The BSAS Buddy Up Scheme allows those at a similar stage in their career to meet on a more informal basis to share experiences, act as a sounding board and offer each other more general support.

Become a BSAS Buddy

A Buddy is

• An informal point of contact
• Someone to meet in an informal environment
• Someone who will reflect, with you, on their experiences at university/early career work place and share informal hints and tips on a wide range of related elements
• Help build confidence, encourage and give support on a flexible basis

A Buddy isn’t

• A counsellor
• A careers advisor
• A replacement for services, such as advice on finance or welfare
• A tutor or someone who will proof read assignments, documents and coursework

Benefits of having a Buddy

• Share experiences, practical advice, encouragement and support in a range of areas
• Learn from the experiences - students/those in early career
• Be part of the wider Buddy Up Scheme / Early Careers Forum and network that allows you to share your experiences

I want a Buddy! Please note that the Buddy Up scheme is only available to BSAS early career members.

To request a Buddy is really simple, please email bsas@bsas.org.uk now!

 

BSAS Buddy Case Study – Lucy Ross

BSAS Buddy and member of the Early Career Council Lucy Ross, has been a BSAS member since she started her PhD in 2018 at the University of Nottingham, focusing on heifer rearing and whole-farm feed efficiency in UK dairy systems.

Lucy was first made aware of the ‘Buddy Up’ scheme when she became a member of the Early Career Council and has been a Buddy since December 2020. She wanted to join the programme as she thought it was a great opportunity to engage with another member of the animal science community who was at a similar stage.

Soon after becoming a buddy, Lucy was paired up with an undergraduate from the University of Liverpool, who she credits with helping her to find out more about other people in the animal science community, other institutions, and their work. She also feels that being a member of the scheme over the course of the pandemic, when communication and interaction have been difficult, has been incredibly positive, as it has given her someone different to talk to, to engage in conversation and to help motivate.

Lucy believes the scheme is a fantastic idea and helps to bring early career scientists together: ‘I would encourage everybody to get involved with the scheme. The opportunity to interact with like-minded people to find out about animal science in different courses, pathways, institutions, countries, and cultures is fantastic. Not only is it helpful for academic and work-related support, but also for friendly discussion and motivation in other areas of life.’