Why did you choose the Q-Step programme as part of your degree?
I originally applied to study pure Geography but thought the Q-Step programme sounded interesting and decided to switch into it during my first week. I ended up really enjoying it, and found that the skills I learned enriched the Geography part of my degree as it gave me the tools to think more critically about the literature I was reading.
What was the highlight of the programme? What was the biggest challenge?
The highlight was definitely a methods module that I took in my final year, where we would learn a new type of experiment each week and then spend time looking at papers where it had been used. Another massive benefit, was spending lots of time with students form a variety of degrees. With UCL being such a big university, Q-Step was a great way to interact with people beyond the Geography Department.
How did your Q-Step experience influence your plans following graduation?
Data literacy is a hugely valuable skill in today’s job market, so Q-Step opened up a whole host of doors for me. Having a bit of stats and a programming language on my CV really broadened the scope of my job search. I now work in a small consultancy, called Anmut, that specialises in data-related projects. I get to use skills that I first learned in Q-Step on a daily basis, as my job involves a lot of R&D, data visualisation, and occasionally a bit of coding.
What's next for you?
I’m keen to spend most of my career in small companies, where there’s a large problem-solving component to my job. At the moment, by current job gives me all that, and I’m really enjoying the work I do, so I think I’ll be here for a while.