STUDENT VIEW

WITH A DEGREE IN ZOOLOGY AND HERPETOLOGY FROM BANGOR UNIVERSITY, NAOMI DAVIES FOUND HERSELF WORKING IN JOBS UNCONNECTED WITH HER PASSION FOR ANIMALS. A MASTERS IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND DRONE APPLICATIONS, HOWEVER, HAS PRETTY MUCH TRANSFORMED HER LIFE.

Animal lover Naomi had no idea what the future held for her when she embarked on her undergraduate degree so decided to study something she loved. “I chose Bangor because it was the only university that offered the reptile focus I was looking for at that time,” she says. On graduation, Naomi found herself working in a gym and then at a number of car dealerships. “I liked the jobs but they were not what I wanted to do,” she says. “I started looking at the kind of roles I wanted and soon realised I needed a masters.” Searching for masters courses, Naomi came across the Wildlife Conservation and Drone Applications MSc at LJMU. “It was exactly what I was looking for,” she smiles, “so I was delighted when I was offered a place.” The highlight of the course for Naomi was the field trip to Tanzania. Surprisingly, however, she decided not to base her dissertation on the trip but to look for something closer to home. Instead, with the help of her Programme Leader and an LJMU PhD student, she designed her project around the density of native bat species in areas of high and low animal populations. Fortunately, the high population area targeted was Knowsley Safari. “I loved it there from the first time I visited,” she recalls. “When I needed a part-time job whilst writing up my dissertation, it seemed like the obvious place.” For around 15 months Naomi worked in Knowsley’s education department: guiding tours, giving public engagement talks and generally helping out. “I really needed a full-time job and, although I was offered posts elsewhere, I kept turning them down because I loved it here so much,” she smiles. Last summer a full-time role was advertised at the Park and Naomi was thrilled to be successful in her interview. “My practical experience was really helpful in getting the job” she recalls, “it has been invaluable since starting in this role, showing how important it is to get relevant experience in the field you are hoping to work in.”

Naomi still can’t imagine ever working elsewhere. “This really is my dream,” she beams. However, after a few years within her role, she has now applied to complete her Doctor of Philosophy in Conservation Technology back at LJMU in Conservation Technology alongside her role.