Profile
Chris French
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About Me:
I’m 29 and I live in Bristol. I’m a GIS Analyst for Mott MacDonald who are an engineering company. I’m a bit of a geography nerd! I love running and playing 5 a side football too.
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My pronouns are:
he/him
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My Work:
Being a GIS Analyst means I use spatial data a lot (data that has a location). I create maps that show data such as proposed railways or flood zones close to a possible housing development.
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Read more
- I work with engineers to model and create maps showing potential noise and vibration that a proposed railway might cause.
- I’ve used environmental data (such as locations of protected nature reserves and locations of important animal species) to show them on maps in relation to proposed development, as part of an environmental assessment.
- I’ve used GIS software to find the shortest route for a new underground pipe network to connect different buildings in and around Cardiff
- See the photos in my profile for a diagram explain how GIS works and an example map that can be made using GIS software to show population density in the UK (using census data)
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My Typical Day:
Wake up, get ready and have some breakfast. A 10 minute stroll to work for 9am.
I might have a video call with my colleagues (I’m in a team of 10 or so) to discuss which projects we’re working on for that week.
I’ll do some spatial data analysis and make some nice insightful maps that illustrate useful things.
I’ll have lunch with colleagues, we might go out to a cafe or market to buy lunch.
In the afternoon I might continue with some analysis or carry out some database management tasks, or working with data in tables, like Excel.
Then I’ll head home at 5:30pm
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would like to arrange a ‘GIS basics’ lesson in a school to teach students how to undertake some analysis and create some maps in some free GIS software.
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Education:
Ringwood School – An ordinary secondary school and sixth form
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Qualifications:
11 GSCE’s – A’s and B’s and 1 C
Maths, 2 English, 2 Science, French, Geography, PE, Product Design, RE…3 A-Levels and an AS – 2B’s and 1 C – Maths, Geology, Product Design, Economics
Plymouth University – BSc(Hons) Physical Geography & Geology
UCL – (MSc) Geographic Information Science
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Work History:
WSP (an engineering consultancy) – 6 years – Started as a graduate GIS Consultant
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Current Job:
Mott MacDonald (an engineering consultancy) – 4 months – GIS Consultant/Analyst
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Employer:
Mott MacDonald are a great engineering company, one of the largest employee owned companies in the world. They employ 16000 staff in the UK!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Analytical, social, team-player
What did you want to be after you left school?
A geologist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
For shouting in class or messing around!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Maybe a teacher!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Foals
What's your favourite food?
Chocolate cheesecake
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To have an unlimited number of wishes? Or is that cheating?! Maybe the ability to never get tired!
Tell us a joke.
Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!!
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