Environmental Science BSc(Hons): After you graduate

"I wanted to study environmental science because I was interested in the subject. I also liked the way that it provided a good general knowledge of all the sciences without restricting you to one discipline.

"I started my degree at another university, but my girlfriend was based in London so I switched to Kingston because it offered the same course. In hindsight, this was the best move I could have made. 

"My previous uni campus had been a long way out of the town and the local pubs were very unfriendly. Kingston on the other hand is in a lovely area, with everything you could want on your doorstep. It was definitely a better choice.

"As well as the town, I also loved the course. I really liked the fact that you could tailor the modules to suit your interests. My classmates were a great bunch and we gelled really well.  The field trips were brilliant. I remember Spain as a particular highlight. I did the four-year sandwich course and got a really good placement, which included managing a project dealing with land contamination.

"After I graduated, I moved with my girlfriend back to Devon, where I come from.  I got a job managing a local bike shop.  But after nine months I decided that I didn't go to uni for four years to repair bikes.  So I started looking for an environment role.   I saw the job with South West Water (SWW), got an interview and was accepted straight away.  It was the first job I applied for so I was really pleased.

"SWW is responsible for water supply to Devon and Cornwall. My work ranges from dealing with river contamination issues to looking into customer complaints. Last year, I was also on a committee dealing with limiting consumers' exposure to lead in drinking water. SWW is seen as a leader in this field so that was really rewarding. The thing I like most about my work is that it's hugely varied. I travel all over the region and no two days are ever the same. There's always something new to learn.

"My degree applies very directly to my job. Everyday I use something I learnt at uni, even less obvious areas like environmental law and people skills are invaluable.

"With new legislation, the numbers of opportunities in the environmental field are growing.  My eventual aim is to work on a self-employed basis. One of my colleagues did this recently and in just three months he had earned his previous year's salary.

"To anyone who is thinking of studying environmental science at Kingston, I would say: go for it. It's a very good course at a nice university, and Kingston is a lovely area."

"I always intended to become a chartered surveyor, but decided to do a non-surveying undergraduate degree followed by a postgraduate degree in surveying.  Environmental Science interested me and it is broadly connected to surveying.

"I wanted to stay in the south of England and be close to London without being in the centre. My family home was in Sussex so Kingston was perfect (Mum's Sunday roast was just over an hour away!).

"I really enjoyed the course. There was a lot of coursework but it was practical too, which was great.  I hate writing essays and there are relatively few in Environmental Science. The lectures were interesting and the workshops and seminars tied it all together really well.

"It took me a while to settle at uni, but I suddenly clicked and after that absolutely loved it.  I am still in touch with the friends I made there.

"After graduating, I worked at a surveying practice in Brighton, doing my MSc in Estate Management one day a week.  Kingston had taught me to be disciplined.  This really helped with my Masters.

"After Brighton, I worked for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea as an in-house surveyor.  I stayed for two years before sitting my Chartered Surveying Exams (MRICS) and moving to Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker.  I worked in the Landlord and Tenant Team then transferred to Corporate Real Estate.

"My job is to re-gear property portfolios to save large corporate occupiers money - selling off surplus assets or letting surplus lease liabilities, for example.  I am currently a senior surveyor and I'm hoping to be promoted to associate partner in the not-too-distant future.  I like the diversity of my job - it is always a challenge and always busy, but really enjoyable and I work with great people.

"Hardly a day goes past when I don't refer to something I learnt during my undergraduate degree. In commercial property there is a growing emphasis on topics such as environmental case law, environmental impact assessments, landfill sites, brown field sites and duty of care. I am the only person out of a team of 22 with an environmental background so I get asked lots of questions.

"My advice is not to be scared to study something you enjoy.  You can always do a more specialised part-time Masters if you need to. I was sponsored to do my Masters and worked at the same time so it didn't cost me anything (except time).  

"Environmental Science is a highly relevant and practical subject that gives a great grounding for a multitude of careers.   It is a fantastic course that covers a wide variety of subjects and topics, and it's becoming more and more relevant in all walks of life."