What is the most difficult thing which you have faced in your career?
I think I always felt like I needed to pick one topic and that would be my career. I have learnt that you can do a lot of different things well and that you don’t always need to follow the standard path to get there, although this was tough at the start.
What is the best, most exciting or fun thing that you have done in your career?
It took about two years to set up bear monitoring in Italy. Hundreds of emails and risk assessments had to be sent to make sure the students would have a fun and productive time.
The best day was when I received a photo of our first twelve students, safe and sound in Italy, trekking the mountains. It was a great feeling that happens every time we get a new conservation programme going.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into the same line of work?
Volunteering is so important. I met most of the people who have become such an important part of my own career whilst volunteering.
At times I have helped others for free, and when I look to hire I will almost certainly be looking at my current volunteers.
How did studying at Plymouth help you?
Without studying at the University of Plymouth I know I wouldn’t be doing any of what I am now.
The course taught me the science I needed and to be passionate, whilst the lecturers and amazing administration staff have helped me so much in the past five years.