Theo Staszynski BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences graduate

Theo aspires to make a difference to the natural world
Theo Stszynski

  • @Course studied: BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences

  • @Current job title: Senior Biodiversity Specialist

  • @Current employer: Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE)

 

I wanted to study a subject that I felt would keep me interested and provide me with a career pathway that would have a positive impact for our planet.

My motivation

As I lived close to the New Forest and had taken an interest early on in life around our natural world, I wanted to study a subject that I felt would keep me interested and provide me with a career pathway that would have a positive impact for our planet. I found Biological Sciences would offer a broad range of research to explore, and I could select further specialisms.

Why I wanted to study at Plymouth

I had visited Plymouth as part of a sixth-form college trip to Dartmoor and toured the university as part of that. I was really impressed with the university, staff and facilities and could see myself living in the city. I later went to an open day and talked through the Biological Sciences course; the range of options open to you when completing the course sounded great especially as I didn’t know what direction I wanted to take my career in at the time.

Fieldtrips

In my first year we visited Slapton Ley, which was a great introduction to some of the more practical elements of the course and included a great introduction to ecological work. One of our lecturers had experience working in the private sector and explained how the work we were doing would be relevant. This was really helpful for me as I could make the connection early on in the course as to some of the career avenues that may be open to me.
In our second year we visited the Azores, which was a brilliant trip. We focused on studying some of the endemic species of the islands and visited some of the volcanic areas which was a great experience. I’d later draw upon the skills I had learnt on these two trips to use my fieldwork skills in my work as an ecologist.
Azores
Slapton fieldtrip
Slapton Ley fieldtrip

My career path

I continued to study at the University of Plymouth and obtained an MSc in Environmental Consultancy. After graduation, I joined a small ecological consultancy and spent a season surveying for bats, reptiles, and habitats across the country.
I then started working as a Radioactive Waste Officer on MOD owned sites in the South of England. I moved within the company to the Environment team where I could gain experience in areas that were much more suited to my interests. I was able to work on a wide variety of projects within environmental management and start working with the site ecologist to further improve ecological related skills. Through that experience I've been able to gain species-specific handling licenses, support ecological work on infrastructure projects, carry out complex assessments and regularly undertake species monitoring.
I've now moved into a senior position within the team focusing entirely on the biodiversity & heritage of our sites.

Most rewarding achievements

One of the most rewarding achievements to date is achieving the Associate Membership at the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management. For me, this was recognition of 4 years’ worth of work, study and volunteering and a milestone in my career to build upon.
Mostly, I feel that working in such a varied career pathway in which I continue learning new skills is incredibly rewarding. There are so many specialisms to learn from whether that is arboriculture, herpetology, GIS mapping, ornithology etc.
Monitoring populations of reptiles and seeing improved results after improved habitat management has been a real highlight.

Through studying a Biological Sciences degree you'll get a much deeper appreciation of the natural world and how it works from the micro to the macro scale. I think this breadth of knowledge is really important to be able to appreciate the connections across the world.

It will inspire new ideas of how global-scale problems can be understood and mitigated with your own individual contribution whether that is research, conservation or work in business to find sustainable solutions. I've found it to be a very solid foundation to enable me to understand and apply current research and innovation in averting biodiversity loss.

Passionate about biology in all its forms?
Study a broad biology degree with equal emphasis on lab and field skills.

Build an understanding of biology from microorganisms to mammals, and from woodland to hydrothermal vents, gaining state-of-the-art practical and transferable skills highly sought by employers, graduating ready to shape the future of fields like ecosystem management and biotechnology.
Biological Sciences students on a fieldtrip (full bleed)