BSc Geography, Sheffield Hallam University
Graduate Modeller, RPS Group
My name is Danny, and I am a Graduate Wastewater Modeller at the RPS Group where I started my journey in September 2021. I graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a First-Class Honours degree in BSc Geography back in 2020 and I studied towards an MSc in GIS (2020-2021), again at Sheffield Hallam University, achieving a Distinction Grade.
I decided to study geography at university as it is the subject that I enjoyed the most at school and sixth form. Geography as a subject allows many aspects to be explored, most commonly split into human and physical geography. The degree I studied at Sheffield Hallam University allowed me to explore both of these aspects, enjoying physical, human and environmental science modules.
However, there were many barriers in the lead up to me studying geography at university. These include the following:
1)I am dyslexic. Geography is perceived as an “essay” writing subject, and I questioned myself as to whether this was the right degree for me. But once I started studying for my award, I found that there is a lot more to geography than the standard writing an essay. There are many opportunities to explore including getting involved with fieldwork opportunities, working on/using statical analysis and my most favourite, discovering the power of geographical information systems (AKA GIS).
2) I doubted my decision based on people’s opinions. Growing up in a close-knit British Asian community, there were a lot of friends and family who made me doubt my decision. Some common phrases I heard multiple times include “what you going to do with a geography degree?”, “you aren’t going to be able to get a proper job”, “you’ll regret it when you’re working stacking supermarket shelves once you’ve graduated”.
3) I’m brown. Yes, you read that right. I’m Asian and I’m brown skinned. Being one of a very little minority studying geography at all levels, be it GCSE, A-Level and even at undergraduate degree level is difficult. Not seeing people in role model positions who look like you feels somewhat weird, sometimes making you doubt whether you can progress to certain roles or not.
I’ve been through all of that and now I am in a job that I love in the water industry using GIS daily and learning new software packages to build hydraulic models, develop scenarios to mitigate the impact of flooding caused by wastewater and developing options for flood reduction in future years. I use many skills from my geography and GIS degrees, and these range from the normal “communication”, “confidence”, “organisation” style soft skills to the more technical skills of using GIS and statistical analysis.
I hope to see geography and geoscience subjects to become better understood at school level. I feel like because these topics are so broad people often don’t see the opportunities available at the other end. I also hope to see geography to become more of a diverse subject group and future generations having that opportunity to work with people who look like them and to have people to look up to in the world of industry and academia.
My advice to someone wanting to study geography at university would be to go for it! Don’t listen to what people have to say and believe in yourself and achieve your goals. Please feel free to get in touch with me via LinkedIn if you wish. I am happy to answer and questions or provide any guidance you may want.