Georgina Keenan

• Year of graduation: 2023
• Current job title: Planning Consultant
• Current employer: Hume Planning Consultancy Ltd
• Industry sector: Planning Consultancy

I enjoy geography and learning about changes in society and the natural landscape. I chose the University of Northampton because it gave a great specification of different modules for both physical and human geography, and this can be tailored to your own interests in the second and third years. I felt I would be able to develop my skills to help support a career associated with the degree, which is most important.

I really enjoyed that I was able to give feedback to my lecturers about further aspects I was interested in which then formed part of future lectures – this catered to everyone’s interest. The variety of assignments and ability to adapt these throughout the course to each necessary skill allowed for an early understanding of the demands of a career, and I also really liked being able to have free creativity with my dissertation, but still with support.

The course set me up to understand my interests within the topic in more depth. Understanding the physical and human constraints associated with new planning developments was explored throughout the course and this is now an important factor in my role as a planner. Also, the ability to write reports, letters and emails to technical consultants and officers was reinforced by the assignments which were set, which has created a foundation for me to progress further in writing and liaising within my job. The increased confidence I’ve gained in my knowledge and understanding of different topics has helped within my career too, as well as being able to communicate easily with others who have different perspectives, and working as a team to overcome issues which may arise.

I’ve now started my career as a graduate planner and will then progress to senior planner once I’ve completed a master’s and a chartership. These are my plans to gain more responsibility within my role.

Whilst I was studying, I joined the Trampolining Society. This allowed me to engage with other students with a similar interest in sport, but who were studying completely different courses, helping to improve my communication and teamwork skills, which are important for any career.

The advice I’d give to undergraduates interested in this career path would be to look for some work experience in the industry – it will help you to gain entry as it’s difficult to get into this field without it.

My experience at the University of Northampton was unique and challenging, but extremely rewarding once I’d finished.