Alice Codner, MSc Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education

What were you doing before you studied at the University of Edinburgh?

Working as a class teacher and outdoor learning/school farm leader in a primary school in London.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

It’s the only place where you can do this course.

Why did you choose to study this degree?

To build on my experience in outdoor learning, and learn the foundations of what I was doing, and in order to get a job doing it in future.

What did you enjoy most about the programme?

The range of different kinds of learning – outdoor, indoor, residential, presentations, essays, different kinds of research – and the people I met.

What specific skills did you develop?

Research skills, writing skills, canoeing skills

What was the most useful thing you learned in your lectures, workshops and tutorials?

Confidence in my ability to lead outdoor learning.

Why would you recommend the programme to others?

It’s varied, fun, interesting, and there’s a lot of freedom to research whatever your particular area of interest is.

In what way do you think the degree will contribute to your career?

It makes it clear to employers that I’m serious about working in outdoor learning and know the theory as well as the practice.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying this programme at Edinburgh?

Try not to have too set expectations, but instead try to stay open to learning in all the different situations.  Bring your whole self – the more you put in, the more you will get out.  Have fun, ask lots of questions, try new approaches.

What is your current role or occupation?

I’ve just been offered a job as an outdoor learning officer working with schools around Gloucestershire.

How did your experience at Edinburgh help you get where you are today?

It gave me confidence that I was on the right lines, with my previous outdoor learning experiments and that there are theories and research to back up my practice. 

It was also fun and gave me a year to recover from both primary school teaching and my lockdown experiences and get back on my feet, with a whole lot of new friends!

What advice would you have for someone looking to work in your industry?

Regarding outdoor environmental education jobs: It’s generally low paid and competitive to get into, so if you really want to do it then you’ll probably need to be a qualified teacher or at least to get as much hands on experience as possible.  If you haven’t got that through work, consider volunteering - the masters alone won’t get you the job, but with plenty of experience as well, you’ll have a chance!