A YOUNG Alcester man who swapped camouflage for tweed when his dream of pursuing a military career was suddenly thwarted is ploughing forwards with a new career path.
Tom Kirby, from Haselor, near Alcester, had dreamed of becoming a military officer. However, he was forced to rethink after he was diagnosed with a life-changing, degenerative eye condition.
Tom is now studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture at Harper Adams University in Shropshire and is embracing new opportunities.
“My enrollment onto the course evolved from the thwarting of a life-long dream to become a military officer,” said the 22-year-old.
“A degenerative eye disorder was met with successful surgery within a matter of months. However I knew a change of career path was needed.
“I’d always loved the outdoors. Now having lost one dream I have found another; swapping camouflage for tweed and a rifle for a shotgun.”
Tom has found working on a mixed arable farm for 18 months to be a valuable learning opportunity and added: “It’ll allow me to learn from my colleagues’ individual experiences within the company and industry. I see this as a stepping stone into my potential future.”
Visit http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/ to find out more.
