Ambassador Profile – Emily Seed, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Hi, I’m Emma – Committee member of the Dick Vet Wildlife Conservation Society at Edinburgh University. I have been a part of The Expedition Project Ambassador team since 2022.
Since working with The Expedition Project I have been helping with live streams and developing online courses with the help of Wildlife Vets like Dr Peter Rogers, and fellow ambassadors from around the UK.
WHEN DID I FIRST REALISE I WANTED TO BE A VET?
For as long as I can remember! Even in primary school, I talked about being a vet, and as I got older I started doing work experience and loved it and realised that this is really what I want to do.
WHAT IS MY MOTIVATION TO BECOME A VET?
I’ve always been interested in anything animal related, whether it was watching wildlife documentaries on the TV, going to shows and seeing the farm animals, or reading about the expeditions of conservationists and ecologists in books. Veterinary medicine provides so many opportunities to help protect and look after all animals, from dogs and cats to elephants and giraffes, and everything in between.
MY BIGGEST TIP IF YOU WANT TO STUDY TO BECOME A VET IS…
Work hard but look after yourself. Find hobbies away from your studies to keep active or relax, and find a good group of friends who are supportive and can encourage you.
THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A VET IS…
Finding a balance. Work, hobbies, friends, exams – there’s always a lot going on and it’s easy to feel like you aren’t doing enough (whether that’s enough studying or enough downtime), but just keep at it and find what works for you. Remember everyone is different.
WHAT IS MY FAVOURITE ANIMAL?
I have too many! I was obsessed with owls as a kid and still love them. I also think snow leopards are super cool and wild dogs. Also reptiles – what’s not to love?! There are snakes, turtles, lizards, and chameleons – and their anatomy is just so amazing!
MY FAVOURITE ANIMAL-RELATED STORY IS…
I did a month-long internship researching Loggerhead Turtles. I had been there 2 weeks and still hadn’t seen a turtle (we were seeing tracks on the beach and collecting data on the nests but no sightings of the turtles yet). It was day 17 I think, and I was on night patrol with the other intern, searching for the turtles as they came onto the beach to nest and feeling disheartened and not very hopeful as we had had many failed attempts by this point. As we approached the end of the beach I saw a set of tracks and no exit. I very carefully and quietly followed the tracks and sure enough, there was a turtle nesting! I was so so happy. Not only was she my first turtle, but we got there in time to observe and record the full nesting process – it is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I felt very lucky!
MY FAVOURITE ANIMAL PHOTO I HAVE TAKEN IS…
This lil guy (actually they are quite big) is a male Loggerhead Turtle found in the harbour of the capital of the island I did my internship on. The males congregate in the harbour as they feed on the bycatch thrown off the fishing boats!
