‘Doing degree changed my outlook on sustainability’
CHLOE Wilson has just handed in her university dissertation. This is a big moment for every student, but for Chloe it’s even more poignant.
“If you had asked me a few years ago, I never would have done a degree,” she explained.
“I always tried hard in school but it never came easily. I wasn’t very academic.”
Consequently, Chloe decided not to do A-levels and instead signed up for Level 3 business at Pembrokeshire College and then completed an HNC and HND. An HND then allows students to enter a bachelor’s degree at year three.
“I really pushed myself and was surprised at how much I enjoyed the business course,” she said.
“I realised that I could turn my HND into a degree, so I moved to University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) for my final year and did the business and management BA. Looking back now, I’m so happy I made that decision.”
The business and management degree at UWTSD is an innovative programme at Carmarthen Business School and it is aimed at preparing graduates for employment in the rapidly-changing 21st-century environment.
In a changing world,
UWTSD recognises businesses have to adapt and become part of the solution, rather than the problem, by taking responsibility for people and place.
The programme has sustainable and ethical thinking at its core, and students challenge existing business models and debate business solutions for a more sustainable future.
Chloe, a 20-year-old from Llanteg, Pembrokeshire, started her third year in the middle of the pandemic but wasn’t fazed by the virtual university experience as she enjoyed working online and studying from home.
It also meant she could become fully immersed in the modules she was studying.
She said: “One of the modules was called Globally Responsible Business and it really opened my eyes.
“It focused on singleuse plastic and how damaging it was for the environment and it led me to change my dissertation topic.
“For my dissertation, I looked at our reuse behaviour and the study of consumer perception towards reusable containers. We are working towards a circular economy and it’s much better to avoid single-use plastics and use reusable containers instead.
“In Pembrokeshire, there are a lot of zero waste stores and it made me question why supermarkets aren’t adopting this concept.”
The research inspired Chloe to change her daily habits and question how she could be more environmentally conscious.
“We now try to source our milk from milk vending machines and I’ve stopped buying plastic bottles,” said Chloe.
“Small steps can make a big difference, but I’m also interested in how businesses can make a profit by being sustainable as that is a really good business model.
“The degree has really changed my outlook on sustainability and singleuse plastic.
“I didn’t realise how damaging single-use plastic is for the environment.
“I think it just boils down to the convenience factor – it’s easier to buy a product in plastic.”
Alongside inspiring modules, the business and management degree at UWTSD also prepares students for industry by putting them in touch with experts.
The university has strong relationships with regional businesses to help students grow their contacts and aid their job search when the degree ends.
Chloe explained: “One of my lecturers organised a meeting every Friday so we could interact with past students and managers in the industry.
“We’ve also had lessons in CV writing and the importance of Linkedin. I’ve found those sessions really useful and it has helped me prepare for the industry.”
With her degree concluding at the end of May, Chloe is looking forward to the future and she is now armed with a new passion for sustainability.
“I don’t think sustainability and the environment would have been part of my plan before this degree, but I’ve found it so interesting and it’s definitely changed my perception.
“The course has opened up a lot of doors for me.”
UWTSD is hosting a range of online taster sessions and open days for students to explore courses further.
The university says its innovative programmes are built on ethical and sustainable principles, and students will be part of a supportive learning community with enthusiastic, research-active staff.
For more information visit https://uwtsd.ac.uk