Phil Duddell MEnvSci Environmental Sciences

Operations Director - The Olive Consultancy

I have directly used my degree for my subsequent career in a number of ways. It has been enormously helpful (I often find myself referring back to books and notes I have kept) and I continue to add to the knowledge obtained through further research.

What did you enjoy about the course?
The range of anecdotes from some of the lecturers (good or bad), the field trips, working with fellow students and the standard of lectures and research. There is a good choice available within the degree course and the multi-disciplinary nature meant that you came across students from a range of Schools, based around a good Environmental Science core. This added to the breadth of understanding but also meant mixing with a range of students, adding to the enjoyment.

What’s Southampton like as a place to be a student?
There is an excellent range of facilities at the University. The sports facilities at Highfield Campus are good enough to tempt anyone away from lectures (if it weren’t for the standard of the lectures!), while the range of sports and other societies is very wide. The City itself is full of green spaces and easy to get around, with the fantastic Common well used by students all year, together with many good clubs and bars.

Was your degree useful for your career?
I have directly used my degree for my subsequent career in a number of ways. It has been enormously helpful (I often find myself referring back to books and notes I have kept) and I continue to add to the knowledge obtained through further research.

Tell us about your career since graduation
While at Southampton I undertook a work placement at The Olive Consultancy, a growing Sustainability Consultancy, and never left! As Operations Director I am involved in managing and delivering a range of projects for Public and Private sector clients such as implementation of Environmental Management Systems, Research, Resource management advice and Sustainability Strategy. Having continued to add to my qualifications after University I now also deliver a range of training which is particularly enjoyable.

What advice would you give to a student starting out on a ES degree at Southampton?
Be open to ideas, be organised, be prepared to use all the excellent sources of information and advice available, learn to understand what the ‘business case’ for all environmental management is and learn how to work well as a team. Above all, throw yourself into it and enjoy!

Why did you choose to study ES at Southampton?
I chose to study Environmental Science at Southampton because of its reputation as one of the UK’s leading Centres for Environmental Science. I also liked the welcoming atmosphere, the range of Pathway/module options and the inter-disciplinary approach.