Flood Modeller: From Classroom To Career
- oliverashton3
- Nov 12
- 3 min read
Fran Fowden, Hydraulic Modeller and Hydrologist at Jacobs
Fran Fowden is a Hydraulic Modeller and Hydrologist at Jacobs, having joined the company in September 2023 after completing her master’s degree at the University of Manchester. We recently caught up with Fran to learn how Flood Modeller supported her development before starting her career at Jacobs and the work she is now doing in her day-to-day role.
At Flood Modeller, we’re committed to making our software accessible to everyone. That’s why we work closely with universities and colleges, helping them integrate Flood Modeller into their curriculum and giving students valuable hands-on experience with industry-leading modelling tools. Here's what Fran had to say when asked about her journey.
Flood Modeller at University
I was first introduced to Flood Modeller during my master’s degree in Pollution and Environmental Control at the University of Manchester when we used the software to model potential flooding in a small town in the West Midlands. This involved building and running a 1D hydraulic model and experimenting with a range of parameters to understand how these changes influenced flood extents.
Before this experience, my understanding of hydraulic modelling was minimal, and I had no prior exposure to modelling software. Learning to use Flood Modeller provided me with a strong technical foundation and introduced me to the practical challenges of flood risk assessments.
Impact on Career Plans
Access to Flood Modeller during my studies gave me invaluable hands-on experience in:
Building and running hydraulic models.
Testing model sensitivity by adjusting key parameters within the software.
Interpreting model outputs to assess flood risk.
This experience sparked my interest in hydraulic modelling and greatly contributed to my decision to pursue a career in this field.
Securing a Post-Graduate Role
Using Flood Modeller at university was instrumental in securing my first post-graduate role. During interviews, I was able to draw on my practical experience with the software, which provided several strong talking points and showcased my ability to adapt quickly to technical tasks. Employers recognised that I already had a solid grounding in hydraulic modelling principles, which meant I could contribute effectively to projects from day one.
My Current Role
I’m now two years into my career as a hydraulic modeller and hydrologist at Jacobs and I use Flood Modeller software daily across a diverse range of projects. These include flood risk assessments, the development of flood defence schemes, and reservoir studies. In addition to project work, I support graduate training in the software and help deliver sessions to external users.
Reflections
Looking back, gaining early exposure to Flood Modeller was pivotal in shaping my career. It not only helped me identify the path I wanted to follow but also gave me a competitive edge in the job market. Having practical experience with industry-standard tools ensured I was well-prepared for the challenges of professional hydraulic modelling.
Getting Started
Want to get started? Flood Modeller’s Standard Edition is free for students and lecturers!
Our free academic licences are provided for a 12-month period and provide multi-user access, enabling entire classes to use the software at once. It includes full access to the Standard edition of Flood Modeller, which provides integrated catchment modelling capabilities, allowing you to accurately model rivers, sewers, overland flows, and rainfall-runoff.
Fran Fowden
Fran is a Hydraulic Modeller and Hydrologist at Jacobs who joined Jacobs in September 2023 after completing her master's at the University of Manchester.
