Foundation Degree in Arboriculture personal statement Example

Since a young age I have had an immense enthusiasm for the outdoors, which I indulged through adventurous activities, photography, scouts and camping trips. Feeling a connection with nature, especially woodlands, forests and wildlife found in these areas, is something that brings me great enjoyment and happiness in life. Because of this, I have always seen myself working outdoors, or in a capacity related closely to it. Through my youth I have been unsure of exactly what I hope pursue as a career, but consequently have gained valuable life experience, references and an array of formal and vocational qualifications. I believe these will aid me in embarking on what I firmly believe to be a career I will revel in, due to its connection with forests and woodland, as well as it's practical and technical aspects; Arboriculture.

My school years were great, applying myself, and performing equally well in a broad range of both academic and technical subjects, and showed great accomplishment in my chosen area of further education. I was awarded triple distinction for my BTEC National Diploma, showing my capability to adapt to more independent learning, and ability to deal with a single subject in depth. I have great pride in this achievement and believe it to prove my suitability as a mature student.

After college I felt I did not want to pursue higher education at that particular moment in time, and went straight into full time work. After a short time as a parts trimmer, I was transferred to the laboratory where I worked as a technician. I was required to undertake physical and chemical tests on aircraft parts and production equipment using a multitude of different techniques and methods, while conforming to industry and governmental legislation. I worked in a small team, contributing to coordinating and planning work on a daily basis, and showed initiative and leadership in absence of authority or during audits and inspections. From this I built a great respect and understanding of the importance to exercise proper waste management, health and safety and industry specific legislation and regulation, along with a strong work ethic and potential to handle responsibility.

I decided to leave my job and exercise my love of snowboarding in Alberta, Canada. I thoroughly enjoyed the three month instructor course and the challenges I faced; becoming a more confident and independent person. I gained insight into what it was like to live away from home, while achieving my instructor qualifications to the highest standard possible, and following this, was offered a job for the coming season as a full time instructor. While away, I was constantly in awe and amazement at the land and wildlife and showed particular interest when participating in courses with Parks Canada, with regard to their involvement in protecting and presenting the natural areas of importance.

In recent years, my concern for local environment and worldwide climate has grown, as well as interest in programs for sustainable forestry, such as Rainforest Alliance, SFI and the Forestry Commission of Great Britain. My fundamental belief that the wooded areas we have, are of extreme importance to both wildlife and our wellbeing, drives me to become part of the recent movement towards protecting, developing and/or maintaining these spaces. I have confidence that the experiences and qualifications I have acquired through my life, coupled with my love and concern for the subjects and topics covered throughout the course, exhibit myself as a young, enthusiastic and capable candidate for my choice of higher education and following career.