Georgia Beever

After a stint working through retail jobs, Georgia decided that to get the job she really wanted; a job that she would enjoy, she’d have to go to university. Armed with an interest in wildlife and the environment, she visited our campus and enrolled on the course.

So, Georgia, you’re studying Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology – why did you choose to study here?

The universities in my home city didn’t have the degree I wanted, but Salford did. It was also close enough to my home city that I could easily get back to family if I needed to. I came to both the open day and offer holder day, and everyone I spoke to was so kind. I really liked how the campus was all in one place and how there was so much variety of knowledge from the lecturers who would be teaching my degree.

And what made you want to study your course specifically?

I had some pretty terrible experiences in customer service jobs, and I knew that if I wanted to have a job that I enjoyed, I needed to go to university. I have always had an interest in wildlife and the environment, so it made sense for me to pursue it as a career option.

Tell us a bit about your course. How would you explain your course to someone who knows nothing about it?

This degree provides key knowledge on various topics crucial for a career working with animals. In the first year, you learn the base level of information you need, such as academic writing and crucial knowledge about conservation, which will help you through the degree and in your career after you finish. This will be covered in more detail as you progress through the degree, with more options for what modules you choose to study.

Have you done or will you do a placement? If so, tell us a bit more about your experience finding the placement.

A placement is a part of the course I chose and I will be starting my placement year in September.  I have been told by numerous lecturers that previous students who have done a placement where I will be have said how amazing and valuable the experience was. I am slightly anxious, but I do think it is something that will be good for me and better prepare me for jobs once I have completed my degree. I have also been told that students who do a placement year stand to do a lot better in their final year, which makes me hopeful. Finding the placement was relatively easy as the university provided a lot of help, including presentations, PDFs, and a panflet that shows where past students have gone on their placement.

What support is available for you throughout your studies? What is the teaching/school like?

I have a Reasonable Adjustment Plan at the university to help with my studies. I have found it really helpful to have this in place, and it has reduced my anxiety regarding my learning massively. Lecturers are made aware of the students who have this plan; in my experience, almost all of them have been incredibly understanding.

What is your favourite thing about being a University of Salford student?

I am really happy that I chose this university. Even for someone as socially awkward as myself, I found some of the best people I have ever met here and there are numerous lecturers I feel safe talking to about personal and degree-related issues; they don’t judge and are open-minded and understanding.