About
I graduated with a degree in Forestry from Bangor in 2019. Whilst studying I ran a social enterprise educating young people on forestry careers. I secured a 12-month placement at Chatsworth Estate as Trainee Forester and now work full-time as Forestry Manager. I am the youngest person to achieve chartered status with the Institute of Chartered Foresters.
Preferences
- Location: East of England, London, Midlands, Wales, Yorkshire and the North East
- Availability: daytime, evening, in person and online
- Key stage: KS4 and KS5
- Themes: environment, environmental management, fieldwork, GIS, forestry
Current or most recent role
As Forestry Manager, I oversee the forestry team and activities on the Chatsworth Estate. I am responsible for managing the biomass business and take a lead on creating GIS related resources for the team. I play an active role in our consultancy service, helping land owners get the most from their woodlands.
Previous experience
During summer seasons from 2016 to 2017 I worked as an outdoor activity instructor working with young people from disadvantaged background to introduce them to the natural world. Following this, I ran a social enterprise introducing young people to environmental careers (2018-2022) which included school visits and public talks on how to make environmental careers more accessible. I am a Forestry Commission Woodland Ambassador and present to education providers and organisations about neurodiversity.
Why I want to become a professional ambassador
I am keen to support the next generation of geographers as I have only found myself in this field due to the support and encouragement I received at school. This is something I would now like to provide for others, sharing what I do and what geography can lead to.
Types of activities
- Talking about current job and career pathway
- Attending a careers fair
- Running activities about my career sector and the opportunities available; talking about what geographical skills I use at work and how geography is used in the 'real world'
- Classroom based activities or working with small groups of students to talk about career options
- Supporting a geography club or eco club
- Supporting fieldwork and opportunities outside the classroom
- Visits to place of work
Email Alice at a.matthews@rgs.org to connect with Jemima
