Keir McAndrew

Keir McAndrew, from Preston, graduated with an MA in Environmental Management in 1999.

Why did you choose to study at Dundee?

Dundee University offered both a great location with access to some of the wilder parts of Scotland close at hand whilst at the same time providing a course that appeared more practical in its application when compared to other degree programmes on offer at the time.

What was the best thing about your course and why?

Whilst the course contained the usual requirement to learn certain facts and figures it also contained a large element of personal development, focusing on the skills that are required in the workplace – project and time management, presentational skills, research skills amongst others – all of which have proven to be very helpful in my career to date.  Of course the other great thing about my course was the people I studied and graduated with who all had a real commitment to environmental matters and a desire to learn.

What information do applicants need to know before starting this course?

That the course itself will not direct you towards a specific type of work.  Rather, it will prepare you for a range of jobs.

What was your best learning experience and why?

One of the most important learning experiences concerned public speaking.  Upon starting at Dundee University my experience of public speaking was limited.  However, the opportunities offered as part of the course to present projects and to speak to a large audience of other students helped me to overcome my fears and have allowed me to apply and further develop my public speaking in my career.

What was your best University experience and why?

Dundee University benefits from its campus based nature. The University campus provides so many opportunities for students to study, play sports and to relax that I never grew tired of going to lessons each day.

What sports activities or clubs/societies were you involved with?

At the time I was the Vice-President of the student planners association of Dundee (SPAD).  Whilst this sounds like a rather dull club it managed to combine learning with social events including the never dull SPAD ball.  The support provided by the Student Union was invaluable in supporting the work of such clubs and societies.

What was your experience of settling into life in Dundee when you first arrived?

The first couple of weeks were the hardest, particularly having moved hundreds of miles from my home in Northern England at the time.  However, with the friendships that I made soon after starting and with the welcoming nature of lecturers I soon started to enjoy the possibilities that studying in Dundee had to offer.

Do you have any advice for potential new students?

One of the best decisions I made was to visit the University before applying. That first trip cemented in my mind that Dundee would be a great city in which to study.

What are you doing now?

I presently work for the European Commission in Brussels on EU law concerning industrial emissions, making sure that member states meet their obligations in preventing and minimising pollution from the largest industries in Europe.