A COVENTRY student completed an expedition to South Africa through her university course and is now on track to a dream career in wildlife conservation.
Mum Jess Edwards, 41 recently completed a BSc Animal Behaviour and Training degree at Moreton Morrell College, whilst also balancing a job in event management.
Jess has previously worked as a nurse in the NHS, in biomedical engineering and running her own bakery business.
Moreton Morrell College – worked in partnership with Flooglebinder – provided a trip over Easter in 2023 to the Dinokeng Game Reserve in Limpopo in South Africa.
Students trained with Limpopo Field Guiding Academy for two weeks.
Jess flew back to the academy in July 2024 for a month to complete a qualification and become closer to her dream of working with animals.
Jess said: “I started up the bakery business when my little one, who is 11 now, was born and after selling that just before lockdown, it was time to assess what was next for me.
“Back in high school I’d been interested in veterinary [studies] and working with animals.
“After scouting online, I found the course at Moreton Morrell and took the decision to jump back into education.
“I was the eldest student in the group, but the tutors were incredible and gave me all the support I could need.
“Wildlife conservation was always a path I had in mind but that was cemented after the first visit to South Africa with the college.
“I was always worried about what my future might hold as a new graduate.
“I could never have dreamed of making this step into an exciting new career in wildlife conservation, teaching and research without the help, inspiration and support of my passionate lecturers.
“The team at Limpopo Field Guiding Academy have been a massive support too and the work they do here is incredible.
“My long-term goal now is to split my time working in the UK and southern Africa.
“I’m already visiting primary schools to teach classes and I hope to continue to get young people to think more about conservation.”
