Nina Schroeder Master of Science in Marine Science policy and law, 2012

Scientific Associate, Federal Office for Nature Conservation

I decided to come Southampton, and especially to NOCS, because of its international reputation as an excellent research and educational facility. Moreover, the uniqueness of the masters degree I am enrolled in gives me the opportunity to enhance my qualifications and provides me with training in essential skills that will be very useful for my aspired career. Training in legal and policy issues as well as contemporary cutting-edge science will allow me to bridge a gap between policy-makers and scientists and hopefully contribute to better implementation of environmental protection and conservation. During my time here I have acquired a number of new skills, which will help me achieve this goal. These include skills have been gained through boat work, laboratory work and sea survival training, but also practical work on maritime boundaries and legal issues. In addition to that, the work placement I will be doing for my dissertation will allow me to get some hands-on experience and a sense of what is needed in order to be employable. The placement allows me to contribute to solving a real problem and thus gives me the feeling that the project actually matters.

I decided to come to Southampton, and especially to NOCS, because of its international reputation as an excellent research and educational facility.

Although my time at NOCS has been very demanding, with constant deadlines and a high level of quality of work expected at all times, it has also been rewarding in numerous aspects. The lecturers are very engaged and helpful and the course is intense as well as interesting. I feel this course has improved my employability and knowledge immensely and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in science as well as the legal and policy issues involved in nature conservation and governing of our seas.

Upon graduation, I became an advisor for Natural England. Since 2013, I have worked as a scientific associate at the Federal Office for Nature Conservation in Germany.