Our world-leading environment and sustainability research underpins a wide range of postgraduate programmes. In our Meet our Alumni series we hear from graduates of our MSc courses within the Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability and learn about their experiences at the University of Exeter, Cornwall. Today we hear from Andy Smith who graduated from our MSc Renewable Energy Engineering course.
I chose to study MSc Renewable Energy Engineering because I’ve had a career in engineering for over 40 years and I wanted to update my knowledge and experience so that I could go into the renewable sector. I started my engineering career as a mechanical engineer after doing an apprenticeship and I think it is never too late to stop learning and upskill yourself. I love the idea of being able to give something back in my later career life; I feel it is important to leave this world in the same way I found it or better and I think renewable energy is a way to do this.
I chose the MSc at Exeter because I really did like what the course had to offer in comparison to other universities and I really liked the fact that it is based in Cornwall which is the hub of where renewable energy is happening in the UK. What’s more both my sons studied at the University of Exeter and my wife is also a lecturer at Exeter so it felt like I already had a connection to the University.
My favourite thing about the course so far has been the connection with the lecturers and the content that we are learning. For me the MSc is a reinforcement of my thoughts and ideas about renewable energy and how important it is. It’s given me a better understanding of the details behind renewable energy engineering and helped me to really understand things properly and unlearn the ‘myths’ I had about the sector. I’ve also really enjoyed the climate change module; I had a good grounding of this already but learning about it in such depth has reinforced the details and given me an understanding of the complexities surrounding this issue.
The fact that we have a variety of optional modules to choose from is nice, it’s great to be able to hone your own skills. I put myself out there by choosing modules I didn’t have much knowledge on as I didn’t want to do stuff I’ve been doing for the last 40 years of my career. I’ve really challenged myself to do other things but it’s been great fun as well as tiring and exhausting.
As a mature student I’m a lot older than some of my younger peers on the course, however I haven’t found this a disadvantage. Everyone has been really inclusive and easy to get on with.
There’s a real diversity of backgrounds, ages and experience on the course. For example, I worked on a project with two guys with international backgrounds and a girl from the UK, all much younger than me, but thoroughly enjoyed working with them and they enjoyed learning from my experiences too. It was a nice exchange of age information and knowledge. I was initially worried about being older but soon found that my younger peers may be able to do something in theory, for example using a simulation, but due to my experience I’ve been able to bring a different perspective and show them how things might actually work in the real world.
All our lecturers have been really supportive and done a fantastic job of trying to keep a coherent and progressive information exchange which has been difficult due to online learning. Lecturers have tried to engage us all the time and have invited guest speakers as well to talk about different elements of renewable energy engineering particularly in solar energy. We’ve also had demonstrations of software being used in commercial and industrial settings so it’s all relevant knowledge that we are gaining.
It’s great that our lecturers are always available and have been running online office hours where you can ask for help. They also always answer emails whenever you send them, and you can contact them in lots of ways other ways too. I’ve also found that our tutors are really good at dealing with people’s wellbeing as well and academic issues and always want to give you that support to help you achieve.
After finishing the MSc I’d like to go into the renewable sector for the remainder of my career. I’ve spent all my time in production so this is a complete change in direction for me but it’s enabled me to do something that has a good cause and is worthwhile. Over my lifetime I’ve seen the effects of climate change on our ocean and land and want to help reverse this. I have my own children and I want them to have a good world to grow up in so that is really my drive behind doing this.
It’s never too late to go back and do something different. Yes it’s hard stepping outside your comfort zone and you can feel challenged but as an individual will grow and feel you are doing something positive.
The MSc has given me an opportunity to get into renewables, something I probably wouldn’t have been able to do if I hadn’t done the course. It’s a fantastic course with fantastic lecturers with great connections and if you put the work in you will get the results out that will enable you to move forward and build a better world. I don’t think there’s been one things on this course that hasn’t interested me, it’s all been relevant and interesting.
The Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability brings together experts from across the spectrum of earth and life sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences and business. Our programmes are all designed with a focus on developing solutions to global challenges and creating a better future for our planet and its people. Help lead a global Greener, Healthier and Fairer revolution by studying one of our world-leading, interdisciplinary Masters degrees here at the University of Exeter, Cornwall. See our Masters programmes here.