Caroline Schkeeper, USA
Cohort 3 (2017-2019)
Tell us a little bit about where you are now after graduating from the ACES programme?
I am currently in Nantes, France working for a private branch of Nantes University called CAPACITES that specializes in R&D and valorization of research. I am working specifically with the ocean team as a project officer in fisheries economics, doing studies on fisheries that are impacted by the construction of offshore wind farms. I am actually working in the same building where I did my ACES thesis, so the contacts I made there definitely helped me in securing this position!
How was your ACES experience and how did it contribute to your personal and professional development in the aquaculture industry?
I absolutely loved this program because it allowed me to pursue opportunities that would have been inacessible if I had done a Master's in the US. I have been able to build a personal and professional network in France and Europe overall, large in part to my ACES colleagues and the work opportunities I've had in France (startup in aquaculture nutrition, fisheries economics). Also, being able to extend my visa to stay in France after the Master's to look for work really gave me the push I needed to become fluent in French!
Best part about being an ACES student?
The friends I made along the way! My cohort was and still is my family at heart. A lot of us still stay in touch and visit each other when we can find the time!
Most challenging part of the ACES programme?
As someone in the first few cohorts, I experienced a very young programme that was still organising itself and improving the coursework bit by bit. It was sometimes difficult to navigate, but the professors and admin staff worked so hard to make everything really great overall. Also, applying for visas every semester gave me at least 10 new grey hairs!!
Any advice for current and prospective ACES students?
For current students: Enjoy it! Travel. Take every opportunity. The programme is really what you make of it.
For prospective students: Don't hesitate to apply or accept an offer for this programme. It will open so many doors for you personally and professionally and not just in aquaculture.
How did you hear about ACES and what drew you to this programme?
I knew I wanted to study aquaculture and do a masters program that allowed me to move abroad, so I googled "international masters in aquaculture," and the ACES website popped up. I read every page on the site and knew right away that I was going to apply. The thing that drew me in the most was the opportunity to interact directly with the industry through field trips, internships, and guest lecturers. Also, being able to live in three different European countries with very different cultures and aquaculture industries was too good to pass up.
