Rachel Quick MA Maritime Archaeology (2010)

Training Officer for the Nautical Archaeology Society

Hi, I'm Rachel Quick and I studied MA Maritime Archaeology (2010) within Archaeology at the University of Southampton.

You come away from the course having learnt key skills that really help prepare you for work in the industry.

What did you enjoy about the course?
The course was fantastic, as you cover so much in your year of study and the lecturers are all very supportive in getting you experience in the field which is crucial to archaeology. You come away from the course having learnt key skills that really help prepare you for work in the industry. They have a really great team in the archaeology department.

I also loved the diversity of students on my course, our range of backgrounds, interests and experience really made it an enjoyable experience. From an intense year of study I made friends for life, and feel lucky to now rank alongside my old lecturers as colleagues in my field of work.

What is Southampton like as a place to study?
The Maritime Masters Course at Southampton is seen as one of the best programmes in the world and it was amazing to be learning from some of the top academics in the field of archaeology.

The University itself has everything you could want as a student and the city is so diverse you will never be bored when you need to take a break from studying.

When you graduated what was your ambition and do you feel you’ve achieved it?
On graduating I wanted to work in Maritime Archaeology, and engage others in a subject I feel so passionately about. That is exactly what I get to do every day working for the Nautical Archaeology Society teaching, working with children as young as 5 to adults in their 70’s, here in the UK and abroad. I feel a real sense of achievement.

Tell us about your current job?
My current role entails teaching as a NAS Senior Tutor on courses around the world, being responsible for the organisation, administration and delivery of the NAS Training Programme in the UK. I also work as the NAS in house illustrator and designer and update and maintain the NAS website and social media pages.

I am also in charge of the children’s activities run by the society. Designing educational and fun activities to teach children of all ages (5-18) about maritime archaeology and underwater heritage.

We also get to dive on some amazing wreck sites around the UK, helping to protect and record these sites for future generations to explore and enjoy.

How did your course help you in your current role?
The course helped prepare me in many ways through providing a variety of experience and skills that have been able to transfer and apply in my day to day work.

What is your ambition?
I want to help get maritime archaeology into the eyes and hearts of the general public so that it is no longer seen as a ‘stuffy’ subject. Archaeology is about culture, which people are living themselves each day; you don’t need to be Indiana Jones to take part.

What advice would you give to a student starting their degree at Southampton?
Absorb everything you can; the University, the city, and the people you meet. It is an experience of a lifetime and not one you will ever forget.