countryside management jobs

[daisydoo]

Hi

I'm in my final year of a Geography degree and I'm interested in going into countryside management.

I've been looking at doing a masters and have found only a very few courses that offer what i want.

Wondered what people's opinions/experiences were on whether a masters is really worth it for this kind of job or whether it's better to just get out there and start volunteering and getting some proper practical experience.

Thanks

[Adam Cheeseman]

The more volunteering you can get under your belt the better. I would say a masters is a bit over the top for getting into countryside management, unless you intend to specialise rather than standard rangering. Your best bet would be to look for a course that offers a significant amount of practical curriculum rather than all theory with the odd field trip. Most employers are looking for Higher National Diploma or Degree level in a relevant qualification
Try Merrist Wood College, Sparsholt College, Wye College for starters.

Cheers,

Adam

[burntfacedjake]

I think Adam's advice is right. Groundwork can be quite good for getting voluntary experience, and of course there's BTCV and the Wildlife Trusts. Any organisation that runs a nature reserve or carries out conservation work will be likely to want volunteers. Just ask around and make contacts.
On a slightly different tack maybe you could take a postgrad conversion to landscape architecture. Landscape architects basically design outdoor spaces and that can be anything from city squares to forests. I did a geography degree originally and converted it to landscape architecture and was glad I did. It might not be up your street but its worth looking at. Check out the Landscape Institute's website for more information

[Badllarma]

It's funny I lost count of how many country side rangers jobs I've a applied for one very rare one was right on my door step in fact in Manchester (I was willing to travel).

I've 10 years working as a full time gamekeeper with qualifications (gamekeeping) and never heard back from one of them I always assume it's because I've no fancy degree in the subject as I've practical experience coming out of my ears in land and woodland management

[daisydoo]

thanks for the replies - i've looked at those colleges and some of them offer some really good courses. it just seems like i'd be taking a step back having done these three years (some of through which i've been gritting my teeth feeling like its not really been that relevant!)

i forgot to say in my message that i have been doing bits of volunteering with the national trust and BTCV for the last few years so i do have some experience though i've never done any practical qualifications like chainsaw use, heavy machinery etc. are these the kind of things you can pick up in the job or do employers expect you to have them on application?

[Secdean]

Yes it would be a step back, but maybe you should look for somthing that suits your education. Perhaps working as an adviser? to Community forests.

Speaking of Community forests, Badllarma have you looked at the Red Rose Forest and the Red Rose Forest Trust, for jobs? They have over 40 Green streets projects that require over seeing, not to mention Orchard grants from the Lottery.

[Badllarma]

Hi Secdean,
Yes last one applied for was part of Red Rose Forest Trust they were turning over old farm land to new woodland just outside Whitefield never heard back

[Secdean]

Well they have had some issues with trees dieing off, because of being planted on brown feild sites, the gases killing off roots, mostly at Hacken Lane woods.
Are Red rose forest and Red rose forest trust the same or two sepreate bodies?

[Badllarma]

Really not sure, the job itself when I think back was for the forestry commission but the wood was part of the Red Rose forest. so not for the trust.

Red Rose Forest is pretty much every patch off open space (but mainly woodland) around the greater Manchester areas that is not privately owned, from my understanding.

I know a number of groups manage this, Forestry commission to name one but it all comes under "The Red Rose Forest".

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by daisydoo

thanks for the replies - i've looked at those colleges and some of them offer some really good courses. it just seems like i'd be taking a step back having done these three years (some of through which i've been gritting my teeth feeling like its not really been that relevant!)

i forgot to say in my message that i have been doing bits of volunteering with the national trust and BTCV for the last few years so i do have some experience though i've never done any practical qualifications like chainsaw use, heavy machinery etc. are these the kind of things you can pick up in the job or do employers expect you to have them on application?

my feeling is that you should concentrate on building up your experience and vocational skills like first aid and chainsaw and leave the masters for later.

Most jobs do require a degree/hnd in a related subject but your geography degree will already tick that box, so your time would be better spent volunteering to build up your experience ( most employers are looking for 6 months to a years exp minimum for first position)

regarding the vocational training although you can just pay for it yourself you should ideally look for a volunteers scheme where at least some training is provided.