Mikayla Simpson, who's studying a New Zealand certificate in agriculture (level 3) at Otago Polytechnic's Central Otago campus in Cromwell, is one of only three students from throughout New Zealand to be selected.
Earlier this month she attended a four-day experience funded by Deer Industry New Zealand during which she visited farms, marketing companies and a workshop in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Miss Simpson said the highlight of her trip was seeing the velveting and how much can be made out of it.
''I hadn't seen that side of it before. . . it gave me a great insight to the industry.''
The 23-year-old, originally from Te Anau, worked at a station at St Bathans in Cromwell alongside her studies.
She said when she finished studying at the end of the year she hoped to get a shepherding job in Otago or Canterbury.
