I joined the Jurassic Coast 
Team through the Future Jobs Fund, a government scheme to help unemployed young people back into work.
After graduating with a degree in Architecture and doing various stopgap jobs this scheme has been a lifeline to my career. Struggling to find a way into the heritage sector, this opportunity has provided me with valuable skills and experience, as well as formal training.
Leading on from my degree, when I joined the team back in January my interest was mainly in cultural heritage, such as historic houses. However, the knowledge and enthusiasm of the Jurassic Coast Team is infectious and I am becoming increasingly passionate about natural heritage. I even found my first fossil on a conservation day with the Team at Horn Park.
Over the last six months I have been lucky enough to get involved in a wide range of projects, a highlight of which was the annual Fossil Festival in Lyme Regis. I found it so rewarding to see how our World Heritage coastline sparks the imagination of children.
Future Jobs Fund has given me an opportunity that otherwise would not have existed, and it really has led on to something Big for me. I am staying with the Team to help deliver the exciting Big Jurassic Classroom project, a flagship education programme to help all schools in Dorset and East Devon learn about the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site through the Olympic and Paralympic Values.
Katie Burden, Jurassic Coast Assistant
