Trainee Ranger at Hengistbury Head Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at hengistbury head, I was given many opportunities and responsibilities and given expert training on multiple occasions. The work environment was also great, with lots of social opportunities amongst other placements and with staff. The job itself was varied and exciting- no day was ever the same! With lots of different avenues to explore.

During my time, I was given lots of support by all the staff. I was very quickly given lots of responsibility which gave me more confidence and investment in the job. They have provided a lot of time and energy into my professional development and career prospects.

I was given constant support by all members of staff, who went out of their way to share their knowledge in a range of different avenues. I was also provided with training days in a variety of subjects from known experts in the field alongside being offered machinery training in a wide range of tools and hand tools and diy guidance.

Very busy, never a dull moment and a wide range of jobs per day. Days consisted of working with other placements/ volunteers, various diy tasks such as fixing fencing or creating a pond dipping platform, and lots of different wildlife surveying from camera traps to quadrats and butterfly transects.

I was offered the opportunity to run events, help out with public engagement, and take on projects either alone or as part of a team. Once trained up, I was allowed to help advise on daily tasks, and whether something needed doing- and extents of jobs needed to do.

I was offered multiple competency certificates on various pieces of machinery. I was also offered a chainsaw license after running an event, using some of the income gained to help improve my employability. The training offered from the experts brought in improved upon my ID skills significantly, as well as allowing me to get experience in a variety of different opportunities.

Not much time spent int he office, other than training for MAVIS and living record, and the opportunity to write up a report using the other computer skills learned. The time I did spend was energetic and everyone was happy to offer any assistance needed.

There were lots of opportunities organised for placements to get involved in which were lined up specifically for us in conjunction with a specific job/survey. The plant ID session with [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] provided experience and knowledge in plant ID and also allowed for ease in future quadrats. The machine training offered was suited to us as placements as was most of the diy tasks. It seemed placements were in mind for most of the day-to-day activities

I was offered chainsaw training using the money raised for an event I ran, I was put through the driving test to drive the vehicles on site, and I was trained up in various areas and sent off to work independently giving me a great deal of responsibility, and experience which will enhance my career prospects.

I am going on to increase my placement time past my 30 days, to be involved in a project which can serve as the form of my masters dissertation. Due to the relationships gained throughout the council and other conservation organisations, I would feel my career prospects were improved from my placement.

During work time and over lunch I had the chance to socialise with other students and staff members. I also took part in extra curricular activities with both other students and staff who created a very friendly workplace for me

I lived at home whilst studying for my masters and completing my placement, making it cheaper!

Bournemouth has lots of bars and clubs spread out amongst the town, Southbourne has lots of nice places to eat at and some nice independent bars and pubs.

I was involved in night time Natterjack toad surveys and moth trap surveys which sparked my interest. I also was involved in multiple ‘bio blitz’ days which took us off site surveying different areas such as Kings Park and JP Morgan campus. Alongside this, many social opportunities were offered in the form of dinner or drinks