New beginnings.

My personal statement:

“I believe we should all do jobs we love.” This is how I started my first personal statement. It was a phrase I paraded around with no intention of actualising it within my own life.

I had finished college, and due to a natural proficiency in computer science along with an indifference towards the subject, I prepared to move away from home, and begin a university education for a job I did not desire. The summer proceeding my application I discovered my true love for marine life. I spent the majority of that summer reading, I researched shark species after shark species, enamoured by ecology and fascinated by the biodiversity of the ocean. “I believe we should all do jobs we love”. My initial, disingenuous statement echoed in my mind until I changed course.

My foundation year of studying marine biology only furthered my love for the ocean. We studied many key aspects of marine biology, to name a few:

• Conservation, lectures which expanded my understanding of marine protected areas, and developed my specific love for mangrove ecosystems.
• The results of human interference in the ocean, a frustrating topic which highlighted to me the many issues marine species face.
• Science communication, these projects taught me the importance of relaying information to the public.

During my time in university I particularly enjoyed learning to use R Studio, combining my understanding of coding with my love for marine biology was a dream come true. However, I enjoyed writing the most. I revelled in the assessments that required me to research topics and then convey the information , literature reviews and case studies. Paired with my newfound greater understanding of science communications I realised my dream job, science journalism. I wish to inform the public on preserving the oceans and inspire awe in readers similar to that which many marine science journalists inspired in me over that summer.

 For personal reasons I am returning home, wishing to continue my education, I am reapplying for university nearby. The marine biology course Salford offers appears to be excellent, and I would love nothing more than to continue my studies here. i would love to learn more on every aspect of marine biology, from how animal interact with each other, to the economic relevance of fisheries or the importance of marine biomechanics. Studying at Salford would give me many opportunities to build practical skills, learn about conservation efforts and learn more of biodiversity. I wish to take the degree which I would earn from Salford and apply it to working in environmental journalism. Following university I plan to get an apprenticeship, I will build my journalism skills to pair with the knowledge I will have gained from my time studying at Salford.

When researching Salford university I was excited by all of the societies and sports clubs available. In my spare time I enjoy reading, Jane Austin, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Donna Tart all come to mind and so the ‘reading between the spines society’ is definitely one that I wish to look into. At my previous university I was apart of the pole fitness club which held varsity along with Salford, having already met the girls on Salfords pole team I’m incredibly excited to join the club. The extracurricular activities offered at Salford university are most definitely something I’m wishing to take part in.

I work over summer breaks in an office, full-time in an administrative role for a recruitment agency. It’s a job I’m very appreciative to have, I mostly answer calls and handle client data, I have learnt a lot from my time there. Dealing with staff queries and answering phone calls has built much confidence in my communication skills. I’ve learnt core data handling skills, as well as writing skills, both of which will be transferable to my university education.

I am reaching out to the university of Salford to ask for the opportunity to study marine biology, as I truly do believe that we should all do jobs we love.