My RAU experience
I chose this course because of it's vocational focus. It was the only environmental course that gave me experience in 'real world' skills, ranging from cutting down trees to seed collecting.
What I’ve enjoyed the most is the quality of the lectures. The lecturers on the environment courses are so passionate about their subjects and so knowledgeable, and have industry experience and contacts. We had plenty of opportunities to see the principles covered in the classroom in practice out in the field. There are so many highlights to pull from, but the trip to the Millennium Seed bank was very special.
One thing I struggled with across my time at university was to maintain a consistent quality of work, especially as it became more stressful. The RAU Student Services team supported and helped me almost every week to plan how to get my work done.
What I gained from the RAU
I undertook my placement on an estate in Scotland. It gave me an opportunity to put the practical skill and knowledge I developed during lectures into practice in the countryside industry as well as pushing me to develop those skills further. I am now applying for several jobs in the land management sector, with both large NGOs such as the Exmoor National Park and National Trust and smaller private contractors.
The course provided the required experiences necessary for all the roles I have applied for. The Wildlife and Countryside Management course teaches not just to pass assignments but to develop well rounded graduates with useful knowledge applicable to the conservation sector and the practical skills to set students up for the future of conservation and land management. The course has a vocational focus so everything learnt in lectures has a real-world application. It is a truly fantastic course, with enthusiastic lecturers who are experts in their subjects.
