducing Osama Malik: A Diverse Legal Career02:20 The Impact of Remote Working in Law03:48 Pros and Cons of Remote and Hybrid Working05:36 Remote Working's Influence on Career Starters06:54 The Future of Law Firms: Hybrid and Remote Work08:24 Adaptability and Resilience in Law10:16 Advice for Aspiring Lawyers in the UAE11:53 Emerging Legal Trends: Crypto, Blockchain, and More

In this episode our Careers Consultant Sophie Odgers-Roe interviews Alex McGill, a private client legal executive from the UK.Alex illustrates us various aspects of the legal roles in the UK, including the differences between paralegals, legal executives, and solicitors, the training routes available, the implications of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), the growth of emerging roles in legal tech, and the importance of collaboration in the legal profession.Key points:01:16 - Exploring Emerging Roles in Law02:00 - Exploring Legal Roles: Paralegals, Legal Executives, and Solicitors03:23 - The Journey and Challenges of Becoming a Legal Executive05:50 - The Impact of the SQE on Legal Qualifications08:33 - The Accessibility and Awareness of the Legal Executive Pathway10:37 - Embracing Technology and Innovation in Legal Roles12:54 - The Importance of Collaboration in Legal Work16:07- Advice for Aspiring Legal Executives

In today’s episode Sophie will interview Tina Fernandez, a Technology lawyer based in London. She will retrace her career journey into the legal field from her first LLB with the University of London as a remote student in Malaysia to the launch of her own firm as Orbital Law, a legal consultancy specialised in information technology law, data privacy and cyber security. Tina will also describe us the new threat to cyber security and data privacy and how an understanding of the commercial side of the business has given her a unique insight (such as scamming emails, the introduction of artificial intelligence, remote working).Key points:[01:08] - Meet Tina Fernandes: A Journey from Malaysia to Cybersecurity Law[02:49] - The Genesis of Orbital Law: Specializing in IT Law and Cybersecurity[03:30] - Empowering SMEs with Legal Expertise in Technology[06:09] - Navigating Compliance and Data Privacy in Tech Law[08:09] - Exploring the Frontiers of Cybersecurity Trends[13:53] - The British Airways Hack: A Case Study in Cybersecurity Breach[15:49] - Commercial Awareness and the Future of Legal Practice[23:22] - The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Its Impact[26:35] - Adaptability and Resilience: Skills for the Future Lawyer

In this episode Sophie Odgers-Roe will be in conversation with Abhivardhan, a Technology Law specialist based in India. Our speaker will illustrate us the main concerns of AI globally in privacy and data protection, the use of AI judges in certain countries judicial system and the overall impact of technology in the legal profession.Key points:[00:55] Introduction of Abhirvardhan[02:14] Abhivardhan's background and Journey into Technology Law[04:05] Privacy, Consent, and AI in the Legal Sector[06:53] AI Judges and the Future of Judicial Systems[09:50] The Evolution of Legal Tech and AI in the Chinese Law[13:21] Digital Skills for the Modern Lawyer[18:14] Emerging Roles and Opportunities in Legal Tech[21:57] Progress in your Career in Legal Tech and AI[26:41] Final ThoughtsResources mentioned in the podcast:TipsyTom - AI powered legal assistant that prepares first drafts of legal documentsArtificial Intelligence Ethics and International Law - Book written by AbhivardhanThe Need to Reinvent India’s Regulatory Capacity & Intelligence for Artificial Intelligence - article of Abhivardhan featured in the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Journal

This week we are looking at a very unique career change with our speaker Zoe Bowers. Zoe is the founder of Bowers English Communication, an English school based in Basel, Switzerland where she lives. Zoe will tell us how she reinvented herself as an English teacher. She will share with us the joys and difficulties of being a teacher, how she bridges cultural differences and how decisive setbacks in her career path happened to become incredible opportunities of growth and change.Key points:[01:46] – Zoe Bowers presentation[02:22]- Working and cultural environment in Basel, Switzerland[03:10] - How do you adapt to such a variety of students of different nationalities?[04:11] – How have you shifted to your current role as English teacher and specialist?[07:19] – Why did you embark on a BA in English literature despite working in finance at that time?[09:02] – Which skills you gained from studying this degree course?[09:58] – The value of the Humanities[12:40]- Zoe’s experience working in many international context around the world[14:46] – How did you adapt to the demanding and hight pressure working culture of USA?[17:16] – Advice for balancing work, life and study time[19:10] – How did you start to think about changing career from finance to teaching?[22:11] – What are the fundamental skills to work in the teaching sector?[26:58] – What is the most surprising and unexpected aspect of the teaching profession?[30:35] – Did you have a career plan Zoe?[33:14] – Have you faced any setbacks in your career?[38:19] – The importance of remembering personal achievements and success[41:30] - How the technologies and digital software are changing the language learning field ?[44:07] – Advice for students considering a career as language teacher[46:38] – Growth in demand of linguistic services (language softening, proofreading, translation ect.)[50:38] – Advice for professionals in different stages of their career ( careers starters, developers and changers)?[53:02] – Zoe is a UoL Alumni ambassador. What kind of support do you provide to students as such?