Ophelie Humphrey MSci Marine Biology with Study Abroad, 2016

Marine Wildlife Report Writer, Gardline

I would not have got a job as a Marine Naturalist in Iceland if it wasn't for my degree at the NOCS, University of Southampton.

On top of the world-class facilities and teaching, I have found that doing the Study Abroad programme gave me the independence, confidence and desire to travel and work abroad.

Following my 4 month stint in Iceland as a whale watching guide I then went to Montenegro to volunteer on the Montenegrin Dolphin Project, the first long-term cetacean monitoring project in these waters. There I spent a fantastic 2 months and gained many new skills such as land and boat based observation, as well as editing a few manuscripts that will hopefully result in a co-authored publication!

Whilst in Montenegro I was successful in getting a job in the UK; I am now a Marine Wildlife Report Writer with Gardline, Great Yarmouth. This position combines report writing, up to 60 days offshore as an MMO and also analysing environmental data. I don't doubt that having graduated from Southampton has helped me in securing this job, as my degree has given me such a broad range of applicable skills.