DCG Success Stories

DCG Zoology student Kyle Harwood has wanted to be a zookeeper right from the first time he went to a zoo at the age of four.

Kyle, who grew up with a wide variety of pets, including snakes and lizards, would especially like to work in the reptile house.

And he’s well on the way to gaining the necessary qualifications, thanks to Derby College’s foundation degree course in Animal Management (zoo and wildlife) Nineteen-year-old Kyle, who is from Heanor, joined the FdSc course after completing the level 3 in Animal Care at Broomfield Hall.

He said: “Some of the FdSc coursework is challenging but it’s always engaging. I particularly liked the conservation module and I’m really enjoying learning about captive breeding, which we’re doing now, and zoo husbandry.

We did nutrition during 2020, which I found interesting. and complex. There are so many technical aspects to it, which tested my maths!”

Kyle – who described the atmosphere at Broomfield as comfortable and friendly – also appreciates the opportunity for practical work experience the College provides.

He added: “One of the reasons I chose Broomfield to study animal care was for the hands-on contact we get with the animals. Not many colleges in the country offer that but Derby College does, and it’s just 20 minutes from where I live.”

Kyle plans to take the top-up course next year so he has the full BSc (Hons) degree.

He added: “Zookeeping is competitive to get into but having a Zoology degree should give me the edge. It will open so many more doors.”