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WHY I LOVE
agriculture
Kerry Cartwright is studying a BSc (Hons) in agriculture at SRUC, Aberdeen
Here’s why she loves it.
Not knowing what to do is a pain. I decided to do something different: agriculture.
I applied and got accepted to study BSc (Hons) Agriculture at SRUC, Aberdeen, starting in September 2015. I have now finished my first year, and feel it’s completely opened up a new world to me!
At first, I was terrified: I knew no one and had very little idea of what it was going to be like. By the end of the first week I thought I’d made a mistake. Everyone, it seemed, was from a family farm and they all seemed to have a lot more knowledge than me. By the end of the first month, I had changed my mind! I loved my varied course, learning about machinery one minute and then talking about beef production systems the next.
The other thing that changed was I starting to make some really good friends, ones who had similar interests. I still didn’t have the confidence to go out, but my social life was improving and I was gaining confidence in myself and my abilities. SRUC is very good at getting us outside, whether doing practicals on the college farm, or going on farm visits to see different systems and technologies. This really helped me, as I had very few practical skills and wasn’t really aware of ‘good practice’.
At the start of December, I went on a study tour to Perthshire. Seeing agricultural businesses that were all talking about expansion made me realise the huge range of jobs in the industry I was hoping to work in, and the huge number of jobs that needed filling. Agriculture seems to be an aging industry that needs new minds to help improve technologies and systems.
"I was gaining confidence in myself and my abilities."
There are certainly plenty of opportunities.
In the final two terms of this year, things seem to just keep getting better! I now have a fabulous group of friends, and regularly enjoy Aberdeen’s nightlife. We seem to form our own little family at SRUC, Aberdeen, which includes all years. Our lecturers are also great, providing extra practicals, such as tractor driving, to those who want it. And they’re always available if you have any queries about reports or class. Small class sizes mean the lecturers get to know you, and you aren’t just a number.
Doing an agriculture course has really opened my eyes to a new world. Farming is definitely a way of life that involves hard work and long hours but also offers huge rewards, such as a welcoming close-knit community. This summer, I’m working long hours in a grain dryer, but feel it’s giving me a real insight into the industry, hopefully helping to pick the area I’m most suited to.
Thankfully, I took the chance to do something different, and I’m very pleased I did.
