What made you choose Arbtech?
I was aware of Arbtech for a few years and applied to be a sub-consultant with bat surveys last year before taking a seasonal ecology job with another consultancy firm in North Wales.
I did a range of ecology work within this firm but found my heart really did lie with bats and emergence surveys. For me, there’s nothing quite like seeing bats going about their daily lives and putting on their acrobatic shows!
When I saw the BERS intern role at Arbtech advertised on LinkedIn, I jumped at the chance to gain more experience and knowledge on bats.
I loved the employee-first aspect of Arbtech and the idea of hard work being noticed. I was so excited when I was invited to the interview, and even more excited when Rob offered me the job during the interview.
After six months of hard graft, I was offered a full-time job with the company as a graduate ecologist.
What do you love most about the company?
I love the culture of Arbtech.
Whenever you have a question or a worry, there is always someone ready with the answers that will take the time to talk you through it. On many occasions during my internship, I had questions – often daft questions at that – and the ecologists have taken the time to answer them, whether via message or taking time out of their day to call and chat me through them.
I truly believe without the ‘family’ dynamic of Arbtech, I wouldn’t have developed the knowledge and confidence as quickly as I have. I have already made some great friends at Arbtech, so I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
I also just love being in control of my diary. It gives you the freedom to have a life as well as doing the job you love.
What do you do when you are not in Arbtech?
I love to spend time with my partner, family and friends. Much to the dismay of my mother, I also love to spend time with my two pet rats and most of my time (and money) goes on them.
I enjoy visiting my family on the weekend, having a catch-up, and seeing my very energetic dog Millie.
My favourite pastime is sitting in a coffee shop with my partner or my mother and people-watching over an iced caramel latte. I am also a book nerd, constantly buying books from charity shops and trying to find the time to read them.
What is the biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
Most of what I live by is advice my dad drilled into me growing up.
What I live by most is to say yes to every opportunity, because even if it turns out to not be what you want or enjoy, there is always something to gain, whether that’s knowledge or experience.
Do everything with a smile, be nice, and always be at least 30 minutes early!
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
I am yet to experience an Arbtech social – as I have only been with the company for six months – but I am definitely looking forward to the Christmas party, having a few drinks, and probably making myself look like an idiot on the dancefloor.
Where do you want to travel to next?
Me and my partner have a list of places we want to see.
We are hoping to go to Canada in three years’ time, so we are currently saving for that. But at the top of my list is definitely Iceland, as I really want to see the Northern Lights.
I didn’t travel much when I was younger, so I’m trying to make up for it now!
At the moment, we are currently saving for our next trip, which is likely to be Paris for my birthday.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I used to love setting myself plans and goals, but when I look back five years ago at where I expected myself to be by the time I was 25, I am on a completely different path.
All I know is that I will hopefully be living somewhere else in the UK with a nice house, a wildlife-friendly garden, and at least three dogs and a whole bunch of pet rats (preferably dumbo rats).
I would love to have travelled more, have seen the Northern Lights by then, explored Canada and Banff, and be able to say that I have actually left Europe.
I want to keep learning and achieving, keep working my way through the ecology field, see where life takes me next, and most importantly, be happy!
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
Career-wise, I want to eventually move into conservation education. It is my goal to end up educating the public on wildlife and getting people more aware of the issues facing British wildlife and the easy steps they can take to help protect and enhance the wildlife in their gardens and local communities.
In my personal life, I would love to have furthered my education and have completed a PhD in the conservation field. I would also love to travel the world and work my way through my bucket list of places.
More than anything, my goal is to be happy and content, and one day, I’d like to retire to an old cottage with at least ten rescue dogs and those goats that faint when they’re scared.
Kayleigh joined Arbtech in October 2023.
