A decision to study at The University of Queensland's (UQ) Gatton Campus has literally meant the world to graduating horticulture and agribusiness student, David Young.

During his UQ Gatton studies, Mr Young has had an opportunity to undertake not one but two international tours. These overseas experiences incorporated what he was learning in the classroom with both commercial and international experiences and enabled him to obtain a job before even graduating.

“During my horticultural program, I completed an industrial placement at Westfalia Technological Services Mariepskop Estate, Hoedspruit, South Africa,” Mr Young said.

“During the visit, I was exposed to the harvesting and data-collection of mangoes for large entomological trials, root-stock trials and cultivar post-harvest evaluation projects. In addition, I had an opportunity to teach plant biology and plant nutrition and assist in conducting ecology classes to grade five and six students at a private wildlife and nature school while based in Hoedspruit.”

Undertaking the agribusiness program as a dual degree with his Bachelor of Applied Science (Horticulture) also provided many opportunities for Mr Young to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to the business environment. As part of his agribusiness studies, he travelled to Thailand with five of his fellow students to conduct market research.

“Our overseas group embarked on a journey to Bangkok, Thailand. The aim of our business trip was to conduct market research for the potential of Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) Fruit and Puree into the Thailand food service sector,” he said.

If undertaking two degrees in four years wasn't enough, Mr Young has kept busy during his studies working at Withcott Seedlings in the role of Quality Assurance Project Officer on a part-time basis.

“The experience afforded by Withcott Seedlings in combination with my studies has proven invaluable. Some of the activities and projects I have been involved with include job responsibility boards, job descriptions, website design and assisting the training officer with new training projects,” he said.

“The opportunities provided while completing studies at UQ Gatton are endless and the coursework from these two degrees is aligned closely to the business environment.

“I can certainly say that if I hadn't chosen to study at UQ Gatton, I would not have had the opportunities to travel to rural South Africa or conduct business meetings in Thailand and I certainly wouldn't have the amazing friends who are in my life today.”

Mr Young will graduate with his classmates on Friday (December 8) at the Gatton Campus and start work with a leading horticultural and food company in the new year putting his skills to the test travelling throughout Australia and the world researching the viability of new food products and technology.