Career Advice
Graduates
Skills Lab Team
18 December 2025
“As a graduate, I didn’t expect to have as much responsibility as I do, but I have embraced it with open arms!”
Jude Craig is an entry-level software engineer working on cutting-edge AI applications at a global financial institution. He shared his journey from university graduate to contributing to innovative RAG model projects, proving that the right training and opportunities can accelerate a career in ways you might not expect.
From games to code
His journey into technology began young. “When I was younger, I was always glued to a Nintendo DS or my Dad’s PlayStation, which led me into the idea of creating games,” he recalls. “As I grew up and was introduced to computing science in high school, I realised I wanted to be a software developer. Creating websites, backends, and being able to be at the forefront of the current progressions in technology is a fantastic aspect which I felt I had to be a part of.”
When he’s not coding, you might find him pursuing another creative passion, like playing in a band.
Discovering FDM
During his final year at the University of Strathclyde, where he first discovered his passion for software, Jude began his job search with determination. That’s when he found FDM.
“After looking over the company website and doing my own research independently, I realised it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss,” he explains. “The professional coaching and FDM’s approach to new technologies like AI was a big factor in why I wanted to join, as this would advance my own professional career and develop my skills in software engineering.”
He joined FDM’s Graduate Software Engineering Practice, ready to hone his skills and deepen his knowledge in the software engineering world. FDM’s software engineering consulting services provided him with the foundation he needed to thrive.
Building technical expertise
The programme proved transformative. “At FDM, I learned how to use the .NET frameworks, like C#, which I had only ever skimmed over in the past,” Jude shares. “With the language being similar to Java but having its own unique quirks, FDM showed me how to fully understand it with the concise learning programmes and clear coaching.”
He was also introduced to GitHub Copilot at FDM and learned how to prioritise the types of prompts to feed the AI agent, skills that would prove invaluable in his placement.
Making an impact from day one
As his first role as a graduate, Jude didn’t know what to expect. His day-to-day consists of a standard software development experience: starting with a daily stand-up, working through assigned tickets, conducting code reviews, and assisting peers when they encounter challenges during development.
But the responsibility level surprised him. “As a graduate, I didn’t expect to have as much responsibility as I do—but I have embraced it with open arms! Having a strong part of the current project that my team is working on and being someone who others can come to when they need assistance has really shown me how capable my own skills and strength are—something I wouldn’t have realised without having this current role.”
At the forefront of innovation
Currently, he’s working on a RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) model manipulation project at a global financial institution, transforming metadata into working code using GitHub Copilot. “This project is at the forefront of the current state of software development, incorporating AI and traditional computing to create a service for my current placement,” he explains.
The rapid progress fills him with pride. “As of right now, I am proud of the work I am contributing to my current team and project. We are working on a RAG model manipulation project, which I have contributed heavily to, along with my team. Seeing it develop at such a rapid rate and knowing I am helping it towards its final goal is a big accomplishment for me.”
The collaborative advantage
The work environment has exceeded his expectations. “Being at my current role and seeing firsthand how the work and environment can be is fully suited to the type of person I am,” he reflects. “There is a big collaborative aspect of the teams while still allowing you to independently shine from the work that you are given.”
With software development being an ever-growing sector and the current boom of AI, he feels it would be a waste not to delve deeper into it. His aspiration is clear: to stay in the field of software development and continue growing alongside the industry’s rapid evolution, contributing to the global software engineering talent pool.
Advice for aspiring developers
His message to other graduates considering a career in software engineering is simple: seize the opportunity. Whether you’re searching for how to find a software developer role or looking to break into the industry, the combination of structured training, real-world experience, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies like AI can accelerate your career in ways you might not expect.
From his first placement to contributing to innovative AI projects, Jude’s story proves that the right training programme can help graduates not just enter the tech industry, but make a meaningful impact from day one.
Interested in starting your career in technology? Learn more about FDM’s Practices and how we support diverse talent in launching successful careers in tech.
