MSc Environmental Consultancy, University of the West of England
After a successful (and tough) few years in my undergraduate degree, I decided to continue my higher education by doing a Master of Science (MSc) degree for several reasons:
I wanted to improve my academic credibility and strengthen my employment potential. Bachelor’s degrees have become a base requirement in most environmental jobs and I was finding that an increasing amount of graduate roles were asking for a Master’s degree. I wanted something extra to ensure I stood out in the stack of CV applications. I took the time to research a Master’s course that suited me academically, financially and logistically (I cannot stress how important these three points are when choosing the right course). I also wanted a course that would broaden my academic horizons and provide me with modules that relate to the real-world aspects encountered in environmental careers; this was crucial.
My top tip is that if you can find a Master’s course with a mandatory placement, take it. My placement module gave me the best and most useful experience in understanding how environmental jobs work. My placement company have since offered me a job as an Environmental Scientist working in the groundwater and soil remediation sector. I would highly recommend seeking a placement to any student as this was an invaluable experience that led to me obtaining a job at a great company; this is the same for many other people from my course.
You must be financially prepared to start a Master’s degree, which can vary in price. The workload is higher than an undergraduate degree, and if studying full-time, you move at an assignment-to-assignment pace for the entire year, not just from September to June. Attending lectures is important- you don’t want to miss anything, as when you fall behind, it can be difficult to catch up. So, you may choose to have a part-time job to afford living expenses, but it needs to be flexible as a lot of your free time is dedicated to the course. I made a budget before the year to ensure I could afford rent, food and travel.
Finally, do a course you love. If you do something you enjoy, you are more likely to excel. I chose the MSc Environmental Consultancy course because the modules really appealed to me and would expand my baseline knowledge from my undergraduate degree. In a world where experience is highly valued, I knew this course, with its mandatory placement module, would be perfect for me and benefit my future professional career development.