Back to stories listingEsther Clarke is currently studying Applied Ecology PGDip (Postgraduate Diploma) part time at UoG. Read what Esther has to say about the course.
What is your background and what brought you to study this course?
I did an undergraduate degree in Ecology at a different UK university in the mid-1990s. Since then, I have since worked in countryside management and conservation, mainly on practical habitat management.
At the time of applying for this course, I was working for a county Wildlife Trust managing a small team and with multiple Nature Reserves in my portfolio. I felt that I needed to update and refresh my ecology knowledge and skills as there are so many new and emerging areas that I felt I needed to better understand. So, I decided to apply to study Applied Ecology at UoG.
Did you attend an open event/meet the lecturer event?
Yes, I had an online meeting with course leader Prof Anne Goodenough, which helped me decide that this would be an interesting course and very useful for my current role – and possible future roles in the sector too. I opted for the Postgraduate Diploma part time route to ensure I would be able to fit it in around my work commitments.
How did you find the transition into Master’s-level study?
Despite not having studied formally for many years, it was easier than I expected. The hardest thing was all the reading and remembering to write in a scientific way. Usually at work I am having to write magazine articles for members of the public or reports for managers and trustees, so the style is very different – but there is a lot of support and feedback.
What have you enjoyed most about the course?
Meeting and working with lots of new ecology enthusiasts has been great fun.
What’s next?
The course is really building my confidence, updating my knowledge, and refreshing my skills. I have already moved into a new role as Ecological Adviser with my original Wildlife Trust employer and am putting what I have learnt to practice every day.
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