David M. Harkin
Profile
A focussed, soon to be MSc graduate pursuing a career as a science communicator, using the expertise and skills
achieved through academic teachings and work experience to forge this career path. The perfect job would
combine the natural hazard expertise acquired at university and a role in relaying this information for public
awareness.
Education
MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards
September 2014 – Present
This course focuses on the physical processes that generate natural hazards through an advanced understanding
of geological and environmental processes. The course has an overall aim to provide me with the skills necessary
to peruse a career in hazard mitigation and risk assessment, equipping me with a desirable set of skills for a role
within this industry.
Course Experience:
 Experience in various software packages including ArcGIS, Hazus, ILWIS, RiskNet, VBA and CorelDraw.
 Various field work excursions including (1) Geomorphological mapping of Broadway, Cotswolds. (2) San
Andreas fault tectonics, California. (3) Hazard risk assessment of Mount Etna, Sicily.
 Report writing experience including: (1) Geotechnical ground investigation of the Jubilee Line, Bermondsey,
London. (2) Ash cloud modelling using VBA (research article). (3) Field survey investigation – Broadway,
Cotswolds.
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An understanding of analytical techniques and statistics.
BSc Hons Earth Sciences 2:1
September 2009 – June 2013
Earth Sciences at Glasgow University covered a broad variety of topics concerning our planet and the processes
that have shaped it. Subjects included the more traditional geology based topics such as igneous, metamorphic
and sedimentary petrology as well as looking at climate/environmental sciences and more practical based
subjects such as engineering geology and geophysics.
Course Experience:
 Two dissertation projects; (1) Independent geological mapping project of the Moine Thrust, Ullapool,
Scotland. (2) Lab based project, analysing the influence of temperature as a control in the decay of stone
masonry.
 Numerous field expeditions, notable excursions include a two week trip to South-East Spain and one week
each in Arran, Oban, Mull, Scarborough and Ardnamurchan in the UK.
 Development of widely applicable academic skills including report writing, data analysis and synthesis,
collection of own data and field based skills.
 Delivery of numerous departmental presentations, all of which scored +80% (two were 100%).
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Employment History & Expertise
EE - Sales Adviser
September 2011 – Present
My current role as an ambassador for the UK’s number one digital network involves direct
interaction with the businesses existing customer base and prospective customer base. It
requires a founding knowledge in mobile technology and the ability to keep up to date in
a fast paced, ever changing environment. My role is target driven and requires the ability
to work as a team towards store targets as well as managing my own personal targets. An
indicator of my success within this role would be looking at the customer feedback I receive from a text message
based questionnaire all my customers receive after they have visited the store. I routinely score in excess of 90%
customer satisfaction with customers leaving rewarding and encouraging comments. My monthly target
performance, as a part time advisor, is also very encouraging.
The University of Glasgow - Summer Internship
June 2012 – August 2012
This role was as a lab assistant to a PhD student over the course of the summer 2012. It involved intricate
extraction of apatite crystals from bulk samples collected in South Africa, with the overall aim of the project
being to date the rates of crustal uplift experienced on the South African Continent. I was involved in all stages
of the sample preparation process.
McDonalds - Shift Manager
September 2005 – September 2011
This was a customer driven position, working in a fast paced, high pressured environment. I gained expertise in
all areas of running a successful store including people management, customer service and stock/cash
supervision.
Skill Summary and Achievements
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Confident public speaker.
Environmentally aware with a particular knowledge base concerning natural hazards and risk.
Competent user of ArcGIS, Microsoft Office programmes and CorelDraw.
Practical experience in hazard modelling using VBA, Hazus and ArcGIS.
A well-mannered and well respected individual amongst my friends and peers alike.
Passionate in topics aside from my education including politics and technology.
Acutely aware of the importance of social media to business in today’s world.
Holder of a UK driver’s license.
Adaptable to change and not afraid of the associated challenges.
Keen traveller and eager to work abroad if the opportunity presented itself.
Elected as Vice President of the Earth Science Society at Glasgow University (2012/2013). Through this I was
in charge of organising academic and social events for my fellow students and departmental staff. I
successfully secured Iain Stewart (BBC Broadcaster in Geology) to visit the University and give a talk for the
department covering geology and the media. In the end it was attended by over 200 people and very well
received. As part of this role I masterminded the introduction of a discount scheme for our members at
relevant local retailers (including suppliers of field equipment and stationary), that has been continued to this
day.
References
Derek Rust - University of Portsmouth - derek.rust@port.ac.uk - 07786 413 408
Malcolm Whitworth - University of Portsmouth - malcolm.whitworth@port.ac.uk
Matt Bray - EE Retail - matt.bray@ee.co.uk - 07852 128 420
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