With growing ambitions to work in sustainability consultancy, Poppy's BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability course at the University of Reading was a natural choice, combining the right course with the right environment.
“I really love how green the campus is! It’s lovely to walk to lectures through trees and green space. I chose to study Environmental Management here due to the University’s commitment to sustainability – it feels good to be studying this subject at a university that practices what it teaches!”
Poppy adds:
“What I really like about this course is the wide range of module choices, allowing you to tailor your experience on the course to your own interests, or to keep your options open and choose a range of very different modules. I’ve particularly enjoyed learning about corporate social responsibility and global sustainability challenges.
"I also feel the hands-on field work and development of practical skills have really strengthened my understanding of the subject.”
As part of her course, Poppy completed a short work experience placement with West Northamptonshire Council to gain insight into what it is like to work in an environmental role.
“During my short placement, I gained valuable experience of being in both an office and field environment. I was able to attend professional meetings, conduct fieldwork when shadowing the environmental wardens, and dealt with community issues such as waste in the town centre.
"I also gained insight into the collection of data for sustainability reporting. I was able to network and gain contacts within the sustainability and environment industries that will be useful when I graduate.”
Moving into her final year, Poppy is looking forward to focusing on her independent research project. This project allows students to take an aspect of the course they are most passionate about and turn it into a dissertation.
“I have chosen to develop a project on the environmental impacts of the Transport for London (TfL) integrated transport network.
"I find that I am particularly interested in public transport systems and their impact on the environment, and the potential for their development to reduce road traffic emissions and help urban areas reduce their overall carbon footprint. This will involve collecting data surrounding emissions production and air pollution, as well as public behaviour surveying and the use of geographical information systems (GIS) to map areas worst affected by traffic-related air pollution."