Upon completion of my MSc in Earth Observation & Geoinformation Management in 2015, I began my career at Earth-i, a British early-stage Earth Observation (EO) startup, working in the downstream analytics domain while also distributing very-high resolution (VHR) optical satellite data. As a fresh graduate in a small company, I had the opportunity to take on various roles beyond my job scope. This experience allowed me to actively apply my newly acquired skills and learn on the job. To my pleasant surprise, I was also later informed that we were going to launch a satellite!

Having been captivated by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) during my MSc, I eagerly joined ICEYE when the opportunity arose. I supported commercial activities whilst also leveraging on my technical background to help craft and respond to technical proposals. My time there was eye-opening and gave me incredible insights into the engineering, operations, and commercial activities of a company where everything was done in-house, from spacecraft design and build to data and solutions sales.

Ever the geospatial enthusiast at heart, I returned to data analytics with a move to Orbital Insight. There, I engaged customers by creating quick proof-of-concepts leveraging all forms of geospatial data, including AIS (ships), ABS-D (aircraft), and mobile phone geolocation data, in addition to VHR satellite data. These projects helped paint a picture of the ‘pattern of life’ for locations of interest, enabling informed decision-making for our customers.

In my current role as Solutions Engineer at SatVu, I work closely with customers, partners and resellers to understand their use cases and how high-resolution mid-wave infrared imagery can help understand activity alongside other types of data. Working at SatVu, a small company, allows me to collaborate closely with colleagues in the Engineering and Product teams to relay customer feedback and drive product improvements. Engaging users, collaborating and striving to make our data and technology accessible is core to what I do.

It’s been quite the journey so far, with a mix of successes (i.e. contract wins!) and failures (i.e. satellite malfunctions…), but the MSc programme laid a solid foundation for which to build my career and it has helped open doors and land opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have had. Space can be hard, but the challenge and rewards are absolutely worthwhile.

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Learn more about our MSc in Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management

Our MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management will help you lead your own future in Earth Observation by exposing you to latest research and industrial innovation, and helping you develop skills to tackle global challenges.

You will do this by combining satellite data, technology and science to find new solutions to the World’s biggest challenges.

MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management

My Post-MSc Journey in Earth Observation / School of GeoSciences Student Blog by School of GeoSciences Marketing & Recruitment Team is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0

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