Student Callum Mclean’s career change after spending a few years in the workforce – he decided he wanted to focus on a field of study that would enable him to help change the world for the better – led him to the Master of Pest Management (specialising in plant pest management) at Lincoln University.
After graduating, he plans to work in the public sector and says the degree can offer a wide range of job opportunities.
He heaps great importance on biosecurity and the protection of New Zealand’s agricultural sector.
His ambition and the reasons for his study focus are reported on the Lincoln University website.
“It’s an internationally viable degree and the course is amazing for making you a competent and knowledgeable worker,” he says. “After one semester, I was able to spend a summer working with a regional council in plant pest management.”
Callum stresses that two of the biggest problems facing the world are population growth and climate change.
“Plant health is crucial to resolving both of these challenges. The crop losses to disease and pests can be staggering, running into the billions of dollars.
“Climate change will bring new disease and pests into New Zealand, making it increasingly important to tackle these before they become major issues.
“As we look for new solutions to these issues, we’ll be better able to support larger populations. PSA is a prime example of the risk to New Zealand and this study programme prepares you to tackle those problems.”
Callum says “New Zealand would not be New Zealand without its native trees and forests”, because they provide habitats for the country’s unique fauna.
“Climate change is going to put pressure on these invaluable forests, which will require care to ensure they remain for future generations.”
After graduating, he plans to work in the public sector and says the degree can offer a wide range of job opportunities.
“Protection of our agricultural sector is an incredibly important job, and there are amazing careers in this space. There’s also work with regional and district councils all around New Zealand and jobs working in ecology and conservation.
“Additionally, you could pursue private sector work in consultancy, particularly around biosecurity.”
Source: Lincoln University
