How did you get started?

My first job was a university placement as a trainee forester in Greece. I wanted to travel and when an opportunity arose to do a masters, I chose Edinburgh and environmental management. Since graduating I have looked to continually develop new skills by volunteering for environmental organisations. I have focused on gathering and analysing market research, which led me to the job I am in now.

What has been the hardest job you have done?

Collecting and sorting out macro invertebrate samples from very deep forest ponds in Scotland. It involved getting wet and ending up with huge amounts of muddy material that took days to sort out.

What advice would you give others starting out?

Volunteer in various projects to gather experience and meet people. Learning different things opens up new opportunities.

What does your typical day involve?

Speaking with people, literature and web research, statistical analysis and writing reports.

What is the best part of your job?

Attending regional events to meet and chat to Institute of Chartered Foresters members about their needs.

And the worst?

Spending too much time in front of a computer screen.

What projects have you got on?

I am working on learning and professional development, identifying training needs and skills gaps to inform the design of a new continuing professional development approach.

How do you wind down after a hard day?

I exercise and then have a nice dinner and a glass or two of wine.

What does your future hold?

I hope my work will make a real difference by taking ideas from the latest research and translating them into new best practice. After that, I would like to do further research on the social dimensions of forestry, with regard to the challenges of climate change. A lot of travelling is also in the picture.