How are you going to utilise the Santander Funding?
As a beekeeper, my main business is keeping my bees alive, happy and healthy. Secondary to that, I harvest and sell their honey throughout the Summer months as a way to fund the equipment and upkeep, as well as providing myself with a little bit of pocket money.
Going on beekeeping courses can get expensive, especially when I have older generations of beekeepers who are willing to teach me their skills for free, however I want to pursue the courses because this will get me recognisable qualifications. In the future, if I want to apply to jobs that require beekeeping knowledge, these qualifications will serve me well and mark a level of skill with the craft.
The courses that I want to spend the Santander Award money on are ones that I feel confident that I can pass, and ones that I think I could really learn and benefit from. For example, the General Husbandry Certificate is something that I think I already possess the knowledge for, whereas the Honeybee Health Certificate and Advanced Beekeeping Training Course are ones that I think could really advance my knowledge and passion for the activity.
Furthermore, some of the money will be spent on a Bee Venom Extractor. This is a device that will really drive forward my business, as it is something very few beekeepers ever expand into. I am excited to incorporate this into my business and see the benefits.
Why did you first get involved with bee keeping?
I first started beekeeping at age 12 with my Dad, who decided he needed a new hobby. As a life-long animal lover, this is something that immediately I wanted ‘in’ on! As an added bonus, neither of my sisters were at all interested, so this time spent beekeeping also became valuable one-on-one time that I got with my father.
As the years have progressed, this has been something both my father and I have really enjoyed, and it has become a real passion for both of us. I have a greater understanding of nature and our fragile ecosystem, and it has prompted me to make decisions that are better for our environment in lots of areas of my life, such as getting a hybrid car, and volunteering at a permaculture farm last Summer.
How will the funding help you to achieve your career aspirations?
In the future, I think having these courses on my CV is a great way to show employers that I am serious about my beekeeping skills and that I have taken the time and resources to achieve these qualifications.
Looking ahead to beyond graduation, I am still unsure of what life has to offer for me, but I am keen to get involved with just about every opportunity that presents itself. For example, last Summer I had the chance to go to Portugal for 6 weeks and work on a permaculture farm. This has sparked an interest in me with working on farms again in the future. I really enjoyed my experience in Portugal, and I think this kind of work could be my calling in the future. With my qualifications in beekeeping under my belt, this could stand me in good stead for getting a similar job in the future.
Why do you think it is important for students to engage in extracurricular activities alongside their studies?
I think that participating in extracurricular activities is a crucial part of being a student. It can be intimidating to start off with, especially for those who may have moved to a whole new city and be living on their own for the first time, but the benefits are immense.
For me, having extracurriculars was a great way to de-stress. With looming deadlines and juggling multiple projects, I really worked myself into a bad headspace during my first few months at university. Luckily, my parents and friends helped me through it with remedies such as trips to the Peak District, beekeeping at home, and getting involved in my local community.
Not only is it a big benefit for mental health, but it is also a way for you to gain great experience. Even if it isn’t obviously linked to your course, extracurriculars can be a great way to draw inspiration and find passions in life which can take you in unexpected directions.
Highlight three things (experiences or skills) you have gained or been involved in as a result of your extracurricular activities, that you wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do otherwise:
- Improving my graphic design skills to develop the logo for my honey.
- Being more involved in my local community at home.
- Participating in interviews with a fellow student who wanted to design something for bees.
