What made you choose Arbtech?
I made a career change to ecology following a period working in recruitment after I finished university.
I’d been looking for an opportunity to get started in ecology for a while before discovering the internship, finding it difficult to come across any entry-level roles that didn’t require me to have a lot of industry experience already.
The internship provided plenty of training and opportunities to gain experience across a range of ecological surveys while getting lots of support from experienced ecologists, which was exactly what I needed to get started within the industry.
What do you love most about the company?
The things I love most about Arbtech are the people I work with and the variety of the work, with many different types of surveys.
The flexibility of the role is also great. It allows me to go to the gym or for a run over lunchtime, which will be especially useful as the days become shorter!
What do you do when you are not at Arbtech?
Outside of work, I enjoy running, competing on the track in the summer and cross-country events in the winter.
I even completed my first half-marathon earlier this year and will be training for my next in the spring!
I love spending time with my friends, whether that’s going to a fitness class, music event or just a casual pub trip.
What is your biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
Never give up!
The things that matter most usually take time, effort and patience to achieve.
A little determination and perseverance can take you further than you think.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
As I’ve only been at Arbtech for a few months, I’ve not attended any socials yet.
The training day in Oxford on the first week of the internship, however, was very fun and a good way to meet the other new interns.
Where do you want to travel to next?
I have a long list of places I want to visit, but I’d say that travelling around South America is probably top.
I’d love to go diving in Mexico, explore the Amazon rainforest, and see all the amazing wildlife.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
I’d like to be still working in the environmental sector, hopefully having obtained some species licenses. I’d definitely love to have a dormouse license by then!
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
I would like to do some conservation work abroad, specifically in either Australia or South Africa.
Jessica joined Arbtech in October 2025.
