The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) is one of the largest rural research institutes (in the UK) based in Gloucestershire. The institute delves into issues such as food supply chains and microplastics within agricultural soils (just a few to mention). CCRIs main mission is carrying out research to influence the policy makers and decision makers in enabling resilience going forward.Across the 11-month placement I was a Research Assistant and helped the team across a range of projects.My role as a Research Assistant came down to supporting the CCRI in all of its research:- Contributing to the writing, proofreading and editing of publications and newsletters.- Assisting with project management by keeping projects up to date with future meetings and key goals.- Working collaboratively with the CCRI team to achieve the objectives of their projects. - Gathering data and helping with the analysis of that data qualitatively and quantitatively. - Helping disseminate research findings through social media platforms. - Participating in and facilitating at conferences, seminars and workshops. In June, I supported the team with the Treescapes Conference in Glasgow which was a 3-day event.- General engagement with the public. Back in October, I recorded a podcast which is on Spotify about the life of a placement student at the CCRI.I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the institute and the experience illustrated very clearly to me the brilliant work that CCRI along with other scientific research institutes are working on in the face of the climate emergency.

Liaised with high-end clients e.g. Bremont, Daylesford Organic & Highclere Castle, and worked as part of a team of 15 people each shift.Developed excellent time management skills, resilience and establishing a strong work ethic. My role entailed: 1. Greeting guests as they arrive and showing them to their seats or tables.2. Taking orders for food and beverages and relaying them to the kitchen or bar.3. Serving food and beverages to guests in a timely and efficient manner.4. Clearing plates and glasses from tables and ensuring the dining area is clean and tidy.5. Assisting with setup and cleanup before and after the event.6. Handling payments and processing transactions accurately.7. Anticipating and addressing any guest needs or concerns in a professional and courteous manner.8. Maintaining a positive and friendly demeanor at all times, even under pressure.

In 2019, I had a week’s placement at the Centre of Ecology & Hydrology (CEH). Contributed to analytical work on the National Honey Monitoring Scheme. The research provided early warning of shifts in bee diet and risks from pesticide exposure.Communicated and gave opinions with a diverse cohort of 25 people, adapting communication styles for different workplace personnel.

In 2018-19 I took the opportunity to get involved in Young Enterprise, where I, along with a team of 8 other students set up our own clothing business called Zero Degrees.- Head of coordination and planning which included booking stands at 10 trade fairs to sell the companies’ clothing products. - Identified and explored opportunities while adapting sales strategies to effectively market the clothes in unpredictable situations.- Gained first-hand experience in how to run a business, manage finances, and strategise for profit maximisation.- Delivered brilliant customer care & experience which will be invaluable in the environmental industry.

From working with a team in a kitchen, I learnt how to work under pressure and how to deal with the demands of a long and arduous shift.