Keith Potts
Willy Wonka's 'environmental career' golden ticket.
HNC & MSc Countryside Management
Campus: Distance learning
Class of 2015
"If you’re keen to change and work in the countryside, then volunteer for different organisations. See if you enjoy it, not only in nice weather but on a rainy Saturday afternoon in November. For me it’s like Willy Wonka and winning the golden ticket."
One day Keith Potts decided “It can’t get anymore boring working in IT and insurance” and decided to follow his dream to work in the great outdoors. In order to get formal qualifications to move into a career in the environmental sector, he dipped his toe in the water by enrolling on a single unit of SRUC’s Countryside Management course.
Happy with his experience he continued to complete the rest of the HNC, via distance learning, allowing him to work while studying. He enjoyed studying so much that he subsequently returned to SRUC to undertake his Masters in Countryside Management.
Keith now works as an Assistant Ranger with Historic Environment Scotland, based at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. As well as running educational and community visits in the park and looking after visitors (many wearing incorrect footwear for climbing Arthur’s Seat), the team has developed management plans to help the wildlife flourish.
We met Keith and he told us about some of the wildlife work that gets carried out by the rangers, from annual toad migration activities (to help toads on their way and avoid them becoming heron dinner) to encouraging peregrine falcons to nest along Salisbury Crags.
Related courses
Countryside Management
This course offers the skills you need for a career in countryside services, eg estate maintenance, environmental projects or working with wildlife organisations.
- NC
Wildlife and Conservation Management
These courses are aimed at those who care about wildlife and the environment and want to protect it so that everyone may enjoy it.
- HNC
- BSc/BSc (Hons)
- HND
- MSc
- PgDip
- Top-up degree
- PgCert
Environmental Management
This course gives you a grounding in the theory and practice of environmental management, and a sound understanding of managing and minimising environmental impacts.
- BSc/BSc (Hons)
- HNC
- HND
Forestry
Forestry involves sustainably managing trees and woodlands in rural areas for a range of benefits, including commercial and social.
- Certificate
- HNC
- HND
Game and Wildlife Management
This gamekeeping course will help get you started in a career in field sports and wildlife management.
- MA at SCQF level 5
- HNC
