From open day visitor to teaching the next generation, Kaitlin’s story is one full of passion, animals, and unforgettable experiences!
“I originally came along to a school open day to look at A-levels,” says Kaitlin. “But the idea of picking five subjects made me feel queasy! A friend mentioned Riseholme, so I checked it out and WOW. The rural feel of the old campus and the chance to turn my love for animals into a career? I was sold.”
What started as a single course turned into a six-year adventure. Kaitlin worked her way from Level 2 Animal Care all the way through to a BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. And she didn’t stop there!
After gaining industry experience as a Veterinary Care Assistant, Kaitlin was invited back to Riseholme as a lecturer. “Now I work alongside the very people who once taught me! It’s pretty surreal,” she says. “Hayley, Verity, and Louisa taught me the basics of animal care – and now we’re colleagues!”
“The close-knit campus was never overwhelming. Then moving to the new Showground site? It was a game-changer! Incredible facilities, a huge variety of animals, and loads of hands-on experience. From stables to exotic reptiles, even a trip to South Africa!”
Kaitlin travelled to South Africa in 2019 on a conservation trip. “It was one of the most enlightening experiences of my life.’’
Kaitlin’s Top Riseholme Moments
- Conservation trip to South Africa
- Working with over 70 animal species
- Making lifelong friends and mentors
- Seeing animals she once cared for still on-site today
“Riseholme isn’t just a college – it’s a community. It’s diverse, it’s welcoming, and it’s full of opportunity. The staff are true specialists in their fields, and they genuinely care about your success. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Kaitlin’s described Riseholme in three words; homely, diverse and unique. The courses she completed she described as exhilarating, revolutionary and life-changing.
Kaitlin’s Advice to future students is to grab every opportunity that comes your way, soak up the knowledge, it's gold! Enjoy yourself while paving your future, and most importantly, have fun!
