countryside management diploma?

enaj · #1 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 03:55 PM

Hi everybody, I'm not sure if this is the right section to post this under but I am considering changing my current secretarial career and enrolling for a Countryside Management Diploma (2 yr course). Does anyone have any experience of this or similar courses? I would like to know how easy it is to get a job once I've finished the course and whether said job would be paying more than about 10k a year for all that time and effort!!! I guess I should speak to people at the college about it but if anyone here can help with their experiences that would be great!

Dan Salter · #2 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 04:25 PM

Hi Enaj

you will find plenty of help and advice on here from Countryside Management students like myself ( year 2 degree) or people in the industry already like Eeyore or Gill Catton.

I cant tell you how easy to get a job at the end of it all will be as im not there yet, i CAN however tell you that as many hours or years practical experience (volunteering) will be of equal use in the job search as will a bit of paper with a qualification on it.

And i hate to break it to you but the environment sector is still one of the worst paid...a ranger/warden job can start at around the 10 grand mark...more money is available in the 20-25 grand sector but these will be largely indoor/office based positions...sadly they still dont want to pay us a lot for walking around chalk hillsides in the hot summer counting butterflies...which kind of makes sense...but they seem to forget the days of wet, cold, frozen muddy scrub and tree felling in the winter!
Dont let me put you off though...but bear in mind its more about the "love of the countryside" than it is the money in this game

enaj · #3 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 04:48 PM

Great thanks for that reply! hmm, yes sorting out some voluntary work should really be my next move. It really is quite a tough choice to make isn't it re: the salary drop, I need enough to get by on, so if a more office based job utilising the new skills pays more at the end of the day I will take that into consideration I guess. I've read a couple of articles recently saying countryside management type jobs are on the increase in this day and age, so that's got to count for something!!

So are you enjoying your course?

Dan Salter · #4 (**permalink**) 25-02-2008, 05:25 PM

Yep things are definately on the move which is why i took the gamble and got on the bandwagon quickly as everything environment based seems to be highly topical and important in this new age of climate change, farm payment schemes and flooding, rising sea levels etc...

Im loving my course in terms of doing what i want to be doing....sadly i cannot speak too highly of my particular course/ college/tutors who i feel couldnt arganise a kids birthday party let alone a 3 yr degree but there are plenty of good colleges/ courses out there dont panic....i just couldnt afford to relocate or go elsewhere sadly....so im currently on a "Teach Yourself Countryside management" degree ha ha....

and on another important point i personally feel i learnt more and learn more from being out volunteering in the field from other proffesionals or typically from other very knowledgable volunteers...there are many many experts and specialists who are out there volunteering

...soak it all up !

EDIT:...i forgot to say...THIS PLACE TOO! stick around here and you will soon be top of your class in certain areas! (Its worked for me)...you will find out answers here quicker than anywhere else...

enaj · #5 (**permalink**) 26-02-2008, 05:09 PM

oh you poor thing having to sort yourself out with your degree work! still, all good experience for the future I suppose! I wouldn't be able to relocate either, I'd look at one of the Kent colleges that do the course as I'm a Kent lass.

Dan Salter · #6 (**permalink**) 26-02-2008, 08:25 PM

Uh oh....im in KENT too so im guessing you are looking at HADLOW? ha ha...hmmmmm

I would strongly consider looking at SPASHOLT or WRITTLE if you can go that far?...or...if you happen to be cute, young, single and female then please come to Hadlow ha ha

lol geoff · #7 (**permalink**) 27-02-2008, 10:32 AM

I think Dan has summed it up well. I studied Wildlife Management as the final year option in City and Guilds horticulture at Honour Oak whilst working for London Borough of Bexley back in the 80's, and the course was a bit airy fairy to say the least. I worked in horticulture until Compulsory Competetive Tendering reared it's ugly head and found the job I loved had changed from landscaping, building wildlife gardens in schools, woodland and wildlife habitat management etc. to more of a grounds maintenance type job, marking out pitches, mowing bowling greens etc. Eventualy I left and did a bit of lorry driving and other outside type jobs in the building industry and now work in an office based environment and hate it, the pay's good but even after 11 years working indoors I still long to be outdoors no matter what the weather.

The trouble with doing this kind of work as a career is that there are loads of people, young and old, willing to do it for nothing. A bit of a catch 22 situation really, you need to do the job for free before you are considered to do the same job that you want to do for money, thus compounding the low wage problem.

enaj · #8 (**permalink**) 29-02-2008, 03:37 PM

Thanks Geoff, since doing a bit of research this last week or two, I'm surprised at the number of volunteers already out there doing it for free, which is a good thing really, but I was still shocked! ie. when I asked a local animal centre/farm attraction if they needed any help for a few hours on a weekend they said no thanks, they had plenty of volunteers and only wanted people who could commit full days! That told me!

Dan, small world!! yes I was looking at Hadlow too, might pop along to their next open evening in a couple of months, but I'm really getting the vibes that finding an admin based sort of nature related job is more suitable for me if i want to earn enough to still pay the mortgage and keep my car on the road!! Even if I just took the 1 year course that must improve the cv somewhat for those sort of roles.

Dan Salter · #9 (**permalink**) 29-02-2008, 06:35 PM

Go for it, although hmmm its a tough one....as a lot of the big money admin stuff would still require a degree i should imagine, and relevant knowledge of habitat management and ecology, environmental law and legal designations etc.

I would still look at all options and talk through with colleges/uni's what it is you wish to end up doing...my course is very broad based all under the term "Countryside Management" and can lead you in several different routes/career paths including the more office based conservation officers/ site managers/or planning authorities/ legal agencies etc...or even education

To be honest im still unsure where i will end up...or i should say, where my "niche" will be in the industry ( theres a little ecology for you right there!)

Dan

enaj · #10 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 05:19 PM

well I sorted out my first bit of volunteer work today, next week I'll be helping to paint/put up a new pen at a big cat sanctuary near me, cool!

Dan Salter · #11 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 09:14 PM

is that as in a large sanctuary for domestic cats?
or a sanctuary for big cats? (lions tigers etc)

Either way this flags up a beacon for me?...if thats the kind of wildlife your into ( non native, exotic collections, zoo's, wildlife parks etc) then my advice would be forget a countryside management course and look into an animal conservation/ animal care/ or veterinary/zoology course?...

enaj · #12 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 06:00 PM

Hey Dan, as you're based in Kent too I saw this come up today, vaguely well paid Wildlife jobs in Kent do crop up sometimes then! Is it something that would interest you?

Area Warden
Organisation: Kent Wildlife Trust
Salary: £15,031 - £22,483
Location: Hothfield, near Ashford
Position Type: Paid/Permanent
Part/Full Time: Full Time
Closing Date: 07 Apr 08
Website: Homeoe-oeKent Wildlife Trust : the largest active conservation charity in Kent

The volunteering place is a Big Cat Sanctuary as in Tigers, I'm into sort of outdoors work so not fussy really, this was quite close to home though.

Dan Salter · #13 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 12:32 AM

Yes very much that kind of job for starters...plus i volunteer for them so know them all quite well....sadly though im stuck in my degree for another year and a bit, so tend not to look at the jobs as its too frustrating that i cant do them yet...ill start looking when i get that bit of paper with "degree" on it.
But yes...thats the kind of thing although its no money for a single guy having to live on his own...i was on that money back in 2000 ha ha

Muggsy · #14 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lol geoff

I think Dan has summed it up well. I studied Wildlife Management as the final year option in City and Guilds horticulture at Honour Oak whilst working for London Borough of Bexley back in the 80's, and the course was a bit airy fairy to say the least. I worked in horticulture until Compulsory Competetive Tendering reared it's ugly head and found the job I loved had changed from landscaping, building wildlife gardens in schools, woodland and wildlife habitat management etc. to more of a grounds maintenance type job, marking out pitches, mowing bowling greens etc. Eventualy I left and did a bit of lorry driving and other outside type jobs in the building industry and now work in an office based environment and hate it, the pay's good but even after 11 years working indoors I still long to be outdoors no matter what the weather.

The trouble with doing this kind of work as a career is that there are loads of people, young and old, willing to do it for nothing. A bit of a catch 22 situation really, you need to do the job for free before you are considered to do the same job that you want to do for money, thus compounding the low wage problem.

"GEOFF" is that you ? if I said the words "prima" "Meg"

old english sheepdogs ?

sorry people carry on

lol geoff · #15 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muggsy

"GEOFF" is that you ? if I said the words "prima" "Meg"

old english sheepdogs ?

sorry people carry on

Nope sorry Muggsy they don't mean anything to me.....Now if you had said "Radio Times" "Heather"

Jack Russel Terriers?......
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.It still wouldn't have meant anything to me.

Muggsy · #16 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 01:44 PM

"heather"

whole heap of coincidences that mean nothing then,, sorry

the next clue would have been "heavy metal" "Procal Harem"

Dan Salter · #17 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 04:32 PM

trumpet

wax crayons

marmite

baco foil?

mean anything......is this a game? lol

Sparrowlegs · #18 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

trumpet

wax crayons

marmite

baco foil?

mean anything......is this a game? lol

LFC

Hicks

For Sale

Champions League

Losers

Just thought I'de join in!

Muggsy · #19 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 10:28 PM

ok, lets stop being silly, I know its my fault, I started it, I just thought that Geoff may have been an old friend and workmate from years ago, seems thats not the case.
I apologise for being responsible for hijacking the thread in the first place.

Dan Salter · #20 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 11:15 PM

Dont worry muggsy no ones having a go...just having a giggle thats all

Muggsy · #21 (**permalink**) 14-03-2008, 12:06 AM

a giggle you say, the one with the sparras legs is suggesting that Liverpool may be Champions League losers.
Cant see anything amusing in that at all

enaj · #22 (**permalink**) 18-03-2008, 05:17 PM

I've completely forgotten where this thread was going now!

Anyway, vaguely back to the original topic, I was very excited that I got to feed a large male tiger a chicken drumstick on my first volunteering session! and double bonus, I still have all ten fingers left, hurrah! Actually, this probably isn't very relevant on a Wild about Britain forum as you tend not to find that many tigers lurking about in the wild in our countryside but I still had to mention it!!

Dan Salter · #23 (**permalink**) 18-03-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enaj

I've completely forgotten where this thread was going now!

Anyway, vaguely back to the original topic, I was very excited that I got to feed a large male tiger a chicken drumstick on my first volunteering session! and double bonus, I still have all ten fingers left, hurrah! Actually, this probably isn't very relevant on a Wild about Britain forum as you tend not to find that many tigers lurking about in the wild in our countryside but I still had to mention it!!

Tigers...No...Lynx, Black leopard ( puma), and a whole host of other "big Cats"....Yes! ( ask your folks at the zoo, ill bet they will confirm it? or possible cover it up)

enaj · #24 (**permalink**) 27-03-2008, 05:09 PM

That's very true Dan, my Dad swears he saw a big black cat a few years ago when he was taking the dog for a walk very early one morning. He said he saw it slink along a hedge and then disappear into some woods. There have been sightings of them on my local village green too although I'm not sure if that isn't the locals imagining things after one too many beers at the local pub!!

It's kinda exciting to think of big cats living out in the Kent countryside though!

NatureTrainee · #25 (**permalink**) 28-03-2008, 11:17 AM

Hi there
I gave up my job to pursue a career in wildlife conservation, I have two degrees and I did a traineeship with a local wildlife trust (full-time volunteering for one year) and at the end of it no hope of getting a job. It is so competative out there that there is always someone with more experience than you - but voluntary experience is invaluable - HOWEVER don't give up, my experience is that you will work with a lovely bunch of people and if you can only afford to work in the sector for a few years then what a great few years you will have! Many people then go into consultancy so you can use skills for much better money. I myself have gone over to the naturalist side of things so rather than managing wildlife I am studying it - pay is a bit better and chances of getting a job higher!

Good luck!