"I wanted to study fisheries management and when I started looking into land-based colleges for further education courses, Hadlow College was the most recommended to me. Learning specifically about a subject that I was really interested in was great, and I liked the mix of practical tasks as well as theory lessons."
Jake Dorey - Fisheries Technical Officer, Environment Agency
The teaching staff gave me that confidence to progress from my Level 3 course to a degree programme and made me realise my full potential. I remember the feeling when I found out that I had the ability to complete a BSc degree - something I never thought I was clever enough to apply for, let alone complete!
One highlight of my BSc course was travelling to South Carolina as part of my work experience, where I worked with the US federal government’s Fish and Wildlife Service at their Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery. Achieving a First in my dissertation was amazing, this took months of planning for my trial and months in the library researching, but it was definitely worth it!
After completing my courses, I got a job working on a trout farm, which gave me some practical knowledge of the industry. This led me to a position with the Environment Agency, as a fisheries team member. This role mainly incorporated arranging servicing for the fisheries equipment, completing fishery permits (equipment and site) and assisting the fisheries officers. After a few months, I progressed to fisheries technical officer, with responsibility for my own patch. Within this patch, I support many different types of fisheries (day tickets, angling clubs, syndicates) with a variety of fisheries management advice. I offer fisheries technical guidance on different permits, from planning to fisheries removal permits, completing surveys such as winter nettings and electric fishing.
Part of my job also includes incident response, in which we respond to many different reports of dead fish, whether in an angling pond due to algal blooms, or in a main river due to pollution. We are required to take evidence which may be used to charge an offender in court.
My courses at Hadlow College were such an important factor in securing the job I currently have. I wouldn’t be able to complete most of my day-to-day tasks if I hadn’t studied them at college.
I also have a role in the virtual Invasive Non-Native Species Team (INNS). This team consists of officers from different areas, with our aim being to respond and eradicate INNS from various locations across the country.
My advice to others seeking a similar role to mine would be to get as much experience from a variety of jobs in the industry: fish farming, aquatic shops and fisheries. Work experience, within large companies can be so beneficial; it allows you to network and meet interesting people, providing vast knowledge of the industry and how it works.