Profile

Photo:

Lowri Thomas

    • About Me:

      Hello! I’m Lowri, and I work with data. I’m also a half Welsh, half English, animal-loving, travel-enthusiast, currently living in Bristol.

    • Read more

      I was born in a very rural area in Gloucestershire, South West England, so I have always been very close to nature and wildlife. I then also spent part of my childhood growing up in Malaysia and am privileged to have done lots of travelling with my family ever since. I believe this is why I have admired the natural world ever since I was a small child. Anyone who knows me, knows about my love for animals! Due to my admiration for wildlife and science, I always knew I would want to have a job that helped to save the planet some day. I always got good grades and worked hard at school, but I never thought I was ‘nerdy’ enough to have the job I do now. So something I’m now passionate about is talking about my job and education, and encouraging people into the world of STEM wherever I can.

      In my free time, I love seeing my friends. I also go to the gym or go for a run a few times a week. Whenever I can, I also like to visit my parents house, but mainly to see my childhood dog and cat! Some of my other interests include skiing and dance.

    • My pronouns are:

      she/her

    • My Work:

      I analyse (look at) data for an environmental and engineering company. We help people like farmers and other landowners make decisions by showing them their data in a more understandable format!

    • Read more

      My job as a data analyst is quite varied! There are a couple of tasks I do very regularly though.

      Firstly, I use an online programme to create maps of different habitats and data from farms. Secondly, I write code that will build a website. I then share that website with clients, such as farmers, and they can use it to help answer questions about their data.

      Some of my other tasks include carrying out research, such as market research into competing companies, and creating surveys for people who work in the field to use.

      For my role, I mainly work at a desk with 2 or 3 computer screens in front of me to help me work faster. Sometimes I’ll have meetings/calls to attend, other days I’m left to work independently, but my colleagues are only ever a Teams message/email away!

    • My Typical Day:

      My typical work day is from 9am -5:30pm with a lunch break in the middle. It’s quite flexible and some days I can start or finish later if I want to! I spend the day on my computer looking at maps and numbers and usually asking my colleagues lots of questions so that I can learn more. I always make sure to go for at least one walk a day, either before work or on my lunch break.

       

    • Read more

      I wake up between 7:30 – 8:00 am depending on whether I am going into the office or working from home. I have my breakfast (overnight oats) and on some days I like to start by taking a short walk around where I live.

      I start work anytime between 8:30 and 9:00 am, it’s quite flexible! My job involves being at a desk and I usually have 2 or 3 computer screens in front of me. In the middle of the day I’ll eat lunch and either watch tv, chat with colleagues or go for another quick walk.

      I finish work at around 5:30 pm. Straight after, I usually go to the gym or go for a run to help unwind from the work day.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would love to spend the money on organizing a science camp for young teenagers from all backgrounds. I would make sure to focus on making the camp a cool, safe and inviting space for young girls to attend too. Currently, girls only take up roughly 30% of STEM jobs and I would love to play a part in increasing this.

      I would make sure the camp is fun, (it’s very easy to make science fun!!), but I would also make sure it was educational, not only in terms of scientific content, but also in terms of the careers that are available in science. It would be great if people could leave the camp knowing some scientific facts but importantly, also knowing about a specific scientific job that they can pursue in the future.

    CV

    • Education:

      • 2011 – 2016 – Katherine Lady Berkeley’s Secondary School
      • 2016 – 2018 – Katherine Lady Berkeley’s Sixth Form
      • 2018 – 2023 – University of Leeds – I studied lots of different biological subjects, completed lots of lab experiments, went on research trips in the UK and Africa, and completed a year in industry too.

    • Qualifications:

      • GCSEs: Biology (A), Chemistry (A), Physics (A), Maths (A), English Literature (A*), English Language (A*), Geography (A*), German (A), History (A), Religious Education (A*), Physical Education (A*)
      • A-Levels: Biology (A), Geography (A), Psychology (A)
      • University degree: Integrated Masters of Biology and Bachelor of Science in Zoology

    • Work History:

      • During my school years, I completed a lot of work experience and voluntary roles at veterinary practices, zoos, farms and equestrian centers. This experience was really valuable. It taught me a lot about the jobs, it built my confidence and it gave me skills that employers always look for.
      • 2020-2021 – 10 months spent working at Bristol Zoo as a zookeeper for my year in industry that was part of my degree. This role involved learning a lot about animal care and behaviour and also taking part in research studies. This job was really interesting and gave me skills and knowledge that were essential in helping me secure my first job after I graduated university.

    • Current Job:

      Currently, I’m on a graduate scheme. Graduate schemes are where you join a company after finishing university, and then work 9 – 12 months in two or three different roles. I am currently on my first 9 month placement working as a data analyst for ADAS who are a consultancy firm in the agricultural (farming) world. This current job has been really useful in teaching me lots of new data analyst skills and computer software.

      In a few months time however, I’ll be moving into a new role which I have yet to choose. Doing a graduate scheme has really benefited me as when I finished university I wasn’t sure what job I wanted and so the fact that I can try out a few different roles is really useful to me and will help me pick up a wide variety of skills, experience and knowledge.

    • Employer:

      My current employer is RSK who are an international engineering and environmental consultancy. The RSK group is made up of around 300 companies that they own, like how Mars chocolate bars own Maltesers, Celebrations, Skittles and many more brands.

      This means that they have expertise in lots of different areas of the environmental industry which is great for me as I’m new to my career and still wanting to learn more about the industry.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Nature-loving data analyst

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        Veterinary surgeon

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Never

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        I'd either be a vet or a field researcher abroad.

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Taylor Swift

        What's your favourite food?

        Sushi, or fruit

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        My first wish would obviously be for unlimited wishes. If that's not allowed, I would wish for myself to be better at making decisions...

        Tell us a joke.

        When is the moon the heaviest? When it's full!

Questions answered by Lowri

View all Lowri's answered questions