Overview
- The Horizon Scholarship opens students' eyes to broader career pathways in agriculture.
- Through the scholarship and his connection with the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program, James Telford attended the PIXS Conference, connected with industry professionals and completed a specialised two-week placement shadowing a poultry veterinarian.
- James Telford was struck by how welcoming and supportive the industry was. He says the connections he has made have been invaluable to his career progression and given him greater confidence in achieving his ambitions in veterinary science.
For James Telford, a passion for animal health and livestock production has always been part of the plan. But it wasn't until he became an AgriFutures Horizon Scholar that he realised just how many career pathways agriculture could offer.
Growing up in the Solomon Islands, James developed an early interest in animal health through exposure to livestock systems and his family's chicken business. Now studying veterinary science at James Cook University and supported by the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program, he is building a career in poultry production and animal health.
While James had already identified poultry veterinary science as a career pathway, he said the Horizon Scholarship Program helped broaden his understanding of the opportunities available across the agricultural sector.
"I feel like it's easy to kind of get in your own little bubble in your university with your friends and people you know in agriculture. But to go to a conference where it's people all over the country in really similar spots to you, it's just really exciting because it just kind of showed me so many pathways to agriculture."
One of the standout opportunities came shortly after James was matched with his industry sponsor, when he was invited to attend the PIXS Conference on the Gold Coast.
The experience introduced him to producers, veterinarians and industry professionals from across the poultry sector, helping him build relationships that have already led to further opportunities.
"It was just a fantastic opportunity. I learned so much," he said. "I was able to meet some of the vets that I did placement with middle of this year."
The connections made through the scholarship have also helped James gain valuable industry experience, including a two-week placement shadowing a poultry veterinarian.
"It was really good because it's kind of what the uni teaches you, although uni is more generalised. Doing these specialised placements is a lot more pointed," he said.
The placement provided insight into the realities of working in the poultry sector and gave James the opportunity to discuss long-term career options with experienced veterinarians.
"It was great talking to that vet and the head vet of the company and understanding what career pathways I can go down."
Beyond technical experience, James said one of the most unexpected discoveries has been the willingness of people across the industry to support emerging professionals.
"I was really struck by how welcoming the industry was," he said.
"I just imagined it as a really daunting competitive field. But once I was actually connected into it, there were so many people that wanted to kind of help me get into the field."
The program's professional development and networking opportunities have also exposed James to career pathways he had never previously considered.
During an online workshop, he met professionals working across biosecurity, government and different poultry production systems.
"One person was working in government, he started off as a vet and went into biosecurity. One thing led to another, so it was just really interesting hearing his story and hearing about that kind of government pathway, which is something I hadn't really thought about."
For students considering applying for the 2027 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship, James says the program's greatest strength lies in the connections it creates.
"For me, the people I was able to meet, and the industry connections have been invaluable to the progression of my career. I feel a lot more confident that I'll be able to go where I want to go and achieve the dream that I've had these last couple of years in vet school."
Applications for the 2027 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship are now opened. The Scholarship provides university students professional development opportunities and access to valuable networks across Australian agriculture.
