Katie Frimston

Katie initially wanted to be a zoo keeper but enjoyed the science content of her degree so much that she’s decided to follow a career as an animal management lecturer.

She’s returned to Reaseheath on placement while gaining her PGCE (Masters level) and has been lecturing students and overseeing practical sessions, supported by our experienced staff. In addition she’s studying for a qualification which will enable her to teach students with special educational needs – and she’s also learning to teach falconry!

While an undergraduate Katie made the most of the practical opportunities offered by our campus zoo, including target training our otters, which she says makes her CV really stand out!

She also became a published author after a lecturer suggested she wrote up the results of her research projects on rabbits and guinea pigs for a national pet magazine.

And thanks to the confidence she gained during her degree she went on to travel and work in Australia at a wildlife park and in Borneo, where she gained an internship at an orangutan rehabilitation centre.

Katie says: “By working at Reaseheath’s zoo I’ve had amazing experiences I couldn’t get anywhere else. This degree is the whole package because you get practical sessions with the animals as well as lectures. Everything relates to the degree, which is so much better than just sitting in a classroom.