Graduated with BSc Mathematics in 2017

Current role

PhD Researcher at the University of Exeter

What was your career path after graduating?

After graduating I stayed on in Bristol on the MSc Climate Change Science and Policy course. Following this, I started at the University of Exeter as a PhD researcher.

My current job role involves investigating and attempting to quantify the impact of changing climate variance on ecosystem resilience. I am trying to use satellite data to understand changes in the Sahel region in Africa, as well as the resilience of tropical rainforests.

What one piece of advice would you give our current students regarding employability?

Try to diversify your knowledge beyond your subject and look around outside the standard maths career paths. Having a mathematical background is highly valued by employers and in the academic community, and when you are competing against other mathematicians for a job, having a wide range of interests will always be helpful.

Why did you decide to apply for your course at Bristol?

I visited the university on an offer-holder day and really enjoyed the city. The best advice that I was given when picking a university was to enjoy the place that you were going to be living, as you would be there for three or four years.

What did you enjoy most about your time studying at the School of Mathematics?

In terms of the course, I enjoyed the flexibility when it came to choosing modules. This meant that I could learn about the maths that I found interesting and avoid the topics that I didn’t!

Do you have any advice or tips for prospective students looking to study Maths at Bristol?

There is a lot of pressure on students to always be having an amazing time at university, it’s frequently represented in the media as ‘the best time of your life’. However, I’d say it’s important to find a balance. It is important to know when to take a break from studying, when to get involved in activities outside of maths and most importantly, when to focus on yourself and your happiness.

Also, it is common for students starting out on a maths degree to think of it as a solitary activity. However, it is actually a collaborative process and working through problems with other people will definitely increase your mathematical abilities.