Masters Degree Fund

Graduating with debt from University is a death sentence for many students, I am no exception....and I have done it twice!! Not only did I go and do 4 years at Swansea University - successfully graduating with a BSc in Marine Biology, but I also followed up with a year at Portsmouth University to successfully achieve my MSc in Applied Aquatic Biology. My name is Rachael West, and I am still paying back the bank for my Masters funding!

I wanted to be a Marine Biologist since I was about 12 years old, when I met my grandfathers best friend who had lived a very full life and a wonderful career out in the field, and lecturing at Southampton University. I had also been brought up to love and respect the sea life, and followed my Mothers love for whales and dolphins, having posters and ornaments all over my room.

Due to the recession, there are subsequently no entry level jobs out there for me, with the right wage, that would cover my outgoings! I would have to take a substantial pay cut to be able to get the experience I need to get the decent job my Masters would have sorted me out with! I certainly don't want to get in to even more debt or go bankrupt. So, right now, I am sat in an office doing a normal 9-5 job, writing to you guys - to help make my dreams come true! If I could raise £10,000 to pay off my Masters loan - I could afford to take that leap in to the marine biology world and do good making the sea a safer place for marine life. After specialising in ecotoxicology, I decided that in the grand scheme of things, I would love to work for a company such as BP, and be able to do environmental impact assessments for them on new rigs in the ocean etc., but for that; I need the relevent experience!

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and consider my cause, ANY help at all will be greatly appreciated!!

Rachael West x