Zoe Zollinger, 21 August, 2023 | Zoe Zollinger standing amongst the mangroves at the QUT Gardens Points campus
As I approached the final semester of my undergraduate degree, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of my future path. I was curious about postgraduate study and research, and I wanted to test the waters to see if it was truly something I wanted to pursue. That's when I stumbled upon the Vacation Research Experience Scheme (VRES) program.
Over the course of four months during the summer holidays, I delved into the fascinating world of marine science. My VRES project, titled "Grain Size Analysis of Halimeda Bioherms in the Great Barrier Reef," was led by Dr Luke Nothdurft, a marine geoscientist in QUT's School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences. Alongside PhD candidate, Zsanett Szilagyi , I spent many hours working on campus, meticulously analysing marine sediment samples in the laboratory.
Little did I know that this experience would not only broaden my horizons but also set the stage for my future career.
The highlight of my VRES project came on presentation day when I had the opportunity to meet an eclectic group of undergraduates from various backgrounds and fields of study. Sharing our experiences and discoveries was a truly special moment, reminding me of the diverse and dynamic nature of research.
Throughout the VRES project, I developed an invaluable set of skills. From honing my research abilities and laboratory techniques to mastering data analysis, I gained a solid foundation for my future endeavours. VRES also offers a unique platform to refine your public speaking skills and present your research—a chance that few undergraduates get.
It's an experience that prepares you for the challenges of academia and equips you with skills that are transferable to any profession.
Now, I work as a Graduate Environmental Scientist, a role I never thought possible before my VRES experience. And the journey doesn't stop here. Thanks to the confidence and knowledge gained during VRES, I've decided to pursue my Master's degree part-time. This decision was undoubtedly influenced by my incredible experience and the guidance of my mentors, Dr Luke Nothdurft and Zsanett Szilagyi.
I wholeheartedly recommend taking the plunge to any aspiring students contemplating the VRES program. Not only will it make your resume shine, but it will also expose you to entirely new environments and researchers at the top of their fields.
So, to all future VRES applicants, dive in, explore, and discover. Your journey may just lead you to uncharted waters and new horizons.
Zoe completed her Bachelor of Science, with a major in environmental science, at QUT in 2023.
