Caitlin Jeffries
Don't stress! Uni can be hard work, there's no doubt about it, but it's also fantastic fun.
What degree you are currently studying?
I'm in my 3rd year of a Bachelor of Environmental Biology degree (started in 2018)
What did you do before you started your course?
I initially started off in the Bachelor of Marine Biology. I loved it, but started to worry about job prospects after graduation, so I took 6 months off to move to Melbourne to start studying Ecology and Conservation Biology at Monash University.
Not even a semester there, and I realised how much I missed studying at UTS! So here I am again, a year later, now studying the Bachelor of Environmental Biology at UTS.
What motivated you to study this degree/major?
I absolutely love working outdoors and in nature. Working on the water was what initially drew me to the Bachelor of Marine Biology, but since then I've realised that I just want to be outdoors- it doesn't have to be on the water! With a broader focus, the Bachelor of Environmental Biology allows me to choose marine subjects while not neglecting the terrestrial things.
What do you enjoy most about your degree?
I love all the field trips! I've never been one to enjoy sitting down behind a desk and studying, so the opportunity to get out in the field is fantastic.
Why did you choose to study at UTS?
When I first walked into UTS, one Open Day when I was in Year 10, I felt this vibrant, exciting energy that seemed to fill the spaces and the students here.
While the other universities I visited seemed old and sophisticated, UTS felt alive and exciting. That was the vibe I wanted from my uni!
What is it like to study at UTS Science?
It's great! The lecturers are involved in some awesome research. Most of my lecturers have this infectious passion for their topics. They help you feel excited about the work that's being done in Science right now.
There's always something new and innovative going on around campus. The energy is fantastic!
What advice you would give to students studying this degree?
You don't have to be the best student in High School! (I certainly wasn't!)
Just try to find something in every course that you find exciting. Something that sparks your interest. Once you find that, studying becomes that much easier.
And honestly? Don't stress! Uni can be hard work, there's no doubt about it, but it's also fantastic fun.
What would you like to do once you complete your degree?
I'd like to work as an environmental consultant. I think that we need people working to translate current research and scientific understanding into something that people can understand... and I think I can be that person!
Alternatively, I'll go and do a Masters (and PhD?) in Commerce/Economics... to try and combine an environmental understanding with economics to see if I can improve the way we value our ecosystems.
What other activities do you participate/do at uni?
I work pretty hard outside of uni, but I still try to take advantage of some of the clubs and societies! I've tried a few new sports at uni...and I went on exchange to Peru over the summer holidays! (Hands down, one of the best experiences of my life).
Tell us something interesting about yourself
I was always much more interested in sport than school! I've competed in both State and National Championships for Sailing, States for Rowing and was part of a Talented Athlete's Program throughout high school. I'll be competing in my first World Championships (sailing) this January. Definitely not your stereotypical science nerd! (Although I do love my nerdy t-shirts)
