STUDIED: Animal Care BTEC Technical Diploma 

FORMER SCHOOL: St Katherine’s School 

I chose this course because I am devoted to animals and have always wanted to work with them. It provided me with an amazing opportunity to do so. The highlights of my course were the practical work and the chance to work with incredible animals and keepers. 

The lecturers taught me so much, and the support I received from staff at Weston College was amazing and enabled me to excel in my studies. The facilities at Weston College were great too, especially those at the Puxton Park campus, as everything was so relevant to my course in animal care. 

Via Weston College’s Career Excellence Hub for Animal Management I was offered additional opportunities like trips, guest lectures, and work experience. This allowed me to learn from professionals in different fields and consider which area of animal care I would like to work in. 

I carried out work experience in the zoo farm park environment at Puxton Park, where I acquired valuable knowledge from the keepers I worked with and learned to care for various species.  This experience helped me focus on a career in zookeeping.  I now have part-time paid work as a zookeeper and after college I hope to find a full-time position and continue to work with a variety of animals. 

Weston College has prepared me well by providing the necessary skills and facilitating work experience in the industry while I was still studying. I'm excited to continue my zookeeping career, knowing that the challenges are worthwhile because of the opportunity to work with amazing animals and make a positive impact on the planet and animal ecosystem.