We spoke to Megan about her route into economic consultancy, the projects that have stood out and why combining data with engagement is key to understanding places and economies.
The journey to AMION
My route to AMION wasn’t completely straightforward! I studied Economics at the University of Sheffield, but actually started out studying Politics and International Relations. I’d studied Economics at A-level and quickly realised how much I missed the combination of numbers and real-world issues, so I made the switch at the end of my first year.
After graduating, I worked briefly as a Housing Solutions Officer at Sheffield City Council before joining United Utilities as a Graduate Economist. That was my first opportunity to apply economics professionally and use data and evidence to support decision-making.
When I saw the role at AMION, the variety of the work immediately stood out. Being fully remote also meant I could move back to Sheffield, where I now regularly work on projects relating to the city and wider region.
Projects that stand out
I’m going to cheat slightly and pick two!
The first is our work on the semiconductor sector for the University of Sheffield, exploring the sector’s strengths across Sheffield and South Yorkshire and the opportunities for future growth.
Semiconductors were something I knew very little about when we started, but I found it fascinating to explore what such an important sector could mean for the region in terms of jobs, skills, innovation and investment.
It was also a real full-circle moment. At the end of the project, I presented our findings in a University lecture theatre and realised I’d sat a maths exam in that exact room about five years earlier!
The other is the Bassetlaw Skills Audit, looking at current and future skills needs in the local economy. I particularly enjoyed speaking to employers, Council officers, charities, education providers and the Youth Parliament alongside analysing economic and labour market data.
The projects were very different, but that variety is one of the things I enjoy most about working at AMION.
Making evidence engaging
For me, it’s about making the evidence tell a story. It’s easy to get caught up in the detail when working with lots of data, but people need a clear explanation of what it actually means.
I often ask whether my family or friends who don’t work in economics would understand what I’m trying to say. If they wouldn’t, it probably needs simplifying! That doesn’t mean making the analysis less robust, but making sure the important messages don’t get lost in technical language.
I’m also a big fan of infographics and visuals. Sometimes one well-designed graphic can communicate something far more effectively than several paragraphs of text.
Beyond the numbers
One of the biggest things I’ve learnt since joining AMION is how important engagement is to producing useful research.
I imagined consultancy would be more heavily focused on data, desk research and analysis. Those are a big part of the job, but some of the most valuable insights come from speaking directly to people.
Data might show that businesses are struggling to recruit or that a place has a particular skills challenge, but conversations with employers, residents and local organisations can help explain why. I really enjoy that side of the job and the insight it adds to the analysis.
Outside of work
I love spending time with family and friends, and quite a lot of my spare time seems to revolve around food!
My boyfriend and I enjoy trying new restaurants and different cuisines, although we’re both slightly obsessed with Turkish food, so that features quite heavily.
I’m also a big fan of day trips and exploring different cities – walking around new neighbourhoods and finding places you might otherwise miss.
Megan is a Consultant within AMION’s Strategy, Policy and Innovation Team.