What was your main reason for choosing to study your course at Plymouth? With hindsight how significant was this for you?
I think I was in the tough position after A-levels where I was unsure as to what I wanted to do for the next few years of my life. I knew that I didn’t want to take a year out as I felt I would lose momentum with my studies. I knew, however, that I had a love for the sea and that if I was going to study anything it would be around something I loved, and in my case that was sailing. I found the course online and believed it would help me towards pursuing a career in it. At this point, I was still unaware as to what I really wanted to do.
How did we support you in your studies? If you used any support services whilst at the university how did they enable you to get to where you are today?
Luckily for me the University had just improved my course with the completion of the brand new, state of the art, marine building. All of the equipment we used was new and an exact representation of the real world technology we would use after graduating. Simple things such as the library and tutors were also hugely beneficial when it came to studies and completing work.
How did studying at Plymouth change your career aspirations and plans?
I think personally spending time at Plymouth to identify what I really wanted to do was key for where I am today. I started at university not knowing where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do, but was able to leave university knowing what I wanted to do. In fact, I was actually able to jump straight into it. I think at points during my university degree I contemplated altering my career path and pursuing something more suited to my course; however, my love for sailing and the sea won over.
What is your favourite memory of studying for your degree at Plymouth?
I think my favourite time studying at Plymouth was when I was writing my dissertation. Spending time researching, testing, and writing about something I was truly interested in was really satisfying. Starting with nothing but an idea and ending with a full paper proving or disproving theories of that idea was great to write. Also, working with other departments at the university was great.
Why would you recommend undertaking a course with Plymouth University?
I think my course was ideal for students who are looking at pursuing a career in the merchant navy or working at sea. The amazing facilities which the University provides are one of the best training resources in the world. For pursuing a career at sea the facilities were great, learning simple collision regulations and learning how to properly operate and behave at sea.