Student Testimonials

What do our transfer students think - Q&A with John Rothwell

Second Year student in the BSc. (Hons) in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness

john rothwell student it carlow wexford campus1. Tell me a little bit about yourself
I am from North Wexford and I am actively involved in the running of the home farm which is a dairy enterprise. The proximity of the college in the Wexford Campus really helps with this as I can balance my education with the requirements of the farm. When I am not working in the college or on the farm I enjoy playing football and hurling as it allows me to blow off some steam.

2. What did you study before you came to the Wexford Campus?
I completed my leaving cert in 2016 and from there I decided to go to Coláiste an Átha in Kilmuckridge to complete my Level 6 agri training.

3. What did you choose the BSc in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness?
I am still quite young so I feel like there are other employment opportunities that I could avail of in the agrifood sector. Having a Level 8 degree will help explore these opportunities. I also liked the concept of sustainability and the fact that it was a new course being offered relatively close to home.

4. How have you found the transition from a Level 6 course to an Honours degree?
Many of the concepts covered this year are similar to those we covered during the Level 6 degree, just more in depth. There is a lot more science in this course but there is always a practical outcome from this so that it can be related to things that happen every day on the farm. From a personal perspective, I found the small class size made it really easy to integrate with the group and there has been plenty of opportunity to get involved in the social activities in the Wexford Campus.

5. What do you like most about the course?
I really like the diversity of the course and the mix between science and business. I feel like this mix will give me the right employment opportunities when I graduate. Certain aspects of the course have actually changed my outlook on the way we are farming at home and I hope to bring some of this knowledge with me when I return to the family farm.

6. What would you like to do when you graduate?
I would really like to work for Bord Bia as a farm inspector as this would give me a good balance between my responsibilities on the family farm while also the opportunity to generate extra income.

What do our students think - Q&A with Oisin Maher
 

oisin maher q&a with student at it carlow wexford campus

1. Why did you choose the course?
I chose this course because I felt that it would be a more practical and broad ranging course compared to others that were on offer at the time. I also liked the fact that it was a new course and the kind of opportunities that it might present for me. In hind sight, I am glad that I have come to Wexford to do the BSc. in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness as it has more than met my expectations.



2. What are the highlights of the course so far?
The main highlights for me have been the many field visits that we have gone over the past three years. These have helped me to understand the practical nature of farming and learn new skills and ideas from the farms that we have visited. I also liked the component of the Animal Nutrition module in Year 2 where we got to learn how to formulate our own cattle rations.


3. What are you currently doing for work experience?
So far this year my work experience has consisted of working on a sheep farm in Essex, UK where I was involved in the lambing down and management of 350 ewes in the spring of 2019. I am currently doing the industry component of my work placement with J Grennan and son in Offaly and have been working in their agri-store as well as the mill and fertiliser plant. I feel that I have learned a lot of technical knowledge here which I am able to pass on to the customer. Before the end of the summer, I will be heading back to the UK to complete the tillage component of my work experience on a 1000ha cereal farm.


4. What you plan on doing when you qualify?
When I finish my Level 8 degree in Wexford I hope to go and work as an agri-advisor or technical sales person. Ideally, I would like to balance this work with the demands of our family farm at home.

What do our students think - Q&A with Laura Wilson

q&a with it carlow wexford campus student laura wilson

1. Why did you choose the course?
I chose this course as it outlines many aspects of Agriculture including Science and Business. I was enticed by the course title “Sustainable Farm Management and Agri-Business” and the modules provided in the course. Based on my skills, knowledge, and interests I decided that this was the course for me. Coming from a farming background I can implement what I have learned and use it on the home farm.


2. What are the highlights of the course so far?
The highlights of the course for me so far was the practical aspects of the course, being able to see how farming is carried out on many different farms, using different methods and taking the most sustainable approach.

3. What do you enjoy most about the course?
I enjoy the practical aspect of going on field trips, learning new skills and how it is demonstrated in both small and large enterprises.

4. What do you plan on doing when you qualify?
When I qualify, I will have gained many practical skills and will be able to use my knowledge on farms and many other enterprises. I will plan to use these skills to pursue careers in Farm Management and Agri-Businesses.

5. What are you doing for the summer?
With a broader range of career choices on offer when I graduate, I am currently searching for work in Agri- businesses for the summer to gain experience there. I will also be working on the home farm carrying out day to day duties such as feeding animals, and helping during the silage season.

Pictured above: Laura Wilson (3rd from left) with (L to R) Pearl Jacob, Cameron Magee and Rachel O'Leary on a crops walk in Crossabeg, Co Wexford.

Start Your Story at SETU Carlow - Shannon Devereux

Everyone’s story starts somewhere. Shannon Devereux was a Sustainable Farming student st SETU Carlow and also an Agricultural Researcher.