Sustainability
Gef’s 30 Under 30 Winners: Q&A with Rachael Harrop
Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the all-new #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.
The Isle of Man Energy Sustainability winners are taking care of the planet and taking names. They are optimistic about our island’s future, as long as we all start with small positive changes.
What is your name and age?
Rachael Harrop, age 27.
Job title or role in the community?
I’m a communications officer at Manx Wildlife Trust and a shepherdess.
How did you start your career or role in the community?
I have always been heavily involved within the community of the west of the island, being involved with the Eco Club at QEII High School and a project to create a community space at Patrick Church. After finishing school I worked on a dairy and sheep farm for a year which sparked a keen interest in the link between agriculture and the wider environment – I then decided to do a degree in Environmental Science. Not wanting to leave the island, I completed my degree through the Open University (which I would recommend!). After finishing my degree I started working for Manx Wildlife Trust as their Communications Officer. During my time studying and beyond, I shepherded a small flock of Teeswater sheep for their wool and also as conservation grazers at the Patrick Community Orchard and Allotments.
Tell us about your business/industry, is there something interesting about it that most people wouldn’t expect?
Working for Manx Wildlife Trust there are no two days the same and there is such a wealth of knowledge that I learn something new every day. I work with some fantastic people who are working on projects with timescales that are far beyond the scale of our lifetime, but they are pursued with such a passion, so it’s very inspiring. Did you know the Isle of Man was the first entire nation to be designated as a UNESCO Biosphere?!
Have you experienced any hurdles in your career or community efforts and if so how did you overcome them?
When I was in 6th form we went on a university trip. I had this vision that I would take the conventional route to further education, but on the trip, a friend and I just looked at each other and both said ‘I don’t want to be here’. So where do you go from there? My whole plan, and the track you follow with school, was falling apart, so I took a different direction, got a job and ended up getting a degree a bit later and in a less traditional way. It all worked out, and for the better, I think, as I was able to focus on what I enjoyed and what interested me, which was learning about Manx nature, the environment and farming.
Tell us why you think you won the category you did?
This is such a vast category and I feel very honoured to have been put forward for it! I would say there isn’t one big project that I’ve been involved in but lots of smaller ones, which all add up. I’ve championed ethical, sustainable workwear for MWT staff and volunteers and launched a MWT range of clothing with TeeMill. I have a flock of sheep which graze community spaces and have trialled agri-forestry projects for MWT. I also try to live as sustainability as I can in my everyday life. My partner and I have recently renovated a Manx cottage and have tried to use as much sustainable technology as we could, such as an air-source heat pump.
What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in your career?
It’s okay not to follow the traditional route of school, A-Levels, uni, job. There’s a pressure to know what you want to do very early in life and I think it’s okay to take a bit of time to try some different things and find your interests. If further education is for you, there doesn’t have to be the pressure to go as soon as you are 18. Studying at home is an option too; it allowed me to study and still pursue the hobbies that I love.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue to love living on the Isle of Man, being able to tell people about all the fabulous habitats, plants and animals we have here. And maybe one day my partner and I will finally finish the old Manx cottage we’ve been renovating!
What, for you, are the benefits of staying on or moving back to the island for young people under 30?
I think the Isle of Man is such a fantastic place and I feel so lucky to be able to live here. From the wildlife to the environment, we have such a great range of habitats and species here and I also love being outside with my sheep and horses, walking, swimming and cycling; what better place to be able to do all these things than the Isle of Man.
What would you say to young people nominating themselves, or people nominating others, for 30 Under 30 in the future?
It’s hard sometimes to see the impact you are making, especially when you don’t like putting yourself out there (I’m finding answering these questions quite hard!), so if you have a friend, colleague, or employee that you think deserves some recognition, then definitely, put them forward and celebrate what they are up to!
You must be logged in to post a comment.