Jacob
Walton

Why did you choose to study at NTU?

Choosing NTU was made very easy for me as soon as I saw Brackenhurst Campus, I knew that was the perfect place and campus I wanted to study at. Brackenhurst is the perfect rural campus and practical study and research location. Surrounded by countless fields, footpaths and several ponds, along with the working farm and the livestock it is the perfect countryside campus. The geography degree allows for a range of in class lectures as well as the opportunity for numerous field trips and practical sessions around campus, the UK and abroad to Tenerife. I learnt a huge range of topics and many practical skills I continue to use today!

What did you learn – both inside and outside of lectures?

NTU taught me to try new opportunities, meet new people and learn valuable skills. Geography covers a range of topics and allowed for the flexibility in targeting your interests into the assignments. This made the report writing far more interesting - finding myself researching beyond the lectures. My degree gave me a huge range of experiences from in class lectures to practical sessions around campus, learning how GPS systems work collecting data using a drone, along with soils and water tests. I found that GIS and mapping was one of my favourite topics. Managing and creating data to present on a map was challenging but rewarding and these skills provided me with the necessary experience to gain my current role. I also learnt that I had to take up every opportunity I was presented as it allowed me to further my studies and skills, obtaining a 2-week placement in Scotland and undertaking a research project with a hyperspectral camera.

Away from the classroom, university gave me the opportunity to explore a new area of the country, meet new people and try new activities. In my first year I lived on campus in NTU halls on Brackenhurst and I learnt how to look after myself and connect with new people, who I continued to live with for the rest of my degree.

What have you been up to since graduating?

After graduating from NTU, I obtained a 2-month contract working as a Research Assistant for one of the geography lecturers at Brackenhurst Campus. This role introduced me to a huge variety of software and research techniques, including working with GPS data and conducting and flying surveys with drones and UAVs. After that I gained my current role at the Mining Remediation Authority as a Data Improvement Officer. Where I use GIS and mapping skills developed at NTU to complete the project we have been set. After a year of employment I switched to part-time and now I am completing a Masters degree back at NTU and Brackenhurst. I am studying for a Master of Research in Applied Ecology and Geospatial Techniques over the next 2 years. Furthermore, I enrolled as an NTU GO Fellow, which provides me with the opportunity to support current and prospective students. This voluntary role connects me with others who have graduated from NTU and learn valuable industry skills with workshops throughout the year.

What does your current day involve?

My current day depends on the weekly commitment with studying and completing my role with the Mining Remediation Authority. With a university day I spend time studying and working with data in R coding software, looking at statistics for my assignment or making plans for my research project. On a workday I spend time in meeting with my colleagues updating on the organisations work and department milestones, along with data management on old mine locations and inspecting the information available and updating accordingly. I spend a lot of time looking at old OS plans and mine abandonment plans - these can be 200 years or older!

What attracted you to this field?

I have always enjoyed studying geography and have been fascinated with the how the natural environment works and its processes as well as the impact of climate change due to human activities. Since my time at school, I have always enjoyed the fieldtrips and getting data collected regardless of the weather, especially those rainy days in the Scottish Highlands on a peatland. I found that my decision to study geography was inspired by my GSCE and A-Level geography teacher who supported me and always made lessons interesting and engaging, making sure we had the time and resources to do the best we could and enjoy the subject.

What have been the highlights and biggest challenges of your career so far?

One of my biggest highlights would be obtaining my current role at the Mining Remediation Authority, as it was the first time I had interviewed for a job role and gone through the application process. As well I would say completing an undergraduate degree is also a highlight of mine as I went through a period of not knowing if university was right for me and now, I am focused on continuing into further education and undertaking a Masters degree and learning skills I wouldn’t have even known without it. I would say my biggest challenge of my career would be managing my time balancing work, studying and leisure, ensuring that I can perform my studies and my job to the best of my ability and planning meetings around both of my schedules.

What are your plans for the future?

In the short term, I am focusing on my Masters degree and completing that to the best of my ability and continuing to develop and establish skills within the Mining Remediation Authority. Beyond that I could see myself developing into either further education or within a position that allows for data collection and surveying applications using drones and remote sensing technologies.

If you had a time machine, what would you go back and tell yourself at NTU?

I would tell myself that university has so much more to offer outside of studying and that there are many opportunities to be explored either organised by NTU, the Student Union or the many societies that are available to try. I would also say to enjoy every moment you have during the course of your degree as it is a huge change moving away from home and is the stepping stone to the career you are looking to establish and be a part of.

Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share with our student and alumni community?

I would say that there are always opportunities out there many of which will come from the people you meet along the way. To students I would say that there are always a huge range of opportunities to be taken and explored at NTU and that if things become difficult there are always people who are there and will be willing to help, whether these are you friends, family, lecturers, tutor, NTU staff or Student Union staff, I have found they always find the time to listen and answer any questions you may have.