What Celia says about the Master's in Water Resources Engineering
Celia from Spain – alumna of the programme
What year did you graduate?
"I graduated in 2021."
What is your current job and where is it located?
"I am a PhD student in climate services for drought management at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (Delft, The Netherlands) and Complutense University of Madrid (Madrid, Spain)."
How did you find your job and how long did it take?
"I found my job by applying to a PhD position that I got to know thanks to the internship I did for my degree project. It took me around three months of searching, which I did while I was finishing my Master’s, so I could start working immediately after my Master’s graduation."
How are you changing the industry or the world (in a large or small way)?
"As a part of my research, I am exploring how to transform climatological data into knowledge that is potentially used by decision-makers and water users when managing droughts. The appropriate integration of this knowledge into operational decision-making supports drought anticipation and preparedness, overall improving drought risk management and adaptation to climate change in a region."
What was especially useful about the Master’s that you use in your everyday work?
"During my master's degree, I conducted a large number of reports and oral presentations in a wide variety of water disciplines, which greatly strengthened my scientific communication skills and writing effectiveness. In addition, I gained solid knowledge in many of the most important areas of water resources engineering at the appropriate level of detail, which led me to be able to understand and feel comfortable today in other water topics as well that are not within my current area of study."
How international was your programme?
"We were all international but mixed with Swedish students."
What was the focus of your degree project?
"I investigated eco-hydrological relationships between fishes and flow regimes in Spanish rivers as a preliminary study for the design of environmental flows regimes in dams and the monitoring programmes that track their effects on riverine ecosystems."
Why do you think prospective students should choose the Water Resources Engineering programme?
"Regardless of the career path students choose, the Water Resources Engineering programme will provide them with a solid knowledge in the most important areas of water resources engineering at the appropriate level of detail. In addition, through the elective courses and degree project, students will have the opportunity to deepen in those disciplines that are of their interest. Finally, students will develop other transferable skills through the practical coursework, namely, communication skills, group work, creativity, flexibility and autonomy. All in all, this Master’s will guide the students to become good professionals in the water sector, giving them enough flexibility to tailor and explore their own areas of interest."
Do you have any advice for prospective students coming to Lund?
"From the academic perspective, I encourage students to attend lectures, even if not compulsory, because lecturers are, in general, excellent. Ask questions and interact with your classmates and professors. Do not hesitate to talk to teachers if you have a special interest or idea. Also, try to enjoy and get inspired by the academic environment by studying in the libraries and in the areas intended for that.
From the personal perspective, engage in sports, cultural and community activities; it is important to have a life outside of the university. There are many interesting activities and projects going on in Lund; take advantage of that!"
"The teachers are extremely friendly and knowledgeable"
Mostafizur from Bangladesh
”The work-life balance here in Sweden is great”
Maximiliano from Chile
”A very international programme that offers broad knowledge”
Clemens from Germany
"The programme here covers a broad range of topics"
Xiangyu from China