Óisín Mag Uidhir

Ecology and conservation is a subject that’s always been close to my heart. Having grown up in rural Ireland, I was always surrounded by nature, and have therefore witnessed first-hand the impacts of deforestation, habitat fragmentation and human influence.

I was raised on a stable diet of David Attenborough documentaries. Although I never knew what his job was, I always knew that’s what I wanted to do. I saw the increase in biodiversity and global regeneration during the pandemic, and I wonder if we can do it again, but in a way that works for everyone, where people and nature are complimentary rather than competitive.

There were a number of reasons why I chose Edge Hill University. It is a modern university with an excellent campus. The degree is very practical based and offers real-world, hands-on experience, that will ultimately increase future employability.

You’ve got the best of both worlds. You’re near the city if needs be, but you have the tranquillity of the town as well. The location of Edge Hill’s campus was excellent for me as it has also allowed me to continue football coaching with clubs like Wigan Athletic, and Liverpool. I have been a football coach in Ireland for the last decade, so being able to continue this has been great.

I love the abundance of practical experience and trips within the course. Across my three years, I’ll have been to Tenerife, Wales, the Lake District, and Cyprus on residential trips at no extra cost, I’ve also done a tree climbing course and received my canopy access certificate.

I was given the opportunity to work in partnership with Blackpool Zoo. I am studying their Bornean orangutans and western lowland gorillas. No matter what your area of interest is within the department, there’s someone or something for you.

At Blackpool Zoo, my dissertation research is looking to better understand the social and behavioural aspects of life in gorillas and orangutans. Essentially, I’ve set out to see, how do captive behaviours compare to those in the wild? I’ve done this through intense observational studies. The project has been very enjoyable and rewarding. Allowing me the opportunity to experience zoo conservation first hand, and have the freedom and support, to try things, make mistakes and have a supportive personal tutor to fall back on for guidance. I have built up a relationship with some of the apes at the zoo, which has been a joy to be a part of.

In employability terms, anything that makes you stand out from a crowd is a massive plus. I feel that the experience I have gained will be very beneficial moving forward as it is very distinctive and unique on a CV or in an interview.

I have hugely benefitted from the practical experience my degree has provided me. This includes the unique opportunities, making contacts, and making use of the student opportunity fund which has helped me with attending a career development course.

I can’t recommend the service of the Careers Team enough either. In my final year I have had a few discussions with the careers team, to get a better understanding of what I want to do in the future, they’re very supportive and even check in after meetings to see if you had any luck in your endeavours, or any new questions.

My advice would be to go to the open days, offer holder days, and talk to the students and staff. You’ll never know where you want to go based off a piece of paper and a picture, but once you see the place and meet the people decisions begin to become much easier.