Isla

Previous School: Sir James Smith's Community School

Courses studied: A level Geography, Environmental Science and Maths

Extra Activites: Netball Academy

Progression: BSc Ocean Exploration & Surveying and Master's in Offshore Renewable Energy

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Plymouth University studying BSc Ocean Exploration & Surveying and then a Master's in Offshore Renewable Energy. The courses were practical and industry-focused, especially with access to the Marine Station’s excellent facilities and vessels.

Callywith was very supportive with the transition to uni and wanted you to make the best choice for you. In my case I wanted to study something based on the Geography and Environmental Science route and when looking at universities they were able to show the degrees which wouldn't normally be the generic route but options that could work well for you and are in full support of that. When I found that the University of Plymouth offered Marine Science related degrees it really showed that the advice and guidance I got from Callywith paid off in getting where I wanted career wise.

Callywith played a key role in preparing me for university. The support and guidance I received from lecturers and the Student Services team made the transition to university smooth and easy. I’m genuinely grateful for the foundation they helped build and the continued encouragement I’ve received since.

I enjoyed Geography at Callywith because not only did it introduce relevant real world content, but it also showed that these things occur locally and it's scenarios that you can encounter in everyday life. For example, the trips that are on offer as part of the Geography A-Level are fun as well as informative and apply classroom teaching to outdoor teaching which I found really helpful when sitting my exam as I could relate well to what I'd seen. The classroom lectures are also made fun to keep everyone engaged and you're treated like an adult where it was easier to make that step to university. I chose to study Ocean Exploration and Surveying because I really enjoyed the Coasts module and the physical geography at A-level as well as the science aspect of the environment which I got from the environmental science A-Level. My degree pulls aspects from both A-levels and is very industry based which I enjoy.

My A-levels have helped a lot in my degree. Where most people had narrow options for their A-Levels Callywith was able to provide A-Levels that can expand and project your learning and put you ahead of many other applicants. The content delivered in my A-Levels was very broad, and broad enough where such a narrow fielded degree like Ocean Exploration and Surveying encompases a lot of what was taught an A-Level where it is then slightly expanded into your area of interest. 

After completing my master’s, I took a slightly different path and was elected as Vice President of Activities at the University of Plymouth Students’ Union. In this role, I supported student engagement across university activities, particularly within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. I also sat on the Union’s Board of Trustees, where I gained valuable experience in areas such as finance, governance, and strategic decision-making.

Looking to apply these skills within the sector I had studied, I secured an internship in Aberdeen with Reach Subsea, working in business development. This role gave me a real insight into the offshore energy industry, with highlights including vessel visits, offshore wind farm tours, and the opportunity to speak at the OEUK 2024 Annual Conference as a ‘Voice of the Next Generation’.

After my internship, I returned to the South West. Initially, it was challenging to find a role in the energy sector, but I’ve since joined OWC as a consultant in the Environment and Consents team. I’m now working on renewable energy projects and really enjoying the variety and impact of the work. No two days are the same!
 

For students considering a similar path, my advice would be to actively reach out and build connections in the industry. I wouldn’t be where I am today without putting myself out there and asking to meet people. Ask lots of questions, it’s something I wasn’t always confident doing, but it’s made a huge difference to my development.