conservation biology vs wildlife conservation degree

[RKB]

Hi Jenny,

Originally Posted by Jenny W

I still don't see what the problem is? (In terms of my job, not nursing - they should be paid huge salaries for the brilliant job they do) Guess that's just me?

Well, yes, in an ideal world!. The point I was making is that 'popular' careers have lower salaries, as so many people are so enthusiastic that they will literally do it for nothing (or well below the 'market rate' for a similar level job). So employers can advertise jobs with a low salary, as they know there will always be applicants who see it as a vocation and don't care about the money. Yet we all need to pay the mortgage etc.

Originally Posted by Jenny W

Is that not primarily because most of those are government organisations, as opposed to voluntary organisations that rely on vols such as the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts? Forgive me if I'm wrong on this, to be honest I'm ignorant in that I don't know the breakdown of how organisations like NE, DEFRA, EA etc. are funded.

Spot on. Most of those have a large degree of state funding, and are public sector (formerly civil service). Compared to, say RSPB or BTO, FERA or Defra projects are very well funded and equipped (or, put another way, 'adequately funded'. RSPB usualyl have to do short projects based around a PhD, due to funding pressures, hence they may not get to the bottom of problems). The public sector don't tend to take on many volunteers becasue they don't need to, but they do have a responsibility to take on students (MSc, PhD) etc., which is where many go for their dissertations.

[Johnny Redgate]

I've just seen this advert on CJS. I hope we will see more of this as the way foward in training, rather than voluntary work placements.

BTCV Natural Talent Apprenticeships 2010

BTCV Scotland, in partnership with many of the UK’s leading conservation organisations and educational institutes, has the following apprenticeships available for 2010.


They are;

Marine Macroalgae (Seaweed) (SEPA in Aberdeen)

Malacology (Molluscs) (The National Museum Scotland, Edinburgh)

Headwater Stream ecology (Clyde River Foundation (Glasgow) and Buglife Scotland)

*Freshwater Invertebrates (Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (Slimbridge) & RSPB)

Brownfield site ecology, (Buglife Scotland)

Grassland Fungi (National Trust Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh)

*Invasive Non Native Species (Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust)

The apprenticeships are full time posts, between 12 and 18 months and come with a salary of £12560 per annum approx. Included in the package is a training, travel and equipment budget.

Full Job descriptions and application packs are available for download at BTCV Natural Talent or e-mail T.Burden@btcv.org.uk , 01786 479697

* Accommodation available

[Msk]

Originally Posted by thebeard

I'm currently at brackenhurst doing Bsc wildlife conservation. i think the course has its ups and downs, the best bit is actually going out and doing some practical work, especially the week out in spain in the second year, beautiful and brilliant. like metalfish says some of the staff are a bit rubbish, but some are absolutely fantastic and really know their stuff.
as for living in the middle of nowhere, i lived there in my first year and didn't like it much, but moved to nottingham for my 2nd and 3rd years which is fine, if you dont mind 40mins to get there on the bus.
the course covers stuff from habitat management and biodiversity surveying to more 'sciency' stuff like anatomy, health and genetics. theres very good ecology modules as well with dr nick ray, he is very knowledgeable, but hard to get on with!

hope this helps and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!!!

also- it was posted in october wsnt it????

Nottingham Trent uni is my first choice and I hope to be there in october this year to do Wildlife Conservation. I'm worrying that it is not going to be all I imagine it to be, the fact its out of the city doesnt bother me too much as I travel 2 hours there and back on 3 buses to college at the moment. I am although a little concerned about the lecturers and how good they are. Also another major curiosity is of the people I will be living by and in class with. What is it like socially there for our type of course? ( With being secluded and all , would be good to have friendly people about!)
Kayleigh

[RKB]

Originally Posted by Msk

Nottingham Trent uni is my first choice and I hope to be there in october this year to do Wildlife Conservation. I'm worrying that it is not going to be all I imagine it to be, the fact its out of the city doesnt bother me too much as I travel 2 hours there and back on 3 buses to college at the moment. I am although a little concerned about the lecturers and how good they are. Also another major curiosity is of the people I will be living by and in class with. What is it like socially there for our type of course? ( With being secluded and all , would be good to have friendly people about!)
Kayleigh

Lecturers are hit and miss, no matter where you are. What you need to do is buy the core course textbooks, as this is what the lectures are usually based on. It saves you writing too many notes (ninstead of listening), and lest you read around the subject without having to wait for library copies (which will always be booked out). Academic textbooks are not cheap, but £200 a year on books will make you life a hell of a lot easier.

Courses with field trips are always friendly and a good laugh, as you get out and about and you're all in the same boat, so don't worry. Just get out to the bars, join a few societies and hang around in the communal spaces. You'll make friends for life - everyone does.

[thebeard]

rkb has got it spot on!
as for brackenhurst itself, people there are all very friendly - both lecturers and fellow students - and all of them know their stuff very well. the reason i said stuff about some lecturers being a bit rubbish is that some are teaching courses to wildlife and countryside management students, when their expertise is in something else - not rubbish themselves, but it can sometimes be frustrating when you want to be learning about wildlife and they're talking about horses and dogs all the time . This is only in a few lectures and its really not that big a problem.
socially, there's plenty of stuff to do, i have my own mates in notts, but if you don't know anyone you can get to know them on social evenings as well as loads of extracurricular events such as conservation society field trips and activities and loads of other wildlife-related groups and events.