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This role involves handling, manipulating and analysing the vast amounts of data being recorded in KaarbonTech’s asset management systems to provide digital insights for their 50 local authority customers. This allows me to develop advanced Excel skills and how to write large professional reports. I have also undertook several long-term GIS-related projects, examples of which can be seen in the portfolio tab above. These projects involved utilising data from disparate sources such as Ordnance Survey, ONS, the Environment Agency, gov.uk and Defra; as well as the use of advanced GIS techniques using a range of software. Several projects involved the creation of data-informed risk models to drive decisions on allocation of resources, as well as other projects involving the use of open-source Lidar data. Finally, I have represented the company at several in-person conferences, allowing further development of my client-facing skills.
Over Christmas I worked for a pharmaceutical company packaging Covid tests among other items, which helped develop a keen eye for detail to ensure the accuracy of my work.
This role encompassed bartending, waiting on tables and working as a host, requiring excellent interpersonal skills, as well as dealing with many difficult or unreasonable customers in a calm and professional manner. The ever-evolving COVID guidelines in place at the time helped me constantly adapt to new challenges and learn how best to communicate these new rules to customers.
I completed this graduate scheme at Cadcorp, a company specialising in GIS-based computer software. It involved working in several different departments within the company over two years, requiring versatility on my part to integrate with each. I began in the QA team in which I tested and fixed bugs within the company’s products, responsibilities that demanded both technical knowledge of the product and a keen eye for detail. I then moved to the Technical Services team, in which I provided support for customers using our software, as well as being involved in project work and on-site software upgrades. This required strong customer-facing skills, which were then further developed in my final role within the Pre-Sales team. There I was tasked with demonstrating the company's products to customers and presenting at company conferences, requiring excellent presentation abilities and interpersonal skills. I was offered a permanent role but chose to travel instead.
My responsibilities included general shop floor work as well as assisting customers and other staff members. I helped cover for staff in several different areas of the shop so was required to quickly develop knowledge about many different products. Working in a customer-facing role helped me develop communication skills with people of all ages and backgrounds.
My duties included kitchen maintenance, basic food preparation and assisting the chefs which taught me teamwork within a high-pressure environment, following orders from superiors and effectively and assuming responsibility when closing the kitchen alone.
Modules I have studied include GIS & Environment, Web-Based GIS and Quantitative & Spatial Methods, as well as modules relating to developing advanced programming skills for GIS. Furthermore, I completed my dissertation, entitled ‘Understanding a burglar’s target selection process through the adaptation of an agent-based burglary model using recent qualitative research’, for which I got a mark of 85%.
The course gave me a valuable set of skills with a focus on GIS techniques using ArcGIS. The modules I took covered a wide range of both technical applications and theoretical concepts, applying GIS to both physical and human problems.
Over the course of my degree, I took modules in various fields such as Mobile Systems Development, System & Network Security and Web Technologies. I also spent a year writing my dissertation, entitled ‘Combatting the de-skilling of modern drivers through the development of an implicit in-car navigation system’, for which I got a mark of 78%.
The course helped me develop key skills including time management, logical thinking and problem-solving. Through my Stage 2 Team Project module I gained experience working as part of a software development team to meet real life deadlines.
General Studies (A*) ICT (A) Chemistry (B) Geography (B)
To complete the qualification, I had to gain real stewarding experience at a football match which taught me how to deal with the public, remain calm under pressure and work closely within a team of stewards to reach our targets.
Graeme Forward
Digital Insights & Performance Manager
KaarbonTech
49 Lone Pine Drive, Ferndown
BH22 8LR
graeme.forward@kaarbontech.co.uk
07793017730
Dr Andrew Evans
Lecturer / Supervisor
School of Geography
University of Leeds, Leeds
LS2 9JT
0113 343 3342