Meet James Thorburn

October 31, 2024

Student Spotlight: James Thorburn
James Thorburn

Major: Geography
Hometown: Holdrege, NE
Year at UNL: Senior

Why Geography?
I chose to major in geography because it is applicable to everything that I am passionate about from photography to history and Earth science.

Geography of World Regions class and History of the Great Plains were eye opening to me, they taught so much about cultures all around the world and in the case of History of the Great Plains the cultures that have existed here in Nebraska for thousands of years. My suggestion is to try out different areas in your major and find what you are most interested in. Geography is a major that has something for everyone no matter what your interest.

Extracurricular Activities:
I spent a year stationed in Korea and it was a defining experience for me in terms of how I see the world. I would highly recommend students spend some time in a country that doesn't have English as the primary language.

Post-Graduation Plans:
I would like to work for the federal or state government doing GIS work or remote sensing. Ideally, I would like to do remote work and I think I would like to stay in Lincoln.

Favorite book:
The Catcher in the Rye

Favorite movie and why:
Fantastic Mr. Fox, I love all the small details in the movie and the animation style along with the cast is unbeatable in my opinion.