Countryside Qualifications

[JennyS]

From http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...-coursing.html

As to the ineptitude of the scientists involved I find this difficult to believe - as sure a university of queens stature would ensure that its researchers were able to identify hares and were conversant with their habitat and ecology.

Apologies for being slightly off thread, but I've come across quite a few mentions over the last few years of the lack of field studies and 'on the ground' experience in graduates and under-graduates, both in Ireland and the UK

[almostnormal]

its not that far of the thread!

there is some truth in what you say, a number of graduates are coming out of college and uni with very little experience - however, you'll probably find that the ones who actually gain employment with research projects, consultancies, NGO's, conservation groups etc, all have voluntary experience, licences, survey experience etc, because most employers look for that. its one of the reasons the majority of the uni's and colleges who teach the subjects tell you from day one to go and get as much voluntary experience as possible under your belt whilst at uni - it makes you employable.

[C C]

I agree here, i have seen it all to often. And even if they have had experience, this doesn't mean that they capable of a certain task. I have also seen many seasoned professionals getting it terribly wrong.

I don't want to seam to be adding weight certain threads. But i can-hand on heart, literaly write a book on the totall botch ups of certain surveys, management plans etc, and thats just for my area. I could roll off some examples here, but it is a subject that really gets my goat. And i don't think i could stay polite. Sorry for the rant.