Orlando Magic: A Lecturer’s Viewpoint.

For any lecturer that may be considering nominating their student for the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year; JUST DO ITü.

What an experience it was; now before I go any further I have to say that this was my first time across the ‘pond’ so there is some new experience to be taken into account here. This said, my first day of simply getting to the check-in was something, the Orange County Conference Centre was something to behold in itself.

The rest of the first day was spent acclimatising to the Florida temperature and the generosity of our hosts and staff in the hotels and local restaurants.

Monday was full on, first seminar started at 08:00 a.m. with a three hour lecture on The Benefits of Oxygen – How to Maintain Oxygen Levels in Our Root Zone. Interesting to see Sub-Air systems being employed on golf course as well as leaf-blower back packs connected to existing drainage systems to introduce fresh oxygen to the root zone.

The afternoon re-started at 13:00 with Understanding and Managing Nematodes on Golf Course Turf, I actually felt sorry for our American cousins as the week progressed, they really do seem to have a lot of problems on their greens, sodium and salt contamination (probably from their recycling of water and waste water), nematodes, not to mention the more usual turf grass diseases.

The education of the Greenkeepers is very impressive, this is not to decry or undermine our British Greenkeepers at all, but it seemed as though everyone in the room was operating at a degree level of understanding of soil and plant science. The willingness to embrace new innovative ideas is something that has always impressed me about the Americans.  The interesting thing that I came to realise is that they are educated from high school through to college and university and then they get their jobs. This leaves a big skills gap and need for experience. Our system works the other way around with students going to college and university whilst gaining their experience in gainful employment. This makes our Greenkeepers highly desirable on the American market.

Day two was a special day in my life and career in Sports Turf; I went to Tranquilo Golf Club. The coach (x 3) left at 08:00, sharp (there was even a warning in the pre-trip blurb to say that if you were late don’t expect them to wait), they are so efficient in Orlando.

What an experience! The host Stephen Tucker, Equipment Manager was very impressive and amongst a lot of information (PPE vending machines for one) his take on levelling and adjusting front and rear rollers for parallel was truly interesting stuff. His workshop was testimony to his professionalism and regard for efficiency. Check out the work shop floors.

This one is Steve talking us through the process of aligning the front and rear rollers to ensure level cutting. After this we were taught about electricity systems on turf machinery and the correct use and maintenance of torque wrenches. Lunch was served on the lawn (boy it was hot), and the afternoon resumed with discussions and lectures on the future of turf machinery; their fuel systems and how research is informing its design. The evening was charged with expectation as my student Jimmy Heritage was flying down from Massachusetts after being subjected to five weeks of intensive study, it certainly is no holiday for him or me on this trip, it was full-on all the way. Jim eventually showed up at about 9:30 in need of refreshment.

After introducing Jimmy and his Australian counter-part Bill to the layout of the conference centre and a quick walk around the opening of the Trade Show itself, I resumed lectures listening to a speaker discussion the use of waste water and its treatment, this focused heavily on the different effects of salt and sodium on soil structure and the resultant effects on the grass plant. After a very quick lunch and catch up with the BIGGA stand I was back in for some more information on the benefits and opportunities to employ bees on gold course and how they can add to the beauty and value of a golf course. 

Thursday, my final day of lectures was taken up with the morning discussing, The Do’s and Don’ts of Rebuilding Greens and the afternoon Evaluating Career Options. This latter title may come across as mundane but the American take on how to prepare for job interviews and what can be done to prepare for it was enlightening. The lunch break was spent looking around the show and studying what was on offer. Our hosts Reesink (Toro), gave us all a very generous last night sending off with a lot of networking being done (good to see Michael O’Keefe again).

The only down-side of my whole experience in Orlando was that I didn’t get to see an ex-student of mine (Greg Knight) who is Deputy Superintendent at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. He went over to the States on the Ohio State University programme and settled out there, and is now doing really well for himself.

After a checking out on Friday morning; the usual stooging around was to be had. However, this was a very welcome chance to relax for a while before flying back to the UK. For any one, whether they are students, employers or lecturers, I can only say that the experience and hospitality shown by Reesink was second to none. The insight into the machinery supplier’s life was truly revealing and informative. The networking opportunity with the Big Boys of our industry is something not to be missed. I can honestly say that everyone I met was very supportive to the education and training of our young Greenkeepers, with each member of our party only too willing to talk and share their knowledge and experience with others. I can only say thank you as a token of my gratitude. Also a massive thank you for your hospitality Reesink (Toro Equipment and Irrigation distributors for the UK).

Nigel Beckford 

Lecturer in Horticulture

My Equine and Business Managemeny Journey- Part 4

Back again with part four of my Writtle Journey. As well as a passion for horses, I also have an interest in the business industry. These days most businesses, have a website to communicate with customers. In the Applications to Computer Technology module, our assignment was to design a basic website and analyse it for a chosen equine business. I enjoy a little creativity and found this task quite enjoyable. I also think it will benefit me (or anyone!) when going out into the industry, I will be able to identify potential improvements for my employer’s website for their business. In order for them to have a user friendly website, they can make it easier for customers to gather information about their services.

Similar skills have also been nurtured during this module; I completed a consultancy project for a real business. A consultancy project is when an outside individual collaborates with a business in order to achieve a goal, for instance my project aimed to find out if opening a shop would be feasible for the business I was working with. During this project we looked at strengths weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the business, gathered information on the sector of the industry and made suitable recommendations on how the business could expand. I look forward to the second part of this module, due to start on the 25^th January. We are due to create business plans and look into the markets for products or services, potential competitors, cash flow and management of the business. 

Holly Morley

Third Year Equine Studies and Business Management Student

My Equine and Business management Journey- Part 3

I’m back again, with Part 3 of my journey at Writtle so far. Anatomy and physiology was one of the most insightful subjects covered in my course.  It included theory lectures and practical sessions. Each week we covered a system in the horses body and then dissections on the main organs related to the system. For instance after we covered the circulatory system we completed a dissection on the heart and after looking at the skeletal system, we looked at the bones in the horse’s body. Although it did smell at times, I learnt a lot about how the horse’s body works at a cellular level and found it very fascinating.

Yet another interesting module covered at Writtle was Applied Equine Technology. During this module we looked into how technology has been applied in the equine industry. For instance we looked at the health and safety equipment and developments such as, the BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) Standards, we also discussed why the equine industry can sometimes be slow to uptake technology. This module provided a good insight to the industry at the current time and should help me to gain employment when I graduate, because I will be aware of all the important developments.

Holly Morley

Third Year Equine Studies and Business Management Student

My Equine and Business Management Journey- Part 2

Holly here! This is my second instalment in to my Equine journey. During my Equine Studies and Business Management course at Writtle I was able to choose whether to study Stud or Equitation. I chose Equitation and toughly enjoyed it. We were taught about the theory of riding then at Writtle I had the opportunity to work as part of a team to further develop one of the horses and on a separate occasion, develop a rider.

Whilst the training of the rider, we created lesson plans for our fellow class mates and over a few weeks worked together to develop the position and communication with the horse. We were then assessed on our ability to teach the rider a lesson. Although this was very nerve racking, it helped me to develop my communication skills, which I was probably somewhat lacking.

Working as a team to develop a horse was probably my favourite part of the module. Over a five week period our group of four worked together to improve our horses. Our horse was called Silver, she was very sweet when on the ground but had a tendency to rush at fences and needed to develop her lateral flexion. Lateral flexion is the bending of a horses body to the left and right, for instance when working on a circle, we wanted Silvers body to follow the shape of the circle. Some weeks we struggled to improve Silver, however by the end of our five week period we were able to jump a course of small fences with a greater amount of control and flexion.

 

 Holly Morley

Third Year Equine Studies and Business Management Student

My Equine and Business Management Journey

My name is Holly Morley, I’m a student studying at Writtle University College in my third year of my Degree in Equine Studies and Business Management. I love all animals and completed an Extended Diploma in Animal Management before I began at Writtle. I have had a passion for horses since a child and wanted to continue to learn about them whilst studying a subject that could be applied to other industries.

Studying a degree in Equine Studies and Business Management has enabled me to learn about horses as well as some business aspects. Both equine and business modules have been covered during my time at Writtle. A few of the module include Equine Nutrition, Equitation and Coaching, Business Skills and Applied Business.

The Equine Nutrition module has enabled me to learn about the nutritional requirements of the horse and how they vary according to age, workload and digestive requirements. It was extremely fascinating and eye opening learning about how the horse’s digestives system tackles the different food types provided to them. For this module there were both, theory and practical aspects. The theory included lectures and each week a different nutrient was covered, information about which feeds provide the nutrient, how they are digested and what excess or lack of the nutrient can do to the horse was covered. The information was provided by a lecturer that was not only knowledgeable but passionate about the subject covered. One practical during this module included an inspection of a horse’s digestive system, it was amazing to actually see the scale of the horse’s digestive system and the different fazes of food digestion.

One key business module undertaken has been Business Skills. Although it may sound boring, during this module, the key skills required for business and employment were covered, making it relevant and stimulating. Guest speakers came to talk about how they opened their own business and what they did after graduating from Writtle. It was interesting gaining a perspective on how different people have progressed, from there courses. One of the visitors was the owner of Equine Careers; she spoke about starting her online business. Not only did this visitor meeting opportunity provide knowledge of professional job opportunities when I graduate, it also provided information on how to start a successful business.

Holly Morley

Third Year Equine Studies and Business Management Student

What next? How careers support can help

With assignments in and a couple of weeks to catch up with family and friends, now could also be a good time to give your future career some thoughts too.  Amongst the mince pies, wrapping paper and new year festivities, it’s a good chance to actually ponder the future too.  Why?  Because with all the familiarity around you, thinking about the ‘what if’s?’ and ‘how about?’ can be done without rushing or undue anxiety.  Of course, this process doesn’t have to be done on your own, without outside help.  The careers advisory service (CAS)is here to help you explore all the options, and to help you decide what is best. Hopefully the following will help you to focus your thoughts and show you how we can help too.



Planning ahead will help you graduate!

What are you good at? What skills have you developed, even a little? What motivates you? Conversely, what causes you the most angst on your course or work wise?  The difficult things may not be ones to avoid, tempting as it may be.  For instance, if presenting to others is something that does not come naturally, actually improving this skill will enhance your career prospects no end!  How can CAS help?  We can talk all these through with you, to help you identify what you are good at, what motivates you, things to develop etc.  In essence to find the golden thread from your previous experience, current situation and possible future ‘professional selves’.   
Identifying possible opportunities that match your skills, experience and motivation will be an important part of the jigsaw. Where are the opportunities geographically, how many are there, are you a good ‘fit’ or are there still ‘gaps’ to work on to ensure you have a good chance in securing an opportunity?  And just as importantly, how could these opportunities develop your golden thread of skills, motivation and experience for future opportunities? The careers advisory service can help you identify sources of opportunities, reflect on how well you meet the requirements, and how to address any gaps you have identified.  Critical friend role?  Absolutely!

So, having undertaken an audit on your own skills, motivation and interests, combined with identifying possible options you now need to consider how to successfully get the opportunity,

Wiki images source Druysts.t

whether it’s a job or place on a Masters or PhD.  Presenting a ‘professional self’ can be tricky, especially if you have not had much time in the world of work yet.  But it is definitely possible, even if it feels difficult.  We can help you with a CV, LinkedIn profile and mock interviews, and help you reflect on what you have learnt already from any employer contact you have had in the past.

So, in conclusion, the festive season will hopefully bring you many things, including time with family and friends, relief that assignments are done and maybe even some presents!  It can also give you a chance to step back and start to ponder the future. It is important to start this before ‘the future’ arrives, with the end of your course!  And hopefully, having read this far you know that there is help available to put all of this thinking into practise.

Graduate employment opportunties and careers fairs!

Now that term has well and truly started, it is time for final year Higher Education students to start thinking about life after dissertations and exams.  And not just to ‘think’ about it, but take some action too. Why? 

 

• It's graduate careers fair season
• Employers graduate schemes are open (and some will close soon) for applications
• Masters/PhD’s are available to apply for from now

So what do you need to do?

Firstly, you need to keep a regular check on graduate scheme deadlines. There are several coming up between now and Christmas. Some of these sites will allow you to register for vacancy alerts and give you more information - target jobs vacancies listings, target jobs graduate schemes, graduate scheme deadlines, prospects and gradjobs.

 

Once you start filling in the applications (usually online), don't forget to save copies of what you have put, as you will find the answers useful for other applications too.

 

Secondly, if you are thinking about continuing with further study though an MSc or PhD, you can start applying for these now. Some Masters will be more popular that others and will fill up more quickly, others in more specialist areas or at less competitive prestigious universities will accept applications for much longer. If you are keen to get funding for further studies e.g. a PhD or a PhD that comes with a salary (otherwise known as a stipend), then you need to be researching for these opportunities now. These opportunities can come up at any time of the year, but you do not have to wait for them to be advertised. You can make contact with university departments from now, especially if you have a research proposal in mind. You can use  https://www.findaphd.com/ and www.findamasters.com for more information about this.

 

Careers and postgraduate fairs are also worth attending.  Mainly because they will give you a chance to talk to lots of employers or universities offering postgraduate courses in one hit. That way you can intensively research the opportunities that could be possible and feel that you’ve made good progress in a day!  One tip, research the companies attending the fairs before you arrive, so you know what they do and who they are, and so you can prepare questions to ask them. The Writtle University Careers Fair is on Wednesday 9^th November, 12pm - 3pm.  For more details please speak to Mark Yates, Careers Adviser, located on the first floor in the Library. 

 

Lastly, don’t forget that if the options sound too numerous, or you are not sure what you actually want to do, talking to a careers adviser will help clarify the situation. So get talking!!

 

Written by Mark Yates.