Antonin Boissin
Why did you choose the course/LSE?
I chose to study Geography with Economics at LSE because of the reputation of the Geography and Environment department and the LSE in Economics and because I wanted to live in London. London provides you with the opportunity to go to an array of events. Moreover, when studying urban economics, London provides you with a very interesting case study of successful policies. Finally, LSE and the department is very international and I knew it would be very easy for me as a foreign student to feel integrated.
What has been the highlight of your LSE experience?
My highlight has been my involvement with the extracurricular activities offered within the department and the LSESU. The department is always keen to engage with the students and help with academic work as well as careers and social life. The students' union offers an array of different sports and gives you a chance to feel deeply part of the community.
How are you planning to use your degree for your future career?
I believe my degree is a great stepping stone for a career in consultancy or in urban policy. The regular careers events offered by the department have given me a real idea of how I could use my degree and what I want to do later in life.
Sum up your experience in three words:
Opportunity, challenge and independence
Ajay Shah
Why did you choose the course / LSE?
To be honest, when I was looking at universities I went through the league tables and saw that LSE was near the top overall, and at the top for Geography. Given that I had a keen interest in Geography, it made sense to apply. I chose to do Geography with Economics because I felt that this would be more varied and also diversify myself for the future. At the open day, everyone was really friendly and I enjoyed the ‘sample’ lecture that was given, this is the point that really cemented my desire to study at LSE.
What has been the highlight of your LSE experience?
I strongly believe that 90% of what you learn at university is outside of the classroom. Sure, you have your lectures, classes and readings; but you are also learning independence and seeing what university has to offer. For me, this was the Hindu Society - being on committee for 2 years and President for one of those has definitely been my highlight, as it has given me a platform to meet new people, learn new skills and organise events I never thought I would have been capable of organising before university.
How are you planning to use your degree for your future career?
I plan to go into Technology Consulting and have a job lined up with Deloitte Digital. I think Geography has expanded my skills in reading analytically and concisely as well as writing. I believe that my knowledge of the world has improved as a result of the extremely varied course and readings on offer at LSE, and I hope that this will prove useful in dealing with different consulting projects at Deloitte.
Sum up your experience in 3 words:
Independence, decisions, opportunity
Pearl Yip
Why did you choose the course/LSE?
I chose BSc Geography with Economics as I wanted a well-balanced education comprising both quantitative and qualitative rigour. LSE boasts a top-notch Geography & Environment department, and our Economics professors need no further introduction. I wanted to study under the very best, and being in London I could be at the heart of issues confronting the country and even the global economy.
What has been the highlight of your LSE experience?
The diversity of perspectives in my classroom. Geography is the study of issues across time and space, and the opportunity to interact with peers from all over the world lent every discussion a special touch that no textbook could parallel. For example, in studying regional theory patterns, the topic of BREXIT inevitably arose and I was able to hear first-hand perspectives from both UK and EU students.
How are you planning to use your degree for your future career?
My degree has developed in me an ability to understand nuances, a flair for writing and an analytical eye to decompose quantitative problems. As I am on a Singapore government scholarship, I will be a civil servant, and while I may not remember every theory or every equation I have learnt, the soft skills (in dissecting and solving problems) I have gained will serve me well in my career (or anyone's career for that matter!).
Sum up your experience in 3 words:
Stimulating, enriching, satisfying
Geoffrey Hill
Why did you choose BSc Geography with Economics?
I’ve always had a natural interest with geography as a subject because I love the broad analysis and synthesis of an array of subject areas (maths, natural sciences, economics, anthropology, development studies, history etc.) in applying thought to how the world around us is constantly evolving, at present and over time.
I first did Economics at A Level and it really captivated me conceptually with all sorts of relevance to current affairs and interesting applications to our own lives. My degree choice therefore was based around wanting a combination of the two, with a slight preference for human geography over physical, and for me the degree as a whole provides the perfect combination of quantitative and qualitative rigor which I feel employers also value highly.
What was it about LSE that made you want to study here?
For me it was slightly easier than some because LSE was one of the few UK universities to actually teach the degree I wanted to do!
The fact that LSE is in the heart of London provided endless opportunities, even with the fact that I’ve grown up in North London all my life, and when you have those opportunities to share with one of the most diverse sets of students in the UK – you know that the experience is going to be unique.
Let's not forget that LSE is a globally recognized university, with innovative research at the forefront of classroom teaching.
Was the programme challenging?
I would say that any university degree is challenging, and individuals have their own attributes over certain subjects, but I would say as long as you are prepared to work consistently and choose modules you genuinely find interesting, then the ‘difficulty’ can be reduced.
The quantitative and qualitative mix of the course requires you to harness both skillsets and from my experience, ensuring you thoroughly practice the quantitative skills is definitely recommended.
What were the academics like?
Everyone in the department is very open, friendly and willing to offer help. Individually students also get a personal tutor from the department, for extra support on any range of matters, not just academic. From a learning perspective, the majority of academics who teach you will be passionate, engaging, and at the forefront of their specific area.
What is your current job?
I joined the Graduate Analyst programme at BlackRock Investment Management specializing in Counterparty Credit Risk.
Has what you learnt on the BSc proven useful in the world of work?
First and foremost, university in my view moulds your way of thinking to be analytical, holistic and independent, regardless of the subject matter you study, which is vital for success in the workplace.
In terms of direct application, my job is aided in general by having learnt statistical and economic concepts, and specifically for example in studying the Global South when constructing our team’s view of the business entering or wishing to trade in a particular foreign market.
If you have one highlight of your time at LSE, what would it be?
Overall it has to be my entire first year, where I lived independently with Trafalgar Square on my doorstep and was lucky enough to live on a floor with some amazing friends from all corners of the globe. In terms of specific events, I think doing the Tough Guy Challenge was incredibly fun.
Do you have any advice for prospective students?
Make the most of your first year, it is the time to adjust to the study regime, create long lasting relationships and fully get involved with everything.
Join the SU and societies - and I mean you should try and join one as part of the committee that runs them, not just general membership. These will not only boost your social life, but they’re great fun.
Be interesting! - being the former President of the LSESU Food Appreciation Society always went down well with whoever I told!
Embrace the strong nature of career preparation among the students, even if you don't want to go into what they do or know what you want to do yourself. It will definitely put you at a strong advantage in terms of how you market yourself and how you filter down to specific industries/roles when you do come to apply for your chosen career path.
Finally, be organised and consistent with your work rate and avoid last-minute scrambles/cramming, which definitely makes studying more enjoyable and manageable; you are there to learn after all!