Meet Charles Sturt University agriculture student Erika Heffer. Erika grew up by the beaches of the Central Coast, before relocating to country New South Wales with her family while she was in high school. Although she’s not from a farming background and had never been exposed to the agriculture industry, she fell in love with the land. By the end of high school, Erika’s study journey had one goal: to combine her love of agriculture and English by studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science¹ with Charles Sturt.

The path to Charles Sturt

Erika applied to Charles Sturt at Wagga Wagga through an early offer program. She received an offer before she received her HSC results.

“It’s a great scheme where they [universities] look at your Year 11 results and your high school teachers’ recommendations, and make an offer based on your passion and potential,” Erika said.

“I was accepted to another university as well. However, I wanted to learn about agriculture in southern New South Wales because that’s where my passion for agriculture started.”

The uni experience

Erika’s time at uni placed her in good stead for her future career aspirations – especially when it came to blending practical experience with academic theory.

“I found getting out into the paddock to be the most valuable practical element. Mostly because it gave me tangible examples of best practice. In addition to performing our own experiments, we spent time ‘tearing apart’ journal articles and learnt to think critically. Now, when I am listening to agronomists, trainers or researchers, I can recognise whether their methods are rigorous, and consequently, whether they are making sound observations.”

Hands-on agriculture learning

Hands-on learning formed the cornerstone of Erika’s study journey at Charles Sturt, and readied her for the working world.

“During my Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, I took every opportunity of agriculture-related work that I could. Work experience on a Boer goat stud in Gunnedah. In a Pleasant Hills shearing shed. Five different ag-related casual jobs later, I had some experience under my belt and was raring to go.

“Undertaking my fourth-year practicum with FarmLink Research was particularly valuable. The knowledge and experience gained from studying and learning on the job about extension and building professional networks helped me hit the ground running for my grad position.”

Erika graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree. She’s now living her dream of working in the rice industry, after landing a graduate position with the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA).

“I was employed straight out of uni based on my exam and assessment results, and my practical experience.”

Making a mark in the industry

When asked whether she would recommend the agriculture degree to others, Erika declared: “Yes, a thousand times yes. I already have recommended the degree to people I’ve come across who have a passion for agriculture. The best thing about a Charles Sturt agriculture degree is that you graduate with a solid scientific foundation. So you can join any agricultural industry.”

See how far our agriculture courses can take you.

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