Coventry mum and student on track to a dream career in wildlife conservation
A Coventry mum and student who completed an expedition to South Africa through her university course is now on track to a dream career in wildlife conservation.
Jess Edwards, 41 from Coventry, recently completed a BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Training degree at Moreton Morrell College, while balancing a job in event management and parenting responsibilities.
She started studying at the college after a varied career which included working in nursing for the NHS, in biomedical engineering and running her own bakery business.
Jess sold the bakery business before lockdown and pursued her dreams of working with animals.
Moreton Morrell College, working in partnership with Flooglebinder, facilitated a trip over Easter in 2023 to the Dinokeng Game Reserve in Limpopo in South Africa.
The trip saw students train with Limpopo Field Guiding Academy for two weeks.
Jess was inspired to fly back out to the Limpopo Field Guiding Academy in July 2024 for a month to complete a FGASA Nature Site Guide (NQF2) Mentorship qualification, and take one step closer to her dream of working in wildlife conservation.
She has now achieved the qualifications to be a basic nature site and safari guide and has returned for a third time to the academy to continue developing new skills, with the latest course enabling her to guide groups on foot and carry a rifle.
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.”
BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Training is delivered at Moreton Morrell College, which is part of WCG (Warwickshire College Group), through its Higher Education arm Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC).
Helen Coleman, lecturer and subject lead for HE animal degree courses at Moreton Morrell College, said: “It’s fantastic that Jess continues to take herself out of her comfort zone and embrace new experiences.
“We aim to put on an international trip annually and there is always a huge interest from students to broaden their knowledge and experiences.
“Jess has juggled being a student, a mum and having a job. Her story is inspirational and it’s about to enter an exciting new chapter, and we look forward to following the next stage of her career closely.”
To find out more about studying at WCG and WCUC visit www.wcg.ac.uk/study
