United Kingdom
Having graduated from Lancaster University with a Upper Second class degree in Biology, I have recently begun my new role as a Graduate Ecologist with Mott MacDonald. During my degree, I undertook a year-long placement with the Environment Agency within the Flood Risk Modelling team, where I gained valuable new skills and knowledge in areas such as GIS, TUFLOW, and Flood Modeller, whilst gaining experience working in a large organisation. I spent time networking to build my understanding of the sector as a whole, which reinforced my drive to rejoin the ecological sector after graduation. Relevant university modules include Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology and Environmental Physiology. The prospect of contributing to the conservation and research of the environment greatly excites me. Over the summer of 2022, I completed an Internship with West Cumbria Rivers Trust. My role as survey assistant involved working in a small team to collect and record data for a report on the health of the River Derwent Catchment. Tasks included taking water readings, measurements of the survey sites, identification of species and habitat health analysis. I was asked to re-join the team in the summer of 2023, and had a wonderful time again with the team, furthering my surveying skills and knowledge. I was able to bring knowledge and skills from my previous role as aquarist at the Lake District Coast Aquarium. During my first and second years at Lancaster University I took up the roles of Social and Welfare Officer for the Lancaster University Archery Club. It was very rewarding to support members starting or continuing a new skill. I pride myself on the planning and organisation required for society events, and have enjoyed transferring these skills into my professional work. Email addresses- [email protected] / [email protected]
Sitting within the Flood Risk Modelling Team, I developed skills such as GIS and softwares including TUFLOW and Flood Modeller. I delivered projects for a range of teams, and spent time furthering my understanding of the organisation as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed networking, and especially the opportunities that arose from it such as my time spent with the Fisheries, Biodiversity and Geomorphology team and Data and Analytics, both of which I had the honour of joining on various field days. Throughout this year, I will further current - and build new - skills that I will take into my career after graduation.
• I was pleased to be asked to undertake this internship for a second year with the Trust. I built on the skills and knowledge I had gained the previous year, whilst seeking new opportunities. • In addition to the regular fish surveys, I was able to undertake other projects such as invasive species control as well habitat restoration. • A highlight was having the privilege of joining the team to collect Freshwater Pearl Mussels.
• My role involved working in a small team to collect and record data for a report on the health of the River Derwent Catchment. Tasks included taking water readings, measurement of the survey sites, identification of species and habitat health analysis. • I was at a new survey site every day and had to assess the safety of each situation with regular risk assessments.. • I refined the previous year’s Excel spreadsheet for efficiency and inputted the data myself. • Diligently following methodologies to gather reliable data was an important part of my role with the Trust.
• My ability to deal with responsibility and being confident in my own ability has been aided by being apart of a small team in which I had to perform tasks individually. Roles included preparing food and feeding animals, water quality tests and ensuring the aquarium remains tidy and sanitary. • Creative thinking was required to solve certain tasks, such as the arrangement of tanks and movement of animals. • Speaking with visitors aided improvement of my communication skills and my self confidence. • Working as part of the aquarium staff has given me valuable team-working skills, as we had to ensure that information was communicated correctly and fully to ensure all tasks were completed. • This role provided many challenges which required quick thinking and improved how I work under pressure. • My ability to quickly learn new skills to a level at which I am trusted to perform them unsupervised in a professional environment can be demonstrated by being asked to return as a full-time member of the aquarium team after finishing my summer work experience.