Jake Burton

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Fauna & Flora International

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I had a temporary admin position at the University of Exeter and have gone on to join Fauna & Flora International.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Coming from a research background, I wanted to gain experience working in conservation. I hope to go on to study a PhD and find a way to combine my knowledge of Sensory Ecology with practical conservation.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

The study material was really interesting, and the field trips to Africa were the best experiences I could have hoped for. I also really enjoyed the passion of the lecturers about their subjects and the close knit community in Cornwall. Living in Cornwall was also a major highlight, and I couldn’t have asked for a nicer place to study.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The reputation, course content and Cornwall campus.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

The plethora of biological knowledge has been incredibly useful for my work, and sets me up perfectly to progress onto study a PhD. The field trip experiences have also been instrumental in stoking my passion to conserve biodiversity.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Try to get a decent balance of practical field, lab and admin experience. This will set you up to be able to apply for further education in research or go on to work in a Conservation NGO.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to gain more experience working in Conservation to network and find the area of work I can be most useful. I hope to go on to study a PhD.