Helping to bring career aspirations into focus, industry work placements in Tasmania and the Northern Territory have proved the highlight of FRDC-sponsored scholarships for university students Alyssa Seckinger-Crow and James Meggitt. 

By Catherine Norwood

Away from the classroom and the demands of university life, Alyssa Seckinger-Crow and James Meggitt have completed two very different work placements that will help shape their plans for future careers. 

Alyssa joined the Groote Aqua Aboriginal Corporation, on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory for a fortnight while James spent a week with aquafeed manufacturer Skretting Australia and at Tassal’s Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) hatchery 

FRDC assisted Alyssa and James with organising their placements as part of its sponsorship of the Agrifutures Horizon Scholarship, awarded to the pair in 2024.  

Sally Roberts, Capability and Capacity Manager at FRDC said “Horizon scholarships is a fantastic program which builds awareness, capability and capacity. It enables us to reach new people (Alyssa) and those already aware (James) of fishing and aquaculture and support them to access RD&E, explore opportunities and connect with stakeholders.” 

New direction 

For Alyssa, the experience proved a pivotal moment in her life. She was studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Melbourne. But following her work placement she changed direction, enrolling in a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania. 

“It gave me the confidence to back myself to make the change and follow my passion for sustainable fisheries,” she said. 

Her Horizon Scholarship began with a week-long summit with 2024 and 2023 scholars and sponsors, followed over the summer break by the chance to work in an Indigenous community with researchers as part of an FRDC-funded project. 

“The work placement was incredible. Groote Aqua is quite a small operation, and there was a lot of hands-on work, everything from grading oysters to examining Asparagopsis seaweed samples and making aquafeeds. 

“They are basically developing a plan for sustainable aquaculture on the island, to create new opportunities and jobs. 

Alyssa says she is grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Arnhem Land for two weeks, getting a sneak peek into what it would look like to work in that area, which has ultimately put her on a new career path. 

Agricultural economics 

For James, now in his final year of completing a Bachelor of Agriculture (Agricultural Economics) at the University of Melbourne, a work placement also provided some valuable insight into both aquafeed production and the economics involved. 

His placement at Skretting’s aquafeed manufacturing plant in Hobart, and then with Tassal’s hatchery and grow out facility southwest of Hobart allowed him to follow the aquafeed supply chain, looking at issues such as the costs of production and feed quality.  

“But also, the nitrogen cycles and environmental impacts of feeds and animal wastes,” says James. 

While he’s not sure what will be the focus of his future, he says seeing some of Australia's biggest and best operations in aquaculture has given him valuable experience. 

“The scholarship has also been a great way to attend conferences and network with other people who are equally as passionate about fisheries and agriculture more generally,” he says. 

About the Horizon Scholarships 

AgriFutures Horizon Scholarships are awarded to full-time university students studying an agriculture-related undergraduate degree or a science, technology, engineering, maths/finance (STEM) degree with majors that align with agriculture, fisheries and forestry. 

In partnership with sponsors – including the FRDC – the scholarships provide: 

• A bursary of $5000 per year for the final two years of a student’s degree 

• Professional development workshops 

• Annual industry work placements aligned with the scholar’s areas of interest and their sponsor’s industry 

• Opportunities to network and gain knowledge at a range of industry events 

• Access to R&D, industry networks and events through FRDC 

FRDC is supporting 2 scholars in 2025 (to be announced). Applications for the 2026 Horizon Scholarships will open in November 2025. 

Related FRDC Project 

2023-098 Capability and Capacity: enabling and accelerating career pathways in fishing and aquaculture