Wildlife/animal-related work?

[Vectisbirder]

Okay, I am after a bit of advice:

I'm in my late 30's and I currently work in an admin job as a temp (office admin or retail is all I'm qualified for) and would like to get out of it as I'm not that keen on it. I'm bored stiff with the 'normal' 9am-5pm office stuff and being stuck indoors all day. The problem is I have no qualifications except for those I walked out of the school gates with 21 years ago plus a 'merit' from a science access course I did 12 years ago.

I am considering changing careers because, as I said, I'm bored to death with office work plus being a temp and I can't abide the thought of going back into retail. So, how easy is it to get into jobs related to wildlife? Do I need to get a college qualification of some sort or is the best route in through volunteering, which I could do at weekends?

I do know that wages aren't high but as I have been in minimum wage jobs for a long time now, that's not a consideration for me. Not because I'm rich (far from it) but because I am used to it. I want job satisfaction more than money.

My current temp contract ends next April or May and then I'm off to Australia and south-east Asia for a bit, so this is something for me to do something about when I get back.

Many thanks
VB

[Amylou]

Im sure someone else will give you a more indepth answer but i will say get as much experience as you can!

[Dan Salter]

Hello matey....welcome

Firstly...been there done that exactly 2or 3 years back and being 35 no the feeling very well.

Its a big debate which crops up a lot on here....qualification v's volunteering....however...now im on year 3 of my countryside management degree i think the best answer is BOTH...get a quali of some kind on paper but back it up with as much volunteer exp as you can!

Before the degree i was doing 3 full days a week volunteering with my local wildlife trust...however studying sucks your free time so i squeeze in what i can whenever i can as well as 2 work placements which were part of my degree.

But...even i am worried how easy the job finding will be with a (hopefully) good degree and 3 years on and off volunteering exp...is a competitive industry and poorly paid so you have to LOVE it....but go for it!...and trust me...studying at 35 for the first time (never even did my a levels) has changed me so much for the better...
Oh and dont worry about qualifications as a 'mature student' they are lenaint and go on knowledge, passion and any past experience...(bird watching etc)

if you need any more advice/info then hit me up

Others may have different opinions though...im sure some people with no quali/degree have got in via volunteering and networking alone or vice versa.

[Vectisbirder]

Thanks for the input. It gives me something to think about. A degree's out because of the time and - particularly - money it would take. Maybe something along less ambitious lines?

[agrumpycow]

The route I'm taking is doing an OU degree in Environmental Studies and volunteering with the local wildlife trust.
I'm only in the first year of it (the degree could take up to 6 yrs with the OU) but, like you, I'm trying to change career completely.
Who knows if it'll work but at least volunteering you can 'get your face known' and pick up invaluable experience on the way.
OU courses can be expensive but there is a lot of financial help around if you ask them about it and the cost can be spread throughout the course which helps. I'm really enjoying it, even if I wasn't really prepared how much time it would take up!
Whatever you path you decide to take, good luck!

also, joining the local wildlife trust means I can take courses that they do for free which can be relevant and interesting

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

The route I'm taking is doing an OU degree in Environmental Studies and volunteering with the local wildlife trust.
I'm only in the first year of it (the degree could take up to 6 yrs with the OU) but, like you, I'm trying to change career completely.
Who knows if it'll work but at least volunteering you can 'get your face known' and pick up invaluable experience on the way.
OU courses can be expensive but there is a lot of financial help around if you ask them about it and the cost can be spread throughout the course which helps. I'm really enjoying it, even if I wasn't really prepared how much time it would take up!
Whatever you path you decide to take, good luck!

also, joining the local wildlife trust means I can take courses that they do for free which can be relevant and interesting

Ermm? since when?...ive always had to pay! even when working in their offices on work placement...granted there are 'free' family days, guided walks etc but the study days are around 20-25 a time? even as a member...or have i just been shafted all this time?

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Ermm? since when?...ive always had to pay! even when working in their offices on work placement...granted there are 'free' family days, guided walks etc but the study days are around 20-25 a time? even as a member...or have i just been shafted all this time?

Oops, sorry, my mistake
I meant that the courses are free to volunteers, with BBOWT anyway.

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

Oops, sorry, my mistake
I meant that the courses are free to volunteers, with BBOWT anyway.

Sorry but thats not true either...i am a long term member and long term volunteer and i still have to pay for courses....although....as a volunteer you are allowed to attend 1 study day of your choice per year for free....Not that good if like me you want to do all the study days!

Ahh i missed the BBOWT bit (which is where by the way?)...Maybe the KWT (Kent) are just ultra stingy then as we dont get it for free? =(

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Sorry but thats not true either...i am a long term member and long term volunteer and i still have to pay for courses....although....as a volunteer you are allowed to attend 1 study day of your choice per year for free....Not that good if like me you want to do all the study days!

Ahh i missed the BBOWT bit (which is where by the way?)...Maybe the KWT (Kent) are just ultra stingy then as we dont get it for free? =(

Maybe BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) are being extremely generous then Non-volunteers do pay! | Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildllife Trust |
I'm surprised others don't do it free, or at a reduced cost, to volunteers

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

Maybe BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) are being extremely generous then Non-volunteers do pay! | Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildllife Trust |
I'm surprised others don't do it free, or at a reduced cost, to volunteers

Since day one i have always thought the amount of days work for free they get out of me/us (or at least used to pre degree) the least they can offer is the courses for free which would ultimately benefit them anyway as they would have far more knowledgable volunteers or future members of staff..saying that....in 3 years i have yet to even recieve a free t shirt or polo shirt let alone the jumper or fleece that are supposed to be supplied to volunteers =(