Victoria Woods, a past pupil of Kilkenny College, Co Kilkenny is one of two students at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to be awarded an agriculture work placement bursary.
Each year the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) teams up with the Irish Farmers Journal, Glanbia and Seedtech to provide placement bursaries to students in the BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science and BSc in Agriculture to support costs associated with farm/industrial placement.
Victoria was awarded the Seedtech/ASA/IFJ placement bursary. The third year student is studying agricultural science.
Growth in knowledge
In her bursary application she outlined: her interest in agriculture as an industry, and how the opportunity of being offered a placement position at Teagasc Johnstown Castle research centre in Co Wexford, has enabled her to grow her knowledge of the industry, particularly in the area of research.
Following this application for the placement bursary the students were shortlisted and interview. From the agricultural science course there was nine students interviewed. And one student being awarded the bursary. The interview panel was comprised of representatives from Glanbia, Seedtech and the ASA.
Victoria explains why she applied for the placement bursary: “it is a great opportunity for all ag students to apply for, it helps to cover some of the expense which may be associated with work placement. Both of the agricultural courses which are offered at WIT offer one semester of work placement. This is a great opportunity for students to get a feel for what areas they would enjoy working in once they graduate.”
Plans for the future
Her dreams for the future include: the possibility of travelling in a post covid-19 world. America and New Zealand are top of the list.
“I would also be interested in doing a masters, but not sure in what area. It would definitely be agriculture or science based, that’s for sure. I’ve been lucky enough to find an area to study which I really enjoy, so I would like to continue that if I were to enrol in a masters.”
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
