Abigail Wright
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Stantec
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Upon completing my undergraduate degree, I spent 4 months travelling Southeast Asia, which provided me with the opportunity to experience new cultures and take a break away from my studies and future career. Following my return, I joined a local Civil Engineering firm, where I worked as a Flood Risk and Drainage Consultant for 2 years. Eager to build on the GIS skills I learnt at university, I then moved to a global Civil Engineering consultancy, Stantec, where I am now continuing to develop my technical expertise as a Graduate GIS Analyst in the water department.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I started my career as a Graduate Flood Risk and Drainage Consultant, as the opportunity became available on LinkedIn when I was approached by a graduate recruitment consultant. The job opportunity was local to home, and being a small company, it felt like a welcoming environment to begin my career. I really enjoyed working for a company of this size, as I was communicating directly with clients and working on projects alongside my company director. It grew my professional and personal confidence significantly.
However, after 2 years of working here, I recognised that my long-term ambition was to specialise in GIS. Therefore, I decided to move to an international company, where I now work alongside a global network of GIS professionals, providing the perfect environment to help me progress in my career. I am particularly enjoying the variety and scope of the projects I am involved in, as well as the opportunity to continually learn new software and techniques, especially in areas involving data analysis, data presentation and automation.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
The reason I chose BSc Geography was due to the broad and diverse curriculum it provided, which allowed me to study everything from glaciers and coral reefs to tropical forest biomes. There was a wide range of exam styles throughout the programme and many opportunities to take part in site visits with fellow students, which kept the programme interesting and created a sense of community within the year group. My biggest highlight was my third year trip abroad, which was both academically and personally rewarding! Additionally, having completed all the necessary modules, I was able to graduate with a minor in Applied GIS, (having originally been on the BSc Geography pathway), which helped shape the direction of my career.
What did you most enjoy about studying here?
I found Exeter to be extremely welcoming. They have a plethora of activities and societies to get involved with outside of studies, and the support I received from staff and students throughout my degree was outstanding. It’s hard to choose a single highlight, but one of the most memorable experiences was taking part in a fundraising challenge in my final year, which included the opportunity to trek to the Lost City in Colombia. That, along with the amazing friendships I made, are what I treasure most from my time at Exeter.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
Exeter appealed to me for several reasons. Firstly, I was drawn to the size and layout of the campus, with an abundance of green spaces and within walking distance to the city centre. Being located in Devon was a massive bonus, providing plenty of opportunities to visit the coastal towns of Devon and Cornwall and the countryside of Dartmoor. Academically, the course I chose was highly accredited nationally and internationally, which set a precedent to the quality of work and research that was being undertaken at the university. I found the staff and students to be very welcoming, and ultimately it felt like it was a place I could call home!
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The practical skills I learnt within my Geography degree, particularly in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), have been invaluable in my professional work. My familiarity with various spatial analysis tools and software has provided a strong foundation for my current job.
As well as technical knowledge, the university aims to develop your transferable skills in many aspects, with a strong emphasis on communication, problem-solving and teamwork, helping to build confidence personally and professionally. This comes hand-in-hand with the opportunities you get involved with outside your degree. The leadership and communication skills I gained through being a challenge leader within the Raise & Give (RAG) society significantly improved as a result of this experience.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Having started within a job which wasn’t completely aligned with my future career goals, the main piece of advice I would give is to remain open to new opportunities. Even if you don’t get a job immediately after graduating, or work in a job that initially isn’t your dream role, you don’t know who you will meet or what you will learn in the process, which will be a stepping stone to achieving your long-term career goals. Every experience I learnt within my first role and the confidence it provided me has now allowed me to now work in a career that is more aligned with my ambitions. Every experience is a lesson, even if it is understanding what you want to pursue next.
What are your plans for the future?
Having recently transitioned into a new role, my immediate goal is to continue learning, growing and establishing myself within the company. In the future, I am interested in exploring opportunities which involve working abroad for an extended period of time.
