IEEM Membership

[honeybee]

Hi I am new to here. I am trying to get a job in the environmental sector (such as ecologist). I notice most posts (all be them ones out of my league anyway) require you to be a member of IEEM. Their website isn't the most helpful. Is anyone on here a member, how do you become one? Cheers.

[pheonix]

You can become a member if you work in a job based on/in environment. Decide which level you can aply for by looking at their criteria, it depends mostly on your education and experience. Im not sure now if you need references or not?
If i was you I'd fill in an application form and give it a go

[honeybee]

Thanks for your reply. So you're saying working in Asda's not gonna get me in?! I just do voluntary work at the mo, BTCV and the council. Yeah I will apply anyway. I am a graduate and I know they do student memberships.

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by honeybee

Hi I am new to here. I am trying to get a job in the environmental sector (such as ecologist). I notice most posts (all be them ones out of my league anyway) require you to be a member of IEEM. Their website isn't the most helpful. Is anyone on here a member, how do you become one? Cheers.

Hello and welcome to WAB, neighbour

It seems to be very difficult to get a job in the environmental sector, even with the right qualifications. At least not anything that pays enough to live on. However don't let that put you off. Perhaps if you got involved with the work of the Gloucestershire Naturalists Society or Gloucstershire Wildlife Trust on a voluntary basis you could get your foot in the door so to speak.

With regard to the IEEM website they do seem to mention all the reasons for joining but not how to - unless I'm missing something. I'd email them or preferably just give them a call, if I were you. Go directly to the source

[Dan Salter]

Can someone enlighten me what the IEEM is?...

(im guessing at least one of the E's will be Environment or Ecology(ist)?)

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Can someone enlighten me what the IEEM is?...

(im guessing at least one of the E's will be Environment or Ecology(ist)?)

Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

edit: Here's the site: http://www.ieem.org.uk/Home.htm

[Dan Salter]

ahhh those chaps !...ok thanks alan
I still dont understand why you have to be a member to post here?

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

ahhh those chaps !...ok thanks alan
I still dont understand why you have to be a member to post here?

You don't! You have to be a member to post there (IEEM forum)!

.....as far as I know

[Dan Salter]

Oh right thats what she meant!

[honeybee]

haha, sorry I mean posts as in jobs. thanks for the replys guys. i was Vol Officer with BTCV and am now doing voluntary again a bit when i can.

[Dan Salter]

ahhh and suddenly it all makes sense ha ha

I am about to do a degree in countryside management but looking at the entry criteria just now on the IEEM site i dont think i stand a chance...

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by honeybee

haha, sorry I mean posts as in jobs. thanks for the replys guys. i was Vol Officer with BTCV and am now doing voluntary again a bit when i can.

IEEM membership is a necessity for most ecologist jobs as it is an easy way for them to assess your ecological knowledge etc but I have never seen it required for the conservation field. If you do want to be an ecologist you probably out to target your volunteering on things ecological too.

If you want to work in conservation as a ranger / warden / estate worker etc I would say forget IEEM and join the CMA (countryside manager association) instead - it is a lot cheaper and more relevant too.

If you want to be a tree officer then it might be worth looking at the guild otr arboriculturalists- you cant be a full member till you are qualified but they have associate member status available.

and if you want to be a landscape officer ILAM (Institute of landscape archtitects and managers) is probably your best bet.

Mind you I have been working in conservation for fourteen years and I'm not a member of any of them and never have been.

[Dan Salter]

Good info thanks eeyore....I had pretty much decided the CMA would be my route a while back but i didnt know of the IEEM until tonight....but i dont think its so relevant to what im going to be doing.

[Gill Catton]

I am in the process of becoming a full member. It really is essential if you want to be a good consultant it gives you a good back stop - not only is it the assuarence for the client that you are properly qualified but also lets them know that they can't get anyway with anything inapproriate because being a member means you will be reporting anything that's not done as agreed .

as for how to get a job..... Network..... Do all the conferences (BCT, BTO, BOU) that you can and lots of voluntary work join barn owl groups, reptile groups bat groups and network for all your life's worth (!) and if you can build up field skills, that will give you an edge because there seems to be fewer and fewer coming out of uni with any!

good luck, if you need any further advice please shout

[Preseli]

They do graduate membership as well now which you can apply for as soon as you've got an honours degree under your belt and are actively searching for ecology work. Then you need two years professional experience to become an associate member and start putting letters after your name.

(They've set up a Chartered Environmentlist qualification type thingy now as well, same as if your a Chartered Engineer etc, but thats once you've got 4 years professional experience, its a long old road!! )