Animal Management Course Sets Hollie Up for Success

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Animal Management student Hollie Crossey (19), from Hillsborough, is getting the skills and knowledge necessary for her dream career area on her SERC course.  

Hollie completed her GCSE’s at Lisnagarvey High School before attending SERC. Hollie chose to continue her studies at SERC as her sister had previously completed a course at the college and recommended it to her. Hollie also attended an open evening where she visited the college’s animal house and chatted with tutors, which made her decide to apply for her current Level 3 Animal Management course.  

On her course, Hollie comments, “I enjoyed getting to know new people and meeting the animals as well. We also get to go on trips as part of the course, including a trip to a zoo to monitor animal behaviour. I even had the chance to go to South Africa with my class which was an amazing experience. In South Africa, we worked on Sibuya Game Reserve in Kenton-On-Sea, and got first-hand experience observing and helping the reserve guides while learning about anti-poaching measures, animal monitoring techniques for elephants, lions, rhinos and giraffes, as well as the importance of coastal ecology, fish tagging, river cleaning, and so much more.” 

“Some of the modules you study on the course include animal biology, animal behaviour, animal welfare, animal nursing, animal husbandry as well as getting work experience in the animal sector. The work I am currently doing is an investigative research project about quail enrichment and to do this I am introducing new enrichment items to my pet quails to see which enrichment item they enjoy the most and why they might enjoy it.” 

Hollie continues, “After my course I hope to attend university to do veterinary nursing, although I also have ideas about going into the animal welfare sector, becoming a dog warden or an animal welfare officer. It’s great that there are so many different doors open to me after I complete the course.” 

Hollie concludes, “I would rate my overall experience studying at SERC very highly. I would say to anyone thinking of attending SERC to one hundred percent go for it; all the tutors have your best interests in mind and want to see you succeed in life.” 

Register to attend our Open Evening from 5pm – 8pm on Thursday 5 June at the college’s Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses and find out more about part-time and full-time courses.