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Growing up in a coastal area, Tayla Fairthorne always felt a connection to nature and an understanding of its importance to human life – this lead her to study the environment with RMIT.

I’m studying this double degree because I want to protect and preserve our environment, as well as share knowledge about environmental issues and create a greater sense of stewardship in society.

I chose RMIT for its practical components after consulting students from RMIT and other universities. RMIT has a strong emphasis on being work ready and provides a number of opportunities for you to make industry links.

One of these valuable connections was my work placement with the Marine Mammal Foundation. This experience allowed me to apply my field research knowledge on research trips, further develop my communication skills through community engagement activities and provided me with an insight into working in a professional office environment.

“I love studying the environment because I’m contributing to help create a better world.”

I also spent eight days at the remote, tropical Lizard Island, studying the ocean and making new friends and industry contacts. Fieldwork components like this have been a great highlight for me and the teachers have been truly inspiring.

As part of my final year, I am in the process of completing a research project that is allowing me to take the lead and focus on my passions from throughout the degree. This major project has been both challenging and rewarding, and has also provided great networking opportunities and professional experience skills.

Right now I don’t have a dream job, but I can’t wait to get working and see what I can achieve and how far my abilities can take me. It’s exciting to know that I’ll have a unique set of skills by completing both environmental and social science, and I believe that the challenges faced by society today and in the future, require a combination of both.