The power of a placement year: Anna’s experience of the poultry sector

Date published: 10 February 2026

For Anna Short, a BSc (Hons) Sustainable Agriculture student at Greenmount Campus, securing a scholarship through the CAFRE Industry Support Programme with Pilgrim’s Europe has set her on a career path she is now excited to pursue. Anna comes from a sheep farm between Moneymore and Cookstown, where agriculture has always been part of everyday life. 

Combined with her involvement in Moneymore Young Farmers’ Club, this inspired her to study agriculture. 

Through her scholarship with Pilgrim’s Europe, Agriculture Division, Anna has gained experience across several poultry teams, including hatcheries and the broiler production team. The rotational nature of the programme has helped her understand the industry from several angles, an experience she described as ‘invaluable’. 

Her first role was at the Donaghmore Hatchery, a broiler hatchery where she worked on incubation profiles across different chicken breeds, gained experience in chick dispatch and logistics, and managed small operational projects. She then moved to Carn Hatchery, where she expanded her understanding of breeder operations and supported quality control and process management.

Anna is now part of the Broiler Team at Nutt’s Corner, initially assisting in running a broiler farm for a full crop of birds. She is currently covering a Farm Compliance Manager role which is a significant achievement for a placement student. She helps prepare farms for Red Tractor audits, ensures animal welfare standards are upheld, and manages compliance documentation.

Anna credits her studies for giving her a strong foundation and quotes: 

“In second year, we completed a module on Sustainable Pig and Poultry Production, and it gave me a solid grounding before my placement. Subjects we covered in class such as ventilation, bedding, and temperature are now part of my daily work. Seeing the science behind broiler environments in action has greatly reinforced my understanding.”

One of the biggest surprises has been her enthusiasm for poultry. 

“I never thought I’d enjoy working in poultry so much, but it’s been great,” she says. “It’s definitely where I see myself after graduating.”

Pilgrim’s Europe also places strong emphasis on personal and leadership development. Anna meets regularly with other placement and graduate students from across the UK and Ireland for three‑day development sessions focused on communication, time management, and understanding individual working styles. These events have helped her build a strong professional network.

“I’ve met people from every level of the business, including heads of UK agriculture teams,” she says. “Those connections will make a real difference when I start applying for jobs.”

Looking ahead, Anna’s ambitions are clear: “After I finish my degree, I’d love to come back to Pilgrim’s Europe, whether through their graduate programme or in a full‑time role. I know it’s a fantastic place to start my career. I’m so glad I took this placement. The opportunities I’ve been given since last June have been incredible.”

Anna’s experience demonstrates just how beneficial a placement year can be. It offers students real‑world application of academic learning, exposure to different sectors within agriculture, increased confidence through responsibility, professional development opportunities, and greater clarity on future career direction.

Join us at our Agriculture Open Day at Greenmount Campus on Friday 13 March to discover how our industry partnerships, placement opportunities, and hands‑on learning can kick‑start your agricultural career. Book your place at www.cafre.ac.uk