Success Story of Seyhmus Direk

In today’s digital age, the path to a fulfilling career can take many unexpected turns. For Seyhmus Direk, a former Naval Officer turned Data Analyst at UBS, this journey has been nothing short of transformative. His story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of continuous learning.

Data Analyst at UBS

November 2024

A Rich Academic and Professional Background
Seyhmus Direk has an impressive academic background, holding a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Academy in Turkey, a Masters Degree in Engineering of Underwater Acoustics from the Naval Postgraduate School in the US, and a Masters Degree in Communications Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey. Before moving to Switzerland, he worked at the Turkish Hydrographic and Oceanographic Office in Istanbul. His wife’s job offer from Novartis Global brought the family to Switzerland in 2018, a move driven by career advancement and better educational opportunities for their children.

Transitioning to Life in Switzerland
Seyhmus faced the challenge of adapting to a new country and job market. He spent his first time in Switzerland learning German and understanding the local job application process. Through a job coach, he discovered Powercoders, a non-profit organization that helps immigrants and asylum seekers integrate into the Swiss job market. Despite his initial reservations, he was impressed by their comprehensive approach that went beyond coding skills.

The Powercoders Experience
Upon joining Powercoders, Seyhmus was warmly welcomed and found the structure of the program to be both professional and supportive. The focus on soft skills and career preparation was particularly beneficial, providing him with a well-rounded foundation. He was pleasantly surprised by the detailed planning and support from industry volunteers, which contributed significantly to his growth.

«The day I entered the door of Powercoders I was welcomed very warmly; all employees are very professional and very supportive. I could feel that I was in the right place.», Seyhmus remembers.

From Internship to Full-Time Employment at UBS
Seyhmus’ transition from the Powercoders program to his internship at UBS was seamless. His extensive work experience and the training he received from Powercoders prepared him well for his role in the Sales Analytics and Campaign Execution team at UBS Marketing. His ability to quickly learn new tools and contribute to team projects was recognized and led to a full-time position.

As a Data Analyst at UBS, Seyhmus now makes significant contributions in strategic projects, where his Python and SQL skills, honed during the Powercoders program, are now of great importance for the success of these.

Work at UBS
Seyhmus’ colleagues at UBS describe him as reliable, detail-oriented and collaborative. He appreciates the team spirit and supportive work environment. His typical day involves working on campaigns, reporting, analysis and visualization, where precision is paramount.

The Role of Powercoders and UBS Partnership
The partnership between Powercoders and UBS has been instrumental in Seyhmus’ career development. Powercoders provided the technical and soft skills training needed to succeed, while UBS provided a platform to apply those skills in the real world. This collaboration serves as a model for other companies on how to effectively integrate and support immigrant talent.

«UBS is a company that really cares to support social and environmental projects. Until now I can see that both UBS and Powercoders are working together very well.», says Seyhmus.

Looking Ahead
Seyhmus is optimistic about his future at UBS. He has received positive feedback from his line manager, and has a promising career ahead of him. He continues to be inspired by the supportive colleagues he has met along the way, many of whom have played a crucial role in his professional journey. We at Powercoders are sure that he will continue his impressive journey and successful career in Switzerland.