On 17 August, the Danish Data Science Academy (DDSA) opened applications for mentees wishing to join the new season of the DDSA Mentoring Programme. A total of 44 mentors are available for the 2026/2027 programme.
One of them is Fernando Marina Urriola, a 24-year-old Data Engineer from Spain. Having participated in the programme as a mentee in the previous season, he gained valuable knowledge, insights and experience that inspired him to return as a mentor.
His motivation reflects a common theme among DDSA mentors: a desire to give back to Denmark’s data science community and support the next generation of talent.
“I’ve been looking forward to becoming a mentor,” says Fernando. “My experience as a mentee was extremely valuable, and I was fortunate to be matched with a fantastic mentor, Nicholas Clark, who is still a DDSA mentor today. We met regularly, both online and in person, including during the six months I spent on exchange in Hong Kong. We discussed career paths, data science topics and professional development, and those conversations helped me immensely.”
Fernando highlights one piece of advice from Nicholas that has stayed with him. Nicholas said that everyone needs to have a plan.
“He said to me that most people go through life without one. The plan needs to be rigid but flexible enough to change or pivot when necessary. And that’s exactly when we set to work on my personal plan for what to do both before and after my exchange in Hong Kong at HKUST,” Fernando recalls.
Copenhagen is full of opportunities
Born in Venezuela, Fernando moved with his parents to Murcia, Spain, at a young age. He quickly discovered a passion for mathematics and numbers, and his fascination only grew when he realised how mathematics could be applied to biology to better understand how the human body works.
“That’s why I chose to study Biomedical Engineering in Spain. I was excited by the idea of seeing how engineering can have a direct impact on people’s lives,” he says.
After completing his bachelor’s degree, Fernando decided to move to Denmark to pursue a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).
From the outset, he recognised that building a network would be crucial to making a success of life in a new country. When discussing his experiences of studying and working in Denmark, as well as his time in the DDSA Mentoring Programme, networking is a topic he returns to repeatedly. It is also one of the most important lessons he hopes to pass on to a future mentee.
“I want to help someone in a similar situation. Moving to a new country means building new connections and learning how to communicate in a different environment. In many ways, it’s about learning how to navigate and thrive in a new place.”
But it also requires initiative from the mentee, he emphasises:
“You have to put yourself out there, join communities and attend networking events. Copenhagen is full of opportunities, with something happening almost every day. I would recommend attending as many events and meetings as possible. Collaboration is very easy in Denmark because the culture is relatively non-hierarchical. Even simple things like arranging coffee chats with people in industry can open doors and create valuable connections,” says Fernando.
Ask for more time, ask for more meetings
How does Fernando plan to approach his role as a mentor, and what advice would he give to those joining the DDSA Mentoring Programme as mentees?
“I want to be open, approachable and available. At the same time, I expect my mentee to bring topics and questions that we can discuss together and explore ways to navigate. I also believe mentees should remember that mentors are often balancing careers and family commitments. That means mentees need to take the initiative when it comes to arranging meetings. The more time you spend with your mentor, the more you will learn. Don’t be afraid to ask for an extra meeting or additional guidance if you need it.”
Fernando has already encouraged many of his friends to apply to become DDSA mentees.
“It is nice to be a mentee. I learned so much,” he says with a smile.