Overcoming challenges for student success!

From a student’s first day on campus to the day they graduate, the experiences they gain help them to develop and grow academically and as individuals. Grace Welling, who graduated from the BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management degree pathway this summer, is a testament to this, overcoming her own doubts to secure an exciting career.

When looking at degrees, Grace felt strongly that Agriculture was the right choice for her. She said: “I chose Harper Adams University due to their extremely well regarded placement programme which I hoped would help me to secure a role in a tertiary industry.

“Agriculture at Harper Adams is a hands on learning experience where you get to apply your knowledge to real life situations.

“I was inspired to study Agriculture through watching the disconnect between many of my school peers and where their food comes from. I hoped that if I studied Agriculture I could gain more knowledge myself to help educate and tackle the misconception of UK farming practice.”

In her first few months, Grace felt the challenge of the changes between A Level study and undergraduate, but was not deterred: “Some of my early grades at Harper helped to throw both my academic and confidence shortfalls into perspective; however, I threw myself into every situation I found nerve wracking to try and prove to myself that I could overcome any challenge.

“Not only did I outdo some of my expectations, forcing myself into situations I felt uncomfortable in just boosted my confidence in the long term.”

This confidence helped Grace to take part in a series of excellent opportunities, expanding her understanding and presenting her with key life skills. She commented: “One of my key highlights was being able to represent the course student body via my role as course representative and promote the opinions of my peers at course committee meetings.

“I was also extremely proud of achieving a placement award for my performance at Syngenta.”

Grace was also listed as a finalist in both the Farmers Weekly Awards Agricultural Student of the Year and the British Farming Awards Agricultural Student of the Year.

Undeniably a hard worker, Grace is a firm believer in the work life balance. She shared: “I don’t believe the experience at Harper can be totally focussed on work, and the ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra of Harper Adams helped me to develop numerous memories and gain friends for life.

“As one of my friends once said, there is no reason why you can’t be just as well known in the bar as in the library!”

Grace’s success has led her to secure a job she is incredibly passionate about. She said: “Since graduating I have begun working for Germinal GB in an exciting role combining both forage field trials and grass seed production agronomy. I am working alongside a brilliant team who let me try my hand at every aspect of work within the company and I look forward to further expanding my horizons once I am officially qualified as an agronomist.

“I have just secured my FACTS qualification and hope to secure my BASIS qualification by this time next year.”