Women Making it Work in Agriculture and Rural Business!

23rd March 2016

Successful and inspiring female graduates and students of SRUC share their stories and top tips to encourage more women to seek out a fulfilling career in agriculture and the land based sector.

Current SRUC student and Dyslexia Ambassador Kirstie Baird, recent CARAS award winner Sophie Ward and Universities Scotland recognised intrapreneur Laura Barwick illustrate the range of careers and opportunities on offer in Scotland's rural and land-based industries.

Sophie (27) from Troon now works as a Procurement Assistant for Farmcare based in Carnoustie. She first did a degree in Business and Accounting; however it was while travelling afterwards and working on a farm in Australia that Sophie discovered her passion for agriculture. On returning to Scotland she studied HND in Agriculture at SRUC's Ayr Campus. Commenting on her career change Sophie said:

"I’d encourage all young people to keep an open mind when choosing their course or career and to follow their passion, but to not worry if they head in a different career direction first - it is never too late to change! I did just that after choosing the more sensible option first but I am so glad that I followed my passion as I now have a job that I really love!

"I have been in the industry for three years now and have found that everyone I have met so far have been extremely supportive and encouraging of females in the sector.

“A variety of roles exist within the industry beyond the practical farming aspect and I think we really need to ensure that school leavers or young people are more aware of the opportunities available out there."

Current SRUC student and recent runner-up in the RABDF MSD Animal Health Dairy Student Award Kirstie Baird (19) from Lanark, comments on her studies and hopes for a career in agriculture:

“I am currently studying with SRUC in Ayr and my ultimate aim is to work running and managing my family’s farm, to the best of my abilities. My eyes have been opened up to so many things being done in the industry or the potential that is there - and it inspires me to approach farming and agriculture in a different light.

“I’d whole heartedly encourage female students considering agriculture as a career choice. My top tip is to forget the stigma that farming is for men and ignore anyone who tells you differently. Women are just as capable!"

Laura Barwick (25), from near Jedburgh, graduated from SRUC Edinburgh with a BA in Rural Business Management and now works for Scotbeef Ltd as their Agricultural Livestock Liaison Manager. She explains how she came to work in this role:

“My career isn’t the typical choice for a female graduate and many people are surprised to find a young woman in my role within the red meat industry, however I love it and I like to challenge stereotypes!

“Growing up on the family farm, agriculture is in my blood. It’s a way of life I am passionate about, yet when it came to choosing a career I knew agriculture would be part of my life but I just wasn’t sure how.

“I have always been interested in business and motivated by how I can improve things and do things better, and I’m a logical thinker. I combined this with my love of agriculture and studied Rural Business Management - which really brought the business side alive for me; it was the perfect fit and course for me.

“I can honestly say that my time at SRUC provided me with an invaluable grounding - broadened my horizons and provided me with the knowledge, channels and opportunities to harness my passions and interests. It set me up fantastically and I would do it again in a heart beat!”

Laura has been profiled in Universities Scotland’s recent publication “Making in Happen” which highlights Entrepreneurship, Enterprise and Innovation in Scotland’s Higher Education Institutes. Laura was identified as an intrapreneur - a graduate who has gone into an established business on a placement or in a permanent role and applied their ‘can do’ attitude to innovate within the business and really add value over and above what the business would have been able to do itself.

SRUC offers a wide range of courses of all levels in the land-based sector across six campuses in Scotland. Applications are welcomed for Academic year 2016-17.

Making It Happen Web Site - http://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/publications/making-it-happen/