KHPeople: Musa Ghafoor
Find out how King’s College London student Musa [pictured] landed a year placement in our Population Health team as a Data Analyst Intern.
What is your role at King’s Health Partners (KHP)?
I am currently a Data Analyst Intern at KHP, where I utilise my skills in computer science and data analysis. I work with healthcare data to uncover valuable information, which I present through visually appealing presentations. My role involves presenting this information to help assist decision-makers in making informed choices.
Explain the King’s College London undergraduate programme and its connection with KHP?
King's College London has a department, King's Careers & Employability, that keeps students informed by sending out weekly alerts about internships and placement opportunities. And the Global-Placements department is a valuable resource for students looking for placements, as they provide helpful tips and guidance for securing a placement. This is how I found the Data Analyst role at KHP. Overall, King’s College London provides a supportive network to help students launch their careers.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
As a Data Analyst Intern, I find great satisfaction in working with different types of data. My focus is on cleaning the data so that it can be processed, analysing it to find hidden insights or patterns, and then presenting the findings in a clear and compelling way. One project that I am particularly proud of is creating an infographic that showcases the current state of south east London compared to London as a whole. The challenge of working with data and finding ways to present it in a meaningful way is what I enjoy the most about my role.
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learnt during your time at KHP so far?
As a first-time data analyst and in the healthcare industry, my time at KHP has been an incredibly valuable learning experience. Not only have I honed my technical skills in data analysis and presentation, but I have also developed important soft skills such as effective communication, receiving feedback, and incorporating it into my work.
One of the most impactful lessons I've learned is the importance of clear and concise data visualisation in communicating findings and insights to a non-technical audience. Overall, my time at KHP has been a great opportunity for me to grow both professionally and personally.
What would be your top tip for KCL students looking to find work experience?
My top advice for KCL students looking for work experience would be to start early in their search for placements. This involves actively seeking out opportunities, exploring the options sent by King’s College London, and utilising resources such as King's Careers & Employability. Networking can also be a powerful tool in the job search process. Attend events, reach out to alumni, and build connections that can help further your career.
To gain an advantage over other applicants, consider taking advantage of free online courses and building a portfolio of projects to showcase your skills. What worked for me was taking a course in data science to gain the fundamentals and gradually building a portfolio of projects. Don't wait until the last minute to apply for placements, as opportunities may slip by.
I learned this lesson the hard way, but thankfully, I was proactive in applying to KHP and everything worked out well in the end. So, stay ahead of the game, seize opportunities when they arise, and never stop acquiring new knowledge and expanding your skillset.