Featured student of the month: Jodie Hill

Posted 2 September 2013

A monthly special featuring a current student from Harper Adams University.

Home may be a suburb of Greater Manchester, but this hasn’t stopped 19-year-old Jodie Hill from pursuing a career with livestock.

The animal behaviour and welfare student has always had an interest in farming and rural living, and saw Harper Adams as a route into the sector.

Jodie, who previously studied at Reaseheath College in Cheshire, said: “Despite coming from a non-farming background, I have always loved animals and worked for kennels and catteries on farms before coming to university.

“It really is the animal-side of agriculture that interests me the most and I love all livestock, from cows to sheep and pigs.

“So far, Harper Adams is really interesting and I’m enjoying gaining experience with the livestock. It’s giving me opportunities, such as helping with milking, that I wouldn’t have had at home.

“The lecturers are all very knowledgeable and contribute different views and thoughts to the classes.”

Rural living has proved different from the bright lights of the city and her home in Altrincham, but Jodie still enjoys the social element of life on campus.

She added: “The nightlife is different to that of Manchester, but the Students Union does a great job of putting on entertainment and it’s great seeing familiar faces when you do choose to go out.

“Some people might be worried about fitting in with the other students, but I’ve found that I’ve made plenty of friends and get on with everyone even though I am from a city.”

Aside from her keen interest in animals, Jodie also enjoys singing and playing the guitar. Her dream job is to be an RSPCA Inspector and she hopes to travel abroad to experience animal welfare standards in other countries.

Whilst at Harper Adams she works as a student ambassador, and recently helped at the Higher Education Choices conference – an event that gives 16 and 17-year-olds a taste of university life.

Jodie, who has two older brothers, said: “My advice for future students would be, don’t think about things too much. Just jump straight in!

“Harper Adams is perfect for me, don’t let preconceptions affect your choice when you’re deciding on which university to go to.”