While pondering career choices after leaving Westhill Academy Natalie Duffus was certain of one thing - she wanted to save the world! A keen conservationist, Natalie was drawn to the School of Biology at the University of Aberdeen. Surrounded by Aberdeen's abundance of nature and ecological diversity, the natural choice for Natalie was a BSc in Conservation Biology.
Natalie has loved her time at the University, particularly getting her hands dirty volunteering in the outdoors as a member of the Conservation Society, getting stuck into invasive plant removal in the community or simply enjoying the Aberdeenshire scenery.
“I've greatly enjoyed my time at the university. Some of my highlights definitely have to be the field courses I took in Bettyhill and Cromarty. They were so much fun and a fantastic opportunity to gain skills and of course make friends!” Natalie adds.
It hasn’t all been a walk in the park however, and graduating is bittersweet for Natalie, particularly as she hasn’t seen her fellow graduates and lecturers as much as she would like but she is looking forward to making up for that once restrictions allow.
Although Natalie found completing her degree during the pandemic challenging at times, she is already looking forward to continuing her education at the University of Oxford where she will study for a Doctorate in insect conservation and environmental law.
Natalie adds: “Throughout my time at University, I struggled with mental health issues, so to be graduating with a strong GPA and a positive future, feels to me, a massive achievement.
"I think everyone graduating this year should be exceptionally proud, regardless of grades or degree class, we finished university in a global pandemic!”
ENDS