Matthew Smail

MSc student in Sustainable Development in Practice, with a BA in German. I have developed excellent research, data collection and critical evaluation skills through my studies, along with strong communication and presentation skills.

I am highly motivated and adaptable: part-time chef work while studying has allowed me to develop strong time-management skills and ability to work efficiently under pressure and in a team. Time spent working abroad has fostered valuable skills of resilience, self-reliance and independence, and being in a particularly environmentally-conscious country such as Austria not only enhanced my spoken and written fluency in German, but also ignited my passion for sustainability and the natural environment. My primary areas of interest relating to sustainability are food & waste management, transportation and sustainable urban development.

English language assistant in Wels & Kremsmünster, Austria (October 2020 – June 2021)

• Teaching English lessons in two grammar schools to pupils aged 10-18.
• Planning and delivering lessons to whole classes, small groups and 1 on 1 conversation practise (both in person and online)
• Research project on environmental development in Austria, written in German

Chef de Partie at The Blue Lagoon, Bristol (January 2022 – March 2023) and Ramen Zen, Bristol (March 2023 – present)

• Working part-time during university termtime and full-time during holidays, at multiple kitchen stations around the kitchen, both with the team and individually. 
• Preparing, cooking and serving food to a high standard.
• Responsible for checking and ordering stock, item labelling, ensuring stock rotation, filling out necessary paperwork etc.
• Additional shifts through the agency Limber, working single shifts in different kitchens and restaurants around Bristol from time to time.

UWE Bristol (2022 – present) MSc in Sustainable Development in Practice (Current grade distinction)

University of Bristol (2018 – 2022) BA in German (2:1)

Monmouth School for Boys (2011 – 2018)