Stephanie Campion – BSc (Hons) Applied Marine Biology; MSc Marine Renewable Energy graduate

Stephanie talks to us about her career since graduating
Stephanie Campion

  • 3Stephanie Campion, Senior GIS Analyst, EN Engineering, USA

After graduation...

As soon as I graduated I was awarded an internship with Ramboll Environ as an Environmental Consultant. Since then I have worked for marine renewable energy developers and engineering firms performing feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and many projects utilizing Graphical Information Systems (GIS). 

I now live in Colorado, USA, working for EN Engineering on electrical transmission projects. However, I hope to move to New Zealand next year to focus on more ocean energy projects, as that’s where my passion is.

Advice for anyone wanting to get into the same line of work?

Take every little opportunity that comes your way and strive for every opportunity that doesn’t! It’s a tough and competitive market out there. When I graduated in 2010 I struggled to get a job, so I decided to return to university and get my masters. I then got a job offer straight away, as did several of my classmates. Do your best to get as much free/paid experience as you can, in addition to your degree.

Tell us about your research project

My project title was 'Tidal Resource Assessment of the Little Russel'. My interest lies in researching and implementing feasible sites for terrestrial and marine renewable energy production, and understanding the challenges our current electrical distribution network faces to implement change.

I particularly enjoyed performing a combination of fieldwork and office work which helped to provide me with a greater understanding of the data I was working with and a strong perspective of the wider project goals. 

I previously worked in the environmental planning department for Tidal Lagoon Power. I played a pivotal role in the creation of the planning application and environmental impact assessment for the world’s first man-made tidal lagoon power generating station. I am pleased to announce that it was granted consent in June 2015,.

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Your time at Plymouth

My time at the University of Plymouth really helped to diversify my skill set and open my eyes to the new technology that was available for marine renewable energy. In addition, I really enjoyed how my assessments were tied to the practical fieldwork that we conducted at the wave hub, and field monitoring conducted out on the Research Vessel Falcon Spirit. It helped me to understand the relevance of my papers and the need to perform research.

The University is a great learning environment, located in a fantastic part of the country. I would recommend Plymouth due to its state of the art facilities, computer labs, prime location, excellent teachers, and your ability to perform new and exciting research. Anytime I wanted to take my project in a new direction I always had the support from my mentors, as long as I showed I was also willing to work hard.

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