School of Social and Political Science

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Why did you choose to study your programme? And why Edinburgh?

Having just completed an undergraduate degree at Durham University in Anthropology and Sociology, I felt as though I had only just scratched the surface.  Therefore, I was keen to study further and really dig into what interested me the most - this turned out to be the themes of identity and place. An MSc in Sociology and Global Change at the University of Edinburgh was, for me, a perfect chance to delve into the detail of these themes, as well as many other aspects of social sciences such as nationality, gender and development, and global social change. The course allowed me to step beyond the theoretical aspects of academia, to apply what I learnt to the world around me. Thinking about the career that I was hoping to build beyond the course and the University of Edinburgh, this was perfect for me. 

As for the university itself, I was drawn to its international reputation and, therefore the international academics and themes that characterises the university’s teaching. I was also drawn to the city itself, the central placement of the university and the beautiful and historical buildings. It really meant I was able to absorb myself in the city, meet new people, and fall in love with the new place I was living in! 

How did you get to where you are?

I am particularly interested in society, people, and the world that we co-create for ourselves to operate within. My masters at Edinburgh really showed me that. I often take an inherently sociological perspective of the world and was keen to ensure that my career allowed me to keep this social perspective at the heart of my work. It became clear that working in sustainability was a brilliant way to affect positive change in the world by centring both the social and political in my every day. 

Whilst studying at Edinburgh, I was working flexibly as an ESG Consultant at a construction company which complimented my learnings well, particularly with the interest I had taken in people and place. My experience there, complimented by my degrees, set me up well for finding a full-time job in sustainability. 

After graduating from Edinburgh, I went travelling for a few months, exploring South America, whilst also taking some time to apply to roles. Excitingly, I landed a job as a Climate Change and Sustainability Consultant at EY, starting the year after I graduated. As soon as I started at EY, I knew it was the perfect role for me. I still, to this day, apply the sociological perspectives I learnt during my MSc, allowing me to consider the social at the centre of the climate change issues we all face and that my clients are trying to tackle. I typically tend to have a couple of client projects running alongside each other. These vary significantly across the sustainability spectrum, from conducting a culture assessment of a client’s workforce to assessing carbon price exposure or modelling decarbonisation potential and mapping out a transition plan to help the company reach its net zero target. I particularly enjoy the variety of clients and types of projects that I am able to take on as part of my role - it gives me a chance to really explore the depth of climate change issues across the globe, as well as collaborating with the people that are supporting the drive for a greener world. I hope to continue evolving my career at EY, building stronger relationships with my colleagues and clients, supporting the transition to a sustainable everyday.

How have you used the knowledge and skills gained from your time at Edinburgh in your career journey? What did you gain from your time at the University?

My time at Edinburgh helped me develop my perspective of the world, to understand the cultures, people, and thinking beyond just my every day. This has turned out to be incredibly important when working with different clients and international companies across the world. It also helped me to really figure out what I wanted to do in my career, due to all the inspiring people, academics, and careers support available. I ultimately understood that working in sustainability is the perfect balance of interacting with the world, both from a climate perspective, as well as a social one. 

As for extra-curricular activities, I played for the University’s netball team which was a brilliant chance to meet people outside my course. I still play netball today, both for an EY team and a local team, despite the busyness of work and everyday life -  I think that my drive to do so still is testament to the incredible experience I had at Edinburgh University Netball Club (EUNC) whilst at the university.

What 3 words describe your time studying at the School of Social and Political Science?

Insightful, motivating, creative.

What is your favourite memory from your time studying at the University of Edinburgh?

The people I met at University are now friends for life.

What advice would you give yourself if you were just starting your academic journey?

Take the opportunities that are given to you to really dig into your subject and to utilise the breadth of knowledge around you - go to the office hours, read around all topics that interest you, and really make the most of what’s on offer.

Written 2025