Amber Humphries

My degree gave me a really strong foundation in understanding environmental systems, spatial analysis and how people interact with their environment, all of which has fed directly into my work at JBA. Learning GIS was particularly valuable, as it’s a skill I still use and build on today. My degree also helped me develop confidence in research, communication and problem solving, which are essential when working on flood resilience and engagement projects.

I loved how varied the course was. One week we would be learning about weather systems, and the next we would be out in the field collecting data. The field trip to Tenerife in third year was a real highlight, and it was great to put what we had learnt into practice. I also made some amazing friends on the course, two of whom are still my best friends today.

The Careers Team at Edge Hill were brilliant. When I spotted the job advert for JBA, I actually took it to them to get their advice on whether I would be a good fit and how to tailor my application. Their feedback and encouragement made a big difference and helped me feel confident when applying.

The three top skills I gained from my degree are:

• Spatial and data analysis – especially through learning GIS and interpreting environmental data.
• Communication – both written and verbal, through presentations, group projects and report writing.
• Applied environmental understanding – particularly through studying geomorphology, which gave me a solid grounding in how landscapes and river systems evolve. This knowledge is really useful in my current work on flood resilience and natural processes.

A JBA colleague (and Edge Hill alumni) came in to give a careers talk during my degree, and I remember leaving that session feeling really inspired. It helped me realise there were roles out there that combined my interests in the environment, people and communication, and that was exactly the direction I wanted to go

My days are really varied, which is one of the things I love most about my job. I split my time between JBA Consulting and JBA Trust, so one day I might be helping communities understand their flood risk or developing engagement materials for a resilience project, and the next I could be working on STEM outreach activities for schools. There is a great mix of teamwork, creativity and technical understanding, and it is really rewarding to see the positive social impact of what we do.

To anyone considering studying Geography at Edge Hill, I would say “Go for it!”. Geography is such a versatile degree and opens doors to so many different careers. Make the most of the opportunities Edge Hill offers, whether that is fieldwork, using GIS or getting involved in careers events. And do not be afraid to ask for advice or support; the staff are genuinely approachable and want to help you succeed.