Andre Strydom

My strong work ethic and attention to detail make me a valuable team player. I am a bilingual people person with a passion for problem solving. I have experience working with Microsoft Word, Excel, SPSS, QGIS and ArcGIS. I am a logical thinker with a creative approach to problem solving. I am a leader with strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to any circumstances. I never back down from a challenge and I believe that my can-do attitude is what truly sets me apart from my peers and makes me the perfect fit for this internship.

I have a lot of informal and some formal work experience. I have been volunteering since I was in high school and also worked as an event coordinator and shop assistant while completing my undergraduate degree.

I completed my undergraduate degree in Anthropology, Geography, and Environmental Science at the University of Pretoria. Before that I studied towards a B.Ed degree. In my third year I made the pivot to Environmental Science and never looked back.

I completed my Honors in Geography and Environmental Studies at Stellenbosch University. My focus areas include: Advanced GIS Analyses, Disaster and Risk Studies, and Environmental Analysis and Synthesis. My studies have equipped me to develop a broad, interdisciplinary framework to approach complex, interconnected problems facing our world at multiple scales. Additionally my honors degree enabled me to develop strong analytic and quantitative skills needed to identify problems, develop a program to address the problem, execute a rigorous analysis of the issue, and reach independent conclusions.

I was fortunate enough to be apart of a research project that explored the hazards and associated vulnerabilities of backyard dwellers in Piketberg, Western Cape. The research was conducted in collaboration with Stellenbosch University and the Bergrivier Municipality. During this project I gained valuable experience with regards to multiple stakeholder engagement and community participation. I also acted as the community based workshop lead in the research project.