Most notably in my employment history, the nine months I spent as a shepherd on the Falkland Islands were what ignited my interest in agriculture generally and guided me towards applying for the Foundation Degree in Agriculture and Rural Studies at CAFRE. Such is my enthusiasm about the course, that I am now planning on converting this Foundation Degree to a Bachelors with a ‘top-up’ year at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. Upon identifying my affinity for agriculture, I set about adding to the experience I had had in the Falkland Islands by adding to my agricultural repertoire and working first on a dairy farm in Hillsborough, moving on to another dairy farm with a smaller working force to increase my responsibility on the farm. Throughout my course so far, we have been allowed an insight into the various areas of agriculture. Particular attributes which I have acquired while working in the dairy sector include; practical skills, problem solving and acting on my own initiative. As part of my foundation degree I was required to carry out a 12 week placement. I did this on a dairy unit, milking 140 Holsteins. I gained more practical skills and built on existing knowledge.