Career in Ecology

[kate_jackson]

I was wondering if anyone could offer course advice?

I have a Ba Hons degree and Post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture and am currently working part time (3 days as week) as a Landscape architect and volunteering (2 days) with the wildlife trust. I have been volunteering since Dec 2009 and am gaining great knowledge and skills in habitat managment and ecological surveying and a now wanting to pursue a career in the ecology field. I feel that i need to do a course to develop a core foundatIion in the subject as the sector is increasingly competetive and from what i have researched so far i feel that i will not get a single interview without the relevant qualification.

I am located in the Greater Manchester / Lancashire area and am looking to do a masters course (open university if possible) or if anyone can recommend another course type that is well established and recognised i would be very grateful.

[kate_jackson]

Advice required

[RobSutton]

I'd suggest doing an M.Sc. in some Ecology or Conservation based subject. If you look in the British Wildlife journal they have adverts from places like University of Sussex (M.Sc. in Biodiversity Survey) and University of Leeds (M.Sc. in Biodiversity & Conservation). I've had contact with students from both these courses and the courses generally have good reputations but there are others in there as well.

[Johnny Redgate]

Originally Posted by kate_jackson

I was wondering if anyone could offer course advice?

I have a Ba Hons degree and Post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture and am currently working part time (3 days as week) as a Landscape architect and volunteering (2 days) with the wildlife trust. I have been volunteering since Dec 2009 and am gaining great knowledge and skills in habitat managment and ecological surveying and a now wanting to pursue a career in the ecology field. I feel that i need to do a course to develop a core foundatIion in the subject as the sector is increasingly competetive and from what i have researched so far i feel that i will not get a single interview without the relevant qualification.

I am located in the Greater Manchester / Lancashire area and am looking to do a masters course (open university if possible) or if anyone can recommend another course type that is well established and recognised i would be very grateful.

Hi Kate

I would make sure you take all those skills you have learned as a landscape architect - drawings, specifications, design, BoQ, contract management etc - with you. There is work to be done in creative ecology from wildlife gardening to woodland design to ecological restoration. I wish more landscape architects had a strong background in ecology and more ecologists had a strong background in practical landscape restoration/creation/management.

[kate_jackson]

Thanks to everyonefor the advice.

I've also been looking at diploma courses before enrolling onto an MSC course. There's one study from home course in particular that i'm interested in with "COMPASS education and training" that is an Introduction to Ecology Certificate, however there are no testimonials on the website from previous students.

Does anyone have any good / bad feedback about compass courses?