Wildlife Conservation

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by eeyore

true but the rules for mature students are different to those for people going to uni straight out of school - Nakafia says that she is 17 - the exeter access to education arrangement is paid for out of a govt grant aimed at getting people back into education and I have a feeling that she wont be eligible.

Ah - okay I'd forgotten about that...oops, sorry

[maccyd82]

I did a Zoology degree with a sandwich year which i cant recommend it highly enough. Some of the placements you even get paid although the one i did was voluntary. I think the sandwich year definitley gives you an edge on other students who have gone stright through in 3 years when it comes to getting jobs.

I would do as much voluntary stuff as you can now to get an idea of what you want to get into and perhaps do a generic degree like biology? Then once youve finished youll have an idea of the direction you want to take and have lots of voluntary experienc under your belt already.

I volunteered for 6 months after i graduated and then got a paid 6 month contract with the rspb, and then the wildlife trust. I then got a permenant job in consultancy (such a sell out!) which pays better and has better progression prospects than being a ranger for example. It took me a while to get where i wanted but its worth it - i love my job!

Hope this is helpful to you.

[NuttyMeg]

Originally Posted by maccyd82

I volunteered for 6 months after i graduated and then got a paid 6 month contract with the rspb, and then the wildlife trust. I then got a permenant job in consultancy (such a sell out!) which pays better and has better progression prospects than being a ranger for example. It took me a while to get where i wanted but its worth it - i love my job!

Hope this is helpful to you.

Was certainly helpful to me!

Nakafia, I'm in the middle of a Zoology degree at the moment, and since I've started it I've become a registered volunteer for the RSPB and help out at a kite feeding station, as well as helping out at an after school club run by the Wildlife trust. Although these things only take up a few hours of my time, the hours soon build up and before you know it you've got a fair few behind you which is always a bonus when applying for jobs and such.

If you are seriously contemplating a Conservation/animal-based degree then I would recommend it, and if you have the right oppurtunity to go on a gap year/industrial work placement then that's strongly recommended too, both these things will definitely contribute to your attractiveness as an employee when you go on after university.

Also think very carefully about where you want to go. A university in the middle of a big city is not necessarily the best spot for environmental study but then there are so many unis out there that I can no doubt be proved wrong! Thoroughly check out local areas surrounding the uni, any reserves nearby? Sanctuaries?

Volunteering is definitely the way forward when winning favour in an employers eyes

HTH.

[SpitwolF]

might be a little late with this info. But I do a course on wildlife conservation at Nottingham Trent University.

It's good fun, and lots of practical modules outside which I prefer.

Check it out, there are other courses which you prefer as well, like countryside management.

Marc

[greggreggreg]

Hi Charlotte,

I volunteer for The Great Primate Handshake, which is a media training project that promotes wildlife conservation in Africa. check out: The Great Primate Handshake
The Handshake is holding an event in collaboration with The Vervet Monkey Foundation this Saturday at the Tiger Tiger in Piccadilly Circus.

This event is free and its purpose is to engage with anyone interested in conservation, if it be helping monkeys or the environment. There will be lots of great contacts to be made and exciting volunteering opportunities to discuss.

I thought this may be something that would interest you. I do have a flyer that I can forward to you by email as well if you want more info.

Kind regards,


Greg


Saturday 25th October 12 - 4pm
Tiger Tiger, Piccadilly Circus, London,

[zan]

There's loads of good advice in here so far, but if you're going to do a degree, I can't stress how good a work placement year will be for you. I'm did marine biology in Glasgow with a work placement year which was excellent, and let me graduate with a MSci instead of a BSc(hons). The placement was a huge help in getting a good degree in my final year, and also taught me practical skills and I got to meet a lot of people working in the field. All of it is great for your career!

Hope you're getting some ideas from this thread anyway, and let us know how you get on


Ach! Just seen the date on the first post!

[KeenTeen17]

I am in the same boat really. I just signed up for a project done by the Wildlife Trust called the Trails Project. I am also doing a talk in front of nature society near me about flowers and fungi and getting paid for it (hopefully that should give me a start) ! you could always go into that

[charlesbabes]

would do as much voluntary stuff as you can now to get an idea of what you want to get into and perhaps do a generic degree like biology? Then once youve finished youll have an idea of the direction you want to take and have lots of voluntary experienc under your belt already.

[Nakafia]

Hey everyone!!! cheers for your suggestions!! I've finally found a course that i think might be for and and will take me to where i want to go!! I've applied for a zoology degree and can't wait!!

P.S...on the good advice of charlesbabes i've also applied for biology!

[charlesbabes]

YOu are always welcome Nakafia

All The Best for future