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School of Geography

Shamem Faizi (Global Development MA)

I am looking forward to sharing my interest in geography with younger students to encourage more people to study geography. Having completed my MA, I’ve learned about the diversity of geography as a discipline, and I hope to pass this onto my students. 

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Headshot of alumna, Shamem Faizi. She is loosely wearing a black headscarf so that the front of her hair is showing and she has sunglasses on her head.

Why did you choose to study an MA in Global Development at Queen Mary? 

After completing my undergraduate degree, I wanted to continue in academia as I had found many areas of interest in geography that I wanted to explore further. Among these interests, development was a topic that stood out to me, and the MA in Global Development offered an in-depth insight into this. The MA course outline included a diverse set of areas within development studies as well as multiple opportunities to study modules from other disciplines, such as Politics and International Relations. Additionally, I was attracted to the programme since the teaching staff are all leading in their areas of research.  

What did you enjoy most about the programme? 

I really enjoyed the diverse set of topics that the MA investigated, such as working lives, gender and development, and migration. This heterogeneity meant that as well as development, I could learn and explore related topics. Also, the seminar-style teachings were enjoyable as it enabled collaboration with other MA students, which I found very enriching.  

How did you secure your job role following your studies? 

During my MA, I began part-time online tutoring for Geography students, which helped me succeed in getting my current role as a Teacher of Geography at a leading independent school. I heard about the job role through an email sent to all MA students in the Geography department at Queen Mary. After registering my interest via email, I underwent a series of interviews and trial lessons to test my ability to teach and successfully secured the role. 

What are you most looking forward to in your new role? 

I am looking forward to sharing my interest in geography with younger students to encourage more people to study geography. Having completed my MA, I’ve learned about the diversity of geography as a discipline, and I hope to pass this onto my students. Moreover, I am keen to develop my ability to teach my subject in new and exciting ways. 

 

 

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