BSc (Hons) Aquaculture and Fishery Management graduate and river keeper for the National Trust
Once I’d made the decision to study fish, I knew straight away which course and which college. If you’re interested in the world of fishing, you’ll already have heard of Sparsholt – its reputation precedes it.
The tutors are experts in their fields, personable and happy to help. The course was a good mixture of practical and classroom-based studies and the practical side was really important to me as I was hoping to make a career change from advertising and knew I had a lot to learn.
Things like the electro-fishing practicals and invertebrate sampling gave me the confidence to apply for industry relevant jobs and are things I now do regularly. It’s vital to get the practical skills you need for work.
I was fortunate to be able to work with some National Trust data for my final year dissertation, which I feel helped me secure my current role. I’m now employed by the National Trust as a River Keeper on the River Test, and I am responsible for the management, maintenance and presentation of the fishery.
It’s a wide-reaching role that involves everything from keeping pathways neat and safe, pruning trees and cutting weeds, through to liaising with government agencies, working with volunteers and contractors, planning events for our fishermen and undertaking habitat improvement works.
If you want to get in to the world of fisheries, I’d thoroughly recommend Sparsholt. So many people I speak to as part of my job have heard of or studied here, it’s almost a rite of passage! Sparsholt has changed my life considerably.
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