Sophie Allen BSc Geography, 2013

Catastrophe Modelling Analyst - Talbot Underwriting Ltd

Hi, I'm Sophie Allen and I studied BSc Geography within Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton.

The field trips have been amazing. We went to Tenerife in second year and I’ve got memories from that trip that I don’t think I’ll be able to top; it was brilliant.

What have you enjoyed about studying Geography here?
The field trips have been amazing. We went to Tenerife in second year and I’ve got memories from that trip that I don’t think I’ll be able to top; it was brilliant. It’s been hard work, but it’s all been worth it. I’m so glad I chose Geography over any other subject as you get such a broad range of skills that you don’t get with other subjects.

How have you found the support from academics and the pastoral team?
I couldn’t fault it really. I had a rough start with homesickness and I think if it hadn’t had been for the counselling service at University and people like Sally Hayward and Jane Hart in the Geography Department, I would have moved to a University nearer home. They made such a difference and I fell in love with Southampton really quickly afterwards.

What made you decide to study in Southampton?
I went on a lot of open days and this was the only place that I felt at home. I felt a bit out of my comfort zone everywhere else and I came here and walked around and it just felt familiar even though I’d never been there before. I had offers from Universities like Bristol and Durham and I just thought no, I feel comfortable in Southampton; I want to go to Southampton. This was my number one; I didn’t even put a second choice because I didn’t want to go anywhere else.

Have you done any interdisciplinary modules?
I did a Living with Environmental Change module which was a new module that had just been started up, and it was a cross-curricular module which I really enjoyed. I found it really interesting and it was good to mix with people from other subjects; it gave it more variety.

What are your plans for the future?
I’ve just been offered a place to undertake a Masters at UCL studying Geophysical Hazards, so hopefully I’ll graduate again from there and maybe carry on with more research. I never thought I’d be the type to study, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else. I thought I wasn’t cut out for University but, next step Masters, and then who knows?

Have you been involved in any clubs or societies?
I went on the ski trip which was fantastic, I was part of GeogSoc but apart from that I was quite involved with my studying. The Geography Socials were really good. They had a good society feel there so I didn’t really feel like I needed to get involved too much else.