Student Profile
Joseph Kimberley
BA Economics with Transport Studies
Graduated in 2009
Dissertation topic: Will the emergence of a UK hydrogen fuel cell market effect a 50% energy shift away from oil by 2050?
Now works as a Data Analyst at Amey
Why did you decide to study at Leeds?
I had heard from a few people that there was a real buzz to the university and speculative enquiry fed my interest in the location.
What is it about transport that interests you and motivated you to study it?
Although it’s often understated and played down, it’s vital for the functioning of a country. Also, it made an interesting contrast to the less vocational study of Economics. Initially I was on just an Economics degree but several of my economics modules had a transport element, I found these to be the most interesting and so I decided to do a part transfer to Economics with transport studies.
How do the two areas of you degree (economics and transport) relate to each other? And how were they brought together in lectures and seminars?
There was a fairly large degree of overlap even though my lectures’ motives were independent, however, I found that economic techniques and tools flowed over into my transport studies more frequently than the vice versa.
How would you describe the experience of being an undergraduate at Leeds?
Fulfilling and educational, not solely from the knowledge I gained from lectures but also from the people I met, the professors I discussed topics with and from putting myself in a situation where the primary purpose was learning.
How did you find living and socialising in Leeds?
Easier than expected, everything just came to me and the only real way to pick it all up is to learn by doing.
How has your degree helped you?
It has given me a set of skills for problem solving, a thirst for finding the correct answer and the ability to work alone on work projects with personal accountability.
What do you do now and what are the challenges and rewards of your current job?
I’m a data analyst working with the business improvement facility for a transport contractor.
Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about studying for a transport-related degree at Leeds?
In the words of Nike, “Just do it.”
