Emma Magee
Student spotlight details
Emma gained the confidence to plan, interpret and manage ecological survey programmes after completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Ecological Survey Techniques.
'Before I enrolled on the Postgraduate Certificate in Ecological Survey Techniques I was working in sustainability and environmental management, but not where I wanted to be. Making the move to an ecological, hands-on role where I felt confident with data collection, sampling and questions relating to conservation were proving challenging.
'I had taken the Field Techniques for Surveying Vegetation module (now called Plant Biodiversity and Habitat Assessment Methods) as a stand-alone unit online the year before and found it to be both challenging and immensely rewarding. I knew that the PGCert would be a big step up from that but was excited about the amount I would learn and the teaching staff I would have the chance to learn from.
'The pace of the modules is the biggest challenge, especially if you work full time. I had to plan my time carefully to make sure I didn’t miss any exercises. But the pace of learning really helps you feel like you are developing new skills, fast.
'The highlight for me was the face-to-face week in Oxford. Being taught by such a great selection of experts out in the field is exactly what I hoped for in the course but it gave even more than I dared hope. The timetable for that week is very full on but it’s probably one of the best weeks in education I’ve ever had. From moth trapping on the first night to nest box surveys and bird ringing in Wytham Woods, the hands-on experience is second to none. The GIS skills I learned as well as geo-mapping and statistical analysis were so welcome and, again, have taught me much more than I could have expected in such a short time. The other huge benefit is the friendship between the cohort of students — the small intake means it’s quite a tight-knit group and learning alongside everyone was great fun.
'I now work for the Environment Agency helping design and deliver environmental improvement projects in terrestrial, fluvial and coastal habitats across South Devon. I routinely work with ecological survey data and have the confidence to plan, interpret and manage ecological survey programmes and use them to enhance our native ecology.
'This course is one of the best things I have ever done. The quality of the content, technology and teaching support is second to none. I loved every minute of this course.'
