The University as a whole allowed me to encounter so many different people and experiences which gave me the confidence and skills to move to a new place and start a new job!

I have never really been set on what I wanted to do as a future career path but while studying GSD I became interested in Urban Planning. During my final year I applied for the LGA Pathways to Planning scheme as it seemed like a good opportunity to get into planning. The process for the scheme was around 9 months in total, so I was also trying to apply to many other job opportunities, still not exactly sure what I wanted to do. I was offered my job with Solihull Council in July and opted to have the summer off before starting my new role, allowing me to enjoy graduating and get prepared to relocate and start work. I’ve now started working at the council, alongside studying for my MSc in Urban and Regional Planning. When I finished the course, I really had no idea that I would be working full-time for a council and studying an MSc just a few months later. Now my role involves tasks such as helping write local policy, putting together evidence bases and organising public consultations. 

My time at university prepared me for my current role in many ways. GSD gave me an interdisciplinary understanding of issues, many of which directly relate to planning, and I have found the range of knowledge very useful in a career in planning as it is so broad. There was also a lot of group work throughout my degree, which helped me become more confident communicating ideas and working with different people and perspectives. Planning as a profession is often quite subjective so having this ability to be able to discuss and understand different viewpoints is integral. The University as a whole allowed me to encounter so many different people and experiences which gave me the confidence and skills to move to a new place and start a new job seamlessly. 

There were so many opportunities available to me while at Sheffield, both academic and not. I joined a volunteering group in final year which involved taking care of green spaces in Broomhall. 

Robyn

GSD Alumni

Additionally, I took part in a Net zero hackathon-style event, with a few others from the course. At the time I didn’t realise how useful this would be when it came to applying to jobs. The event was just a few days where I was at a loose end, but it became such a great experience to refer to in job interviews. As well as securing jobs, these kinds of opportunities have given me skills such as teamwork that I use every day in my new job. 

I think Sheffield is such a friendly environment, I particularly enjoyed GSD as the slightly smaller cohort it meant we all knew each other and immediately had familiar faces around the uni. The field trips were a highlight for me as we got to spend time all together and really get to know each other. The course was a very positive experience as a result and it really felt like we were all in it together, as well as getting more familiar with academic staff which allowed a strong support network when it came to assignments. I made some of my closest friends on the course and this made my experience at Sheffield so enjoyable and feel like home. 

My advice to someone pursuing a similar path to me would be to take as many opportunities as possible to gain experience and develop skills, but don’t rush into something you won’t enjoy. I didn’t know what I wanted to do until very late in final year, which was daunting but by getting as much experience as possible it helped me to figure this out and then be more focused on applying to the jobs I really wanted and knew I would enjoy.