Eliza Casey
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Habitus Insight
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
In the year following my graduation, I worked as a researcher for Habitus Insight, a company of ethnographers and filmmakers who provide social and cultural insights and research. I worked on two major projects, the first focusing on exclusion within financial services, and the second on the emerging idea of social agriculture. We worked on two qualitative reports and films which have now been published. I am now studying an MPhil in Film and Screen Studies at the University of Cambridge.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
Throughout my undergraduate degree I developed a variety of research skills, and I enjoy applying these to real world issues. Qualitative research allows me to engage with the world around me, whilst putting into practice everything I learnt at Exeter.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was a member of Geography Society.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
My biggest highlight was attending field courses, in particular the Isles of Scilly field trip, where I worked with my peers to produce meaningful research, alongside getting to know each other and our tutors!
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
I enjoyed the community aspect, with small class sizes that meant everyone knew each other well. It allowed communication and collaboration between everyone in our year group and the department as a whole.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
I thought the integrated BA/BSc approach was unique and provided a broad start point for my degree, allowing me to specialise later on in my second and third years.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
The most useful skills have been critical thinking and writing skills. I learnt how to insert my thoughts into wider academic research, and communicate my ideas in exciting and thoughtful ways.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Believe in your ideas even if other people don’t understand them!
What are your plans for the future?
Following my MPhil, I hope to go onto further study, potentially a PhD in Cultural Geography or Film. I then hope to further my career in research.
