Wildlife Conservation student wins ASET Placement Award 2018

BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation student Holly Kembrey was named winner of the prize for her account of her placement at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Holly completing a morning breeding bird survey

The ASET Student Competition is launched each year at the ASET Annual Conference, and is open to students at all ASET member institutions.

It aims to highlight what students have gained from their recent placement or internship to encourage and inspire the next cohort.

Holly Kembrey, BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation

To enter, students have to provide a short 900-word account that shows the value of work experience, reflecting on the impact their placement has had on their personal development and future plans, and how it relates to their studies.

There are two categories, one for overseas and one for UK based placements.

Holly wrote about her placement at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). During the year, she worked on “PARTRIDGE”, a European project partnered with five countries, with the aim of increasing biodiversity at ten demo-sites (two in each country) by 30%.

“A much deeper appreciation and understanding of the importance to everything I was studying was instilled in me- which no doubt has been the fundamental driving factor for me achieving higher grades in my final year.”

Holly Kembrey, BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation

Barn owl ringing

Her part in the project entailed the monitoring of the grey partridge, hares and songbirds, digitising these counts and mapping the demonstration sites using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). She also wrote and edited blogs about the project.

Speaking about her placement, Holly said: “The practical aspect of the placement and the theory I’d learnt at university went hand in hand – a connection I couldn’t have made myself had I not gone on placement.

“A much deeper appreciation and understanding of the importance to everything I was studying was instilled in me- which no doubt has been the fundamental driving factor for me achieving higher grades in my final year.”

One of the demo sites Holly habitat mapped as part of her placement

Professor Robert Mortimer, Dean of the School of Animal and Rural Sciences said: “We are delighted that Holly has been recognised with this award. It highlights the transformative effect work experience can have on our students.”

Cassie White, School Employability Manager added: “Holly’s reflective report about her placement experience has demonstrated how having an open mind set and taking opportunities can shape your university experience.

“NTU is committed to supporting students to reach their potential and every course offers a range of embedded industry related activities and work experience opportunities.”