I want to work on some of society’s toughest problems and play a part in trying to find a solution.
John Hooper graduated from Brighton with a Mathematics BSc(Hons) in 2022 and is now working in the Home Office.
Read about his work and his experiences of studying here as a mature student:
My career so far
I work as an Operational Research Analyst in the Civil Service, currently in the Home Office, where I model the asylum system. It is a challenging area for many reasons. The system itself is incredibly complex, with many routes to claim asylum and a wide range of potential outcomes and pathways for asylum seekers, which makes it a considerable modelling challenge.
Asylum is also a highly politicised topic, often used as a “political football”, between and within parties. Different departments involved such as the Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions, and the Treasury each have their own interests. Even within the Home Office, there are conflicting priorities for different areas of the business.
Ultimately, the biggest challenge is the human one. We have a duty to protect vulnerable people, and for those who make it to our country, many face destitution or even persecution if returned home. I hope that the work I do, providing analysis the business and Ministers, helps to improve outcomes for refugees and ensures that we are making evidence-based decisions to address these complex issues.
I applied to the Civil Service because I wanted to do important work. I still can’t decide if it’s the product of an inflated ego, but I want the work I do to matter! I am not interested in “reducing churn” of some large online corporation by 0.25%. I want to work on some of society’s toughest problems and play a part in trying to find a solution.
What I enjoy about my job and what I’m most proud of
I work with so many intelligent people, MSc’s and PhD’s, its hard sometimes not to feel like an imposter. But I learn so much through osmosis, just by being around them. Bouncing ideas around when I am stuck on a particular problem, it’s the best environment possible for problem solving. My unit have a good sense of camaraderie too, with lots of social events, conferences, it helps dispel those imposter feelings and I take pride in being part of my team.
I pitched and led a project to introduce more data science methods to complement our simulation and Excel modelling. Typically, we use a top-down approach, modelling systems based on assumptions about their structure and behaviour. I wanted to challenge this with a method called process mining, which generates process maps and models directly from data, using a bottom-up approach. It highlighted where our modelling assumptions hold true and where they break down. I had the opportunity to present this work across the Home Office and it’s been very well received. I’m hoping to develop this further next year.
Why I chose my course
I did not have a particular career in mind. I wanted to study a subject with the potential to open as many doors as possible, because I felt trapped in my previous job. I studied as a mature student, having started my degree through the Open University. University of Brighton recognised my accomplishments so far and accepted me onto the mathematics course in my 2nd year.
What my course was like
The course was fantastic. I found the lecturers very supportive but gave us space to learn in our own way. I loved studying maths at Brighton. I was taught how to use a breadth of mathematical tools and feel well equipped for my career. And I made some great friends. Even though I was 31 when I started and I joined in the second year, I felt welcomed
Some advice if you’re thinking of studying at Brighton..
Degrees aren’t cheap, but you get out of them what you put in. I recommend engaging fully in the course, turn up to every class and get your money’s worth out of the lecturers! Don’t be afraid to ask “stupid” questions in front of your classmates; I guarantee plenty of them will want to know the answer too or haven’t even thought to ask.
In second and third year, you get to carve your own path and choose what interests you. Don’t do yourself a disservice by picking a module you’re not particularly interested in. At the start of third year, I went to multiple classes to scope them out before deciding which ones to settle on. Trust your gut and give it your best, so that when you walk across the stage in that gown, with the people you love watching, and you’re handed your degree, you have no regrets.
Brighton is a fantastic town with a great university, with plenty of opportunities to develop your skills. The city has a unique atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful surrounding countryside. Immerse yourself in your work but remember to find a balance between study and rest, whatever that looks like for you, because Brighton has the perfect setting to achieve academic success and life-changing personal growth.
My plans for the future
My son was born in April 2024, he took my plans captive, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Parenthood is unlike any challenge I’ve ever faced, but it has unlocked emotions that never existed before. Though my career goals have taken a back seat, I am interested in exploring other areas of work. I currently work in a role where I do mathematical modelling, often in the absence of data, using assumptions from domain experts. I would like explore data engineering, where the problems are more concrete and hands-on.
But, I am much more looking forward to watching my son learn and grow, taking him wild camping and climbing, and suggestively teaching him how exciting and creative maths can be.
Click this link to find out about studying Data Science BSc(Hons) at Brighton
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