Katie Daniels (Mott Macdonald)

Name: Katie Daniels

Subject: BSc Geography

Year Graduated: 2016

College: Furness

Where are you now and what are you doing?

I am a Graduate Transport Planner for a global engineering consultancy, based in the Royal Liver Building, Liverpool.

What would you like to do next?

I intend to continue working towards the Transport Planning Professional (TPP) qualification so I can gain chartered status.

Why did you choose to study at Lancaster?

The course had a really good structure, with a variety of different and interesting modules available to choose from. Additionally, the ‘Lancaster bubble’ – i.e. the friendly campus atmosphere was also very appealing to me.

What was your favourite part of your degree and why?

The variety of modules and knowledge gained, which was particularly useful when I was trying to find specific interesting areas for a potential future career path, which is often unclear during time spent at university for many students.

How do you think your time at Lancaster prepared you for what you’re currently doing?

Completing research based pieces of coursework along with a dissertation provided good practice for writing reports within tight deadlines, which aimed to highlight issues and present solutions/conclusions in a professional way. Additionally, the focus upon sustainable development, which ran across a number of different modules, highlighted important principles and values to carry forward into the planning and development industry. Finally, I believe that the careers services offered by the university really helped guide me through the application and interview process, helping to prepare me for formal employment.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Lancaster? (Including extra-curricular activities and beyond?)

I particularly enjoyed the third year field trip to Croatia, as it was fun as it was informative. However, the variation of modules and coursework, such as the combination of practical work, group work and a teaching placement (as part of the ‘Geography in Education’ module) really kept the course interesting. Furthermore, my involvement in the Lancaster University Dance Society was also fun; I particularly enjoyed choreographing the musical production and teaching the cast.