Advice - no idea!

[Amylou]

I have read many of the threads on here and found a lot of advice already. But i want to put down my information and maybe find some more specific help.

I am currently in my last year of my Animal Biology degree at Napier uni in Edinburgh. I only have my project to do now, which i am looking forward to as il actually be able to get my hands dirty!
I transfered to this degree at the end of 2nd year from Vet Nursing. I loved the job but the degree wasnt for me plus i wanted something more challenging. I have loved most of what i have done in the Biology degree, and hated other aspects (stats!!).
So i am now thinking about what i want to do with myself when i leave. Il admit that despite having a love of wildlife and the countryside and having a father that worked for SEPA i never intended doing biology as a career. I love getting my hands stuck in and actually handing animals. I had disillusions of being stuck in a lab all day I now know there is so much more out there!!

So my question is now where do i go? I havnt done any volunteer work as in my teenage years and first part of uni i mainly gained experience in vets or animal care jobs. I would love a job that was more out doors and field work and working with the animals to an extent. I am wary of jobs that involve a lot of work with education or such as i am not a very good public speaker at all (slight speech impediment that is worse with nerves) and i know that shouldnt hold me back but i would not be happy with the stress that sort of situation puts me in

My plan of action is to first graduate then spend some time volunteering to find what interests me. I would rather work within the UK rather than go off to some exotic country to study spiders or something Not that it wouldnt interest me but i am a home bird.

I had thought of doing an Msc but after 6 years of higher education (i did a HND in animal care) i am longing for a normal life and some sort of wage!

So well done if you got through that. If any more info is needed then feel free to ask.

[Amylou]

Anyone anything to add? Im sure you probably feel like you are repeating yourself

[zan]

what about getting in touch with the SSPCA\RSPB to train as a wildlife warden? Depends on the type of animals you're really wanting to work with, but that might be a place to start?

You might find that you need to get some volunteer experience under your belt to show you've got practical ability as well as the knowledge, but you should be able to find loads of local wildlife projects going on if you have a hunt about. Libraries and your local authority might advertise for volunteers for various projects.

Zan

[moo]

hello - I'm at Napier too. Just an idea, but have you thought about doing a part-time MSc so you can work and volunteer at the same time? Youd certainly be in the right place..

[honedan]

HI mate,

Well I can say I have been where you are.

I did a ND in animal care and worked as a zoo keeper in the UK and RSPCA, RSPB.

After a couple of changes in direction I am now a ecological consultant for my sins. So enough of my wittering.What I learnt was be true to your heart. Ask your self why you like working with animals. If it is because like me you like to make a difference. Ask yourself how much of a difference.

Paignton zoo do a great course in zoo keeping which may be what you are looking for.

Volunteering is always an option although try to think where you want to be in 10years e.g quality of life. This may sound odd although the first paid job you get will be judged partly on your previous experience.


For example a 1 week research placement with turtles in turkey is not going to help you get that many jobs.

No jobs will be without public speaking. It sounds like you are bright and have it within you get around this.

There is always consultancy. I do surveys for plants, Dormice, bats, newts, birds, reptiles and any protected species you care to mention. Although at this time of year it is pretty quite. Although it is starting to pick up.

The money is better than a zoo keeper although we tend you work long hours in the office especially in the winter. If you are interested in consultancy let me know.

good luck

dan

[Amylou]

Thanks for the replies! They really are a help.

Just an idea, but have you thought about doing a part-time MSc so you can work and volunteer at the same time?

I have thought about the Wildlife Biology and Conservation Msc but truthfully i just want away from a class room! I have had 6 years of higher education and i really need to get away from exams and essays. Plus i already have about £20,000 of student loan to pay off and im not sure if i would get funding for the Msc. What are you doing at Napier? What year?

try to think where you want to be in 10years e.g quality of life.

I have never seen myself working for 'The Man' as it were! I have always seen myself with land and animals and helping the countryside i grew up in, whether it be the animals or the environment. I have found being involved with the animals more rewarding. However saying all that i have a love of art and crafts too. This may sound quite random but i love basket making and want to start clay sculpting. Its a love i have always had but i made myself see the in real world getting a job or being self employed in selling my art was not going to happen. So as i have gone through my degree that has fallen by the way side.
Now my OH is tempting me with the offer of supporting me while i try and get back into my art! And maybe eventually open my own business!
This is nothing to do with wildlife which is my problem. After doing all this degree etc i dont think i would want to not use it.

No jobs will be without public speaking. It sounds like you are bright and have it within you get around this.

It is one thing that has always held me back! I know i have the brains, but when it comes to me acutally opening my gob to show i have them it all goes wrong and i end up looking stupid! This may be what is making me consider the self employed route! To an extent i could control my daily life and could hide away if i felt like it

what about getting in touch with the SSPCA\RSPB to train as a wildlife warden?

This is one option i had thought about through my degree. I would be more in contact with the animals and also hopefully use the knowledge i have gained from the degree. I think i might look that up...! Im not fussed about the pay really! I was going to be a vet nurse!!

[muckshifter]

... when it comes to me acutally opening my gob to show i have them it all goes wrong and i end up looking stupid! This may be what is making me consider the self employed route!

LoL ... you do know if you do decide to go self employed, you is gonna find you'll need the 'gift of the gab' more-so than in most employment.

One can but try ... you may find, in the right 'job', you get to use your love of art and crafts too.


Good luck,
regards, mucks

[Amylou]

Originally Posted by muckshifter

LoL ... you do know if you do decide to go self employed, you is gonna find you'll need the 'gift of the gab' more-so than in most employment.

Which is why i should get a real job! Lol!

[moo]

Originally Posted by Amylou

What are you doing at Napier? What year?
:

MSc Aquatic ecosystems. Well; someone's got to. Also run own business: it's a right pain in the proverbial and I can't wait to get a proper job. Not to be undertaken lightly would be my advice!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Practical volunteer experience, and plenty of it. As good as some of the many qualifications out there now and many employers view this favourably, as long as you have a relevant qualification for what you want to do. Too many grads nowadays are loaded up with bits of paper, but don't know how to use a simple tools, such as bowsaws, properly.

Cheers,

Adam

[Matra Man]

Hi Amylou !

One volunteering option I haven't seen mentioned so far is the BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers).

This organisation is great to get you started, and the the work is varied: scrub removal, pond maintenance, hedge-laying, coppicing, path and step construction, etc.

You can progress from being an "ordinary" vol to vol officer and co-leading tasks. You'd be trained in health & safety regulations, first aid, plus learning a lot about the countryside.

There are local offices over most of Britain.

Good luck with whatever you do !

Colin, in the Mátra Mountains of Hungary.

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