TMK Environmental Science Prize is Awarded to High Flying Uni SA Graduate Loren Cockshell

The TMK Prize for Environmental Science is awarded to a University of South Australia student who has completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science (LBVT) and achieved the highest GPA as deemed by the Program Director. This year’s recipient is Loren Cockshell who graduated with a 6.83GPA. John Weber, one of TMK's senior associate & senior environmental scientist awarded the prize to Loren.

This degree provides students with cutting-edge techniques and technology to help learn how to monitor and manage environments, along with tools to process and evaluate this data to critically assess its meaning. TMK has been a prize giver for 4 years.

Loren originally chose environmental science because of her passion for the natural world and the environment.

“I love how every system connects and integrates into others and the impacts these intricate, complex, and interesting systems have on themselves and others. I really wanted a career where I would feel fulfilled and inspired each day.”

Though the award is managed through the University, TMK always aims to catch up with the recipient to find out what drives them and what they hope their future holds.

Loren, what are you doing currently?

I am working as an environmental scientist at a consulting company. I am really enjoying learning and managing the varied work load plus collaborating with team members and stakeholders. It has been an exciting journey in my first full time job out of uni.

What is your ultimate role and/or career goal.

My ultimate career goal is to be happy, balanced, and fulfilled in a career in which environmental and sustainability values are vital in an open, honest, productive, inclusive, and respectful setting with ongoing learning, training, and motivation.

I would love to be in a role in which I can make a difference in protecting the environment and helping people understand the natural world around them. I would love to be constantly learning and thriving in a dynamic, creative industry, collaborating with a varied, skilled, and passionate team, and improving my professional and personal development.

Who do you admire and why within the field of Environmental Science.

I truly admire and respect David Attenborough and what he has achieved in promoting nature and conservation, educating others about the environment, and inspiring others. Truly a remarkable, kind, generous, amazing person with such devotion, pride, and humility.

Is there a project which you have been involved in during your degree that stands out.

My favourite project that I was involved with during my Bachelor of Environmental Science at the University of South Australia was a trip away to Warraweena with my ‘Earth and Landscape Evolution’ class.

Warraweena is in the Flinders Ranges and is a truly beautiful, remarkable, and serene landscape. We had the opportunity to undertake soil sampling and analysis, geology and regolith mapping, and climbing Sliding Rock. This trip was such a highlight, and I loved the time for collaboration, reflection, and soaking up the tremendous landscape. I would highly recommend visiting and getting out in the South Australian outback.

Do you have some tips for other students on how to get the most out of their degree or some pieces of advice?

I have plenty of pieces of advice for students but to be honest I believe these apply through your career.

• Embrace opportunities, challenges, and problem solving.
• Trust in yourself and your abilities.
• Share knowledge, information, and wisdom.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions.
• Apply yourself and love learning.
• Have a good support system.
• Stay humble and look at things from a different perspective; learn from others and allow others to learn from you.

You can connect with Loren through LinkedIn.