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Liv Addison-Carter

Rural Property Management

What first sparked your interest in Rural Property Management, Liv?

I’ve always been interested in property, to be honest! Growing up, family days out were often to stately homes and castles, so it naturally became something I was drawn to. When I discovered the Rural Property course at Harper, with modules on topics like historical buildings and event planning, it just clicked — I thought, that’s exactly what I want to do.

My farming background also played a part. It’s definitely not essential for the course, or for going to Harper Adams, but it gave me a connection to the land and the rural environment that made me want to explore this area in more depth.

So, when did ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ first become an option for you? What made it stand out?

I came for an Open Day with my dad — you kind of have to, to really get a feel for the place. As soon as I saw the accommodation, the layout of the campus, and the surrounding countryside, I just thought, that’s for me. It felt homely straight away, and I liked that I could study in a rural setting rather than move to a big city.

I didn’t even bother visiting my other university choices after that. From the stories I’d heard, the facilities, and the social life — Harper was always the one.

I also think the layout of the campus makes a big difference. If you can’t walk from one side to the other in ten minutes, you’re not going to build the kind of community we have here. Everyone’s close — there’s no divide — and that creates a real sense of belonging. Whether you're in the SU or out in town, people chat, people look out for each other. My friends at other unis don’t have that. It’s something special, and it comes from being a campus where everyone mucks in.

That’s great Liv! Soon you’ll be heading out into the working world — how has your time at Harper Adams prepared you for industry?

Placement really brings everything together. Even when the theory isn’t completely clear in your head, being on the ground forces you to apply what you’ve learned — and that’s where it all starts to make sense. It separates the jargon from the reality of day-to-day work, and that’s exciting, especially in an industry that’s constantly changing.

Every lecture at Harper feels like a puzzle piece. You collect them throughout your course, and then when you go on placement, suddenly they all fall into place. It’s like tipping the box out and finally seeing the full picture.

One of the best things is how much of what I’ve learned I now use in real life — not just in my graduate job or in the farm office, but in general conversation. I can talk to farmers and really understand what they’re dealing with: cropping decisions, government policy, climate change, weather patterns… It’s made me a better communicator, and it’s made the whole industry feel a lot more accessible.

So, where are you headed next?

My studies at Harper gave me a really strong foundation — not just academically, but in terms of confidence and leadership too. I became Chairwoman of the Land Management Society in 2022/23, where we raised a significant amount for charity. That experience, along with being highly commended at the West Midlands Women in Property awards, helped me realise what areas of the sector I was most passionate about.

My placement in general land agency was a turning point. It helped me figure out which parts of land and property management I found most fulfilling and gave me real clarity about the kind of work I wanted to do long term. That’s what led me to secure a graduate role with Brookes Leney in Hintlesham, just outside Hadleigh in South Suffolk. It’s a two-and-a-half-year position and should give me the experience I need to gain my MRICS.

One of the most valuable skills I picked up at Harper was how to present with confidence. The presentation skills I learned in first year have stayed with me — they’ve helped me feel comfortable in a boardroom, even in a male-dominated industry. That confidence is something I’ll carry forward, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.

Any final words of advice Liv?

My biggest piece of advice? Throw yourself into it. Join clubs, sign up for societies, go to events — just get involved.

You’ll meet friends for life, but you’ll also build industry contacts that could really shape your future. Go to the talks, speak to guest speakers, talk to your lecturers — you never know where those conversations might lead. Your time here goes by in the blink of an eye, so make the most of every opportunity and enjoy it.