Vojta Hybl

I got interested in geology after learning about volcanoes in my first year of high school. Once I decided that I wanted to study it at university, I started exploring my options and set my sights on Edinburgh. I loved the wide range of courses I could choose from to really tailor my degree to my interests. I had never visited Edinburgh (nor Scotland) before that, so it was a bit of a gamble but it definitely paid off. I met so many amazing people whilst studying here and learnt so much, not just about the Earth but about myself too (I know it sounds cliché but it's true!).

I will always remember the field trips. Putting what we were taught in lectures into practice was invaluable and made it so much easier for me to learn. Being able to choose courses I was most interested in made the four years more enjoyable as well, as I could explore different areas of Earth sciences. Plus, everyone in the department is so friendly and willing to help, from the lecturers to the student support team!

The ability to choose my own dissertation topic and then go and research it for a few months is an experience I will never forget! I decided to study glaciovolcanism - what happens when lava erupts underneath ice - a topic which was mentioned just briefly in a lecture. I travelled to Eyjafjalljökull in Iceland to map a few features on the volcano that had never been mapped before to figure out how exactly they formed. What has stayed with me most is the experience of immersing myself in a place and a topic and finding ways to answer a research question.

Pursue your interests and make connections, even if they are outside your degree interest. You never know how they might help you in the future! The great thing about the Scottish system is that you can choose courses outside your own degree* - I picked archaeology and astrobiology, for example.

*One of the best things about a Scottish undergraduate degree is the amount of electives (called 'option courses') you can study. You have the opportunity to take a significant number of courses outside your degree in Years 1 and 2.

A challenging but eye-opening journey.

After graduating, I decided to continue my studies and began a Master's degree in Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education, also at The University of Edinburgh. It has been a very different experience from my undergrad, but I found ways to combine my knowledge of geology and geography with my love for teaching.

During my degree, I also started developing my freelance science illustration business, which I have grown over the last year. This venture opened so many doors: I have worked with National Museums Scotland, Dynamic Earth, Scottish Geology Trust, European Geosciences Union and more, on various creative projects.

I love when someone who was not interested in rocks before suddenly sees how fascinating they are by engaging with my art. And also working with people who are as excited as I am about teaching people to look at our world in new ways!

Talk to people! The more well-connected you are, the more opportunities you will get.

Interested in studying Geology? Our Earth Sciences and Environment programmes now encompass everything you'd find in our former geology degrees.