Minh Do- MSc Internet of Things

Can you give us a quick introduction: what's your name, what MSc programme did you study, and which company did you do your final project with? 

My name is Minh, and I was an MSc student in Internet of Things & Future Networks, overseen by Dr. Stefan Poslad & Dr. Eliane Bodanese in 2024/2025. The programme consisted of several IoT-related modules, including IoT Engineering, Mobile Services, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity.  

 My final project, which is about industrial cybersecurity, was done under the supervision of Jacobs Solutions Ltd., a consultancy in engineering, technical, and professional services. Jacobs is particularly known for working on the Elizabeth train line in London and the infrastructure for the 2012 Olympic Games in the UK. 

How did the opportunity to work with a company on your final project come about? 

The opportunity was advertised in the MSc Final Project workspace, in the Industrial Project section. It was mentioned by Stefan during one of our weekly meetings to discuss MSc projects. I then approached the representative of the company offering the project, and we had a discussion to determine the scope and the goal of the project based on my competencies. 

What was the most valuable thing you learned from working with a real organisation compared to a purely academic project? 

Doing an industrial project allowed me to broaden my knowledge of industries I previously had no knowledge of, both on a low-level and on a high-level basis. Having this additional knowledge would be beneficial in the future, as there is inevitably a lot of convergence between various tech fields.   

In particular, the field of industrial systems is rather niche and not often spoken about, yet it is one of the most essential industries for social infrastructure to support every aspect of human life. Some products that came from this industry are electrical grids, gas pipelines, and water control systems.  

How do you think doing an industry project sets you apart when applying for jobs or further opportunities? 

It allowed me to be more pragmatic by working on tasks that are adjacent to real-world challenges, especially when I was receiving guidance from professionals in the industry who could provide insights into trends in their industry, and explain how they would usually approach problems, e.g., using certain methodologies and tools.   

The aspect of academic research is actually not compromised in an industrial project at all. If anything, it elevates the quality of the project, as there is always a necessity for using academic research to support the arguments and evidence provided to fulfill the project.  

Additionally, it is always beneficial to have this experience on the CV, as it shows that you have been guided by the company and are capable of working within a professional setting, a skill that is always appreciated when you are job-seeking. There is also the aspect of networking, as you will get to interact with several professionals, who may then connect you with other professionals and consequently increase your exposure to the market.  

From my experience, gaining some experience in industrial cybersecurity allowed me to find certain job opportunities. As of now, I have just recently finished my freelance contract with Mercor as an AI Safety Reviewer, a highly responsible position that requires several cybersecurity purple-teaming skills, which I acquired from my experience working on the project. In a few days from the time of writing this testimonial, I will be interviewing with Amazon for a similar position. I am also currently working as an intern at V2D.ai, an AI startup that is developing a healthcare chatbot for medical professionals in Vietnam. This startup is endorsed by Dr. Minh Tran from the University of Oxford.  

If you had to sum up the experience in a couple of sentences for someone who's never heard of it, what would you say? 

An industrial project is a final project where you work on solutions to real-world problems with the guidance of industry professionals, who will help you equip yourself with trending skills & knowledges. Doing this type of project will be beneficial if your plan is to look for a job after your graduation, as it will give you work experience.