Sharing experience, shaping futures: the impact of a Cardiff careers talk

Tom Walby (BSc 2003, MSc 2005), a geotechnical and geoenvironmental specialist and Technical Manager at Prichard Remediation, shared his journey from lecture theatre to industry, offering practical advice and honest reflections on an alumni career panel.

He and three other alumni, gave up their time for an evening panel session, organised by the University, showcasing the range of careers available within Geoscience. Returning to Cardiff University gave Tom a moment of reflection and renewed purpose – while giving students valuable insight into life beyond graduation.

After completing his degree with the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tom began his career on the consultancy side of the environmental and civil engineering sector.

“I started out being shown the ropes, learning how ground investigations and contaminated land assessments worked in practice,” he explains. “Once I built up my confidence, I was out in the field doing the work myself.”

Over time, that hands-on experience evolved into mentoring others, before a move into the contracting sector with Prichard’s. Today, his role bridges the gap between technical assessments and on-site delivery – advising on strategies for resource recovery, waste minimisation and major development projects.

It’s this breadth of experience that makes alumni voices so valuable to students – bringing their subjects to life and showing how knowledge translates into the real world. When invited to return to Cardiff, Tom’s initial reaction was one of surprise.

“I hadn’t fully appreciated how far I’d come since my time as a student,” he reflected. “I saw the opportunity as a chance to speak to my younger self and share honest insight into the career journey ahead.”

Despite being away for 20 years, returning to campus felt familiar.

“While many things have changed, the learning environment is still defined by the enthusiasm and ambition of its students.”

Rose (Geology 2023-), one of the students in the audience, shared: “I found the alumni panel really inspiring. We heard from three alumni in different roles about how their careers have developed and their top tips for CVs and job applications. I am grateful for opportunities like this as they broaden your horizons and give you and insight into what to expect from the world of work.”

This kind of interaction highlights the value of careers talks. They open up possibilities, introduce different perspectives and give students the confidence to ask questions about their own future paths. While the benefits for students are clear, the experience also had a lasting impact on Tom.

“Going back gave me the drive to reflect on my career, the wider industry and my own goals,” he says. That reflection translated into tangible professional development, supporting achievements across several professional bodies, including the Geological Society, Institution of Civil Engineers, Chartered Institute of Building and Institute of Leadership.

It also reinforced a key message Tom was keen to share: “Graduation is not the finish line – there is no finish line, just new chapters.”

Beyond personal development, careers talks create valuable connections between alumni, students and the University. For Tom, it was an opportunity to reconnect with Cardiff and engage with emerging talent in his field.

“Alumni provide perspectives that go beyond lectures and exams,” he explains. “Sharing career journeys helps students understand how their academic skills translate into professional opportunities. It proves industry pathways exist and exposes students to careers they may not have considered.”

For alumni considering getting involved, Tom’s message is simple: your experience matters. “I would encourage any alum to get involved. Experience gives you a perspective you simply don’t have at the start of your career.”

Sharing career stories, mentoring and supporting students isn’t about having a perfect journey – it’s about sharing insight, lessons learned and the realities of working life. By doing so, alumni can have a lasting impact on students at a pivotal stage in their lives. “You have more to offer than you think,” Tom adds. “Share it.”

If you are in interested in volunteering your time, expertise, and experience to support and inspire students, we would love to hear from you.