Cover Letter

Dear Sir/Madam

I am a student at Hadlow College studying for a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Animal Management, and as part of the course we complete a period of work experience to allow us to experience and prepare for the workplace. I have been looking for local potential placements and wanted to enquire as to whether or not any vacancies would still be available, as I want to ultimately achieve work in the zookeeping industry and feel that getting experience in the industry early on would help me achieve my potential.

I have gained experience in working in the animal sector, through different volunteering placements and college practical sessions. I have volunteered at an RSPCA cattery, helping to care for the cats, through cleaning, socialising and helping with vet care to ensure the cats health and welfare, as well as helping to keep them in good condition for rehoming, as well as volunteering at a specialist school to care for their alpacas, goats, donkeys, ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs and tortoise, where I complete husbandry tasks such as grooming, feeding, mucking out, walking the goats and ponies with the students and maintaining the condition of the paddocks. In college we work with a wide range of species and groups, including reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, poultry, hoof stock and small mammals, and we are taught how to health check the animals and how to complete husbandry tasks to ensure the animals health and wellbeing.

I am also a fast, willing learner, achieving 10 GCSEs with most grades ranging from 6-8. I also achieved a grade 4 in Latin after the course was discontinued at my school, and I continued to study it in my free time in order to complete the qualification, which I believe has helped me to build resilience and self-discipline, and has made me determined to succeed, despite circumstances. I also achieved three academic scholarships in school between the ages of 7 and 16, with the main achievements being in History, due to my critical thinking and essay writing skill, which allows me to see both perspectives in equal manner and make a careful judgement.

I am also used to partaking in activity in outdoor and exposed environments in all seasons and weather. This is due to having been part of the Scouting Association and Army Cadets for many years, where we would partake in hikes, camps and meetings outside despite the conditions and would practice practical skills such as first aid, pioneering and orienteering, which I would also volunteer in my spare time to help teach younger members.

I appreciate your consideration for my application and am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Katie Barker