What should I do? Please help.

[rag07]

Hey there, I'm 18 years old and currently doing my A levels. I really want to go into wildlife conservation and research - it is something that I am very interested in and always have been. I am especially interested in big cats, primates and animal evolution. This really isn't a whim as I really want to do this as a living and can't imagine doing anything else with my life.

There is just one very big problem. My A levels are English Lit, Philosophy and Art with and AS is Maths and I have a place in Bristol uni for a course in Philosophy. Don't get me wrong, I love philosophy, but i really want to do zoology - not only cos of the degree itself but because it will allow me to go into the career I really want to be in - as a valued, contributing team member anyways. I know this is all my own fault - I should have sorted myself out much earlier but it just didn't occur to me to make a career out of something which is as much of a hobby to me as this is. I know I sound stupid but I feel so frustrated that I have let this happen.

I can't just decline and reapply next year because, firstly I need biology and preferably some other science (would my maths AS be enough for this second requirement?) to do zoology and secondly my parents are pressuring me to just get a degree asap so they won't be happy with a gap year.

Is there anything I can do? Or am I just going to have to accept that it is too late? Will a philosophy degree get me anywhere? Please can someone help me!

Thanks for reading about my pickle and I hope you can help.

[Picidae]

Hi Rag

A couple of suggestions (from someone embarking on a second degree and many years of environmental/conservation work behind me)

The first thing I'd do is contact the Admissions office at Bristol as soon as possible and discuss your options. Universities are pretty flexible these days. You could even discuss an access course or doing an extra A level (Biology?) as an evening class if your heart's set on Zoology. Check also what minor subjects are offered as options in any Degree course you consider changing to ... there's often a wide variation in the minor courses you can do whilst majoring in your chosen subject. (on my first Degree - LLB Law - I specialised in Environmental Law in my third year and ended up working for an Environmental Law firm as well as later drafting a local environmental manifesto for a major political party in local elections among working in a lot of other different conservation orientated capacities over the years).

Alternatively, you could stick with the Philosophy. Research is a skill you will learn on any Degree course and it's often said that the skills you learn on any Degree is universal to every subject ... skills most employers seek ... ability to prioritise work, research, making presentations, IT skills, working as a team, ability to focus and commit as well as processing large amounts of information.

While a gap year might not be the right way forward in your particular circumstances, there is nothing to stop you finding a few hours voluntary work with a UK animal charity once a week while you are doing your Degree.

Whatever Degree you chose, you will leave University equipped to do most Admin jobs, many Research Posts, have good organisational skills etc etc. However, it's the hands on voluntary work that will stand you in excellent stead also.

Chat with your parents, I'm sure they'd want what would make you the happiest and are far more likely to support you through university if they can see that you are really committed to the course you want to do rather than risk the possibility of you dropping out after the first year having made a wrong choice!

Good luck.

[rag07]

Thanks a lot for your help Picidae!

I am going to contact Bristol asap and ask about an access course or extra a levela etc.

If I keep with philosophy would I be able to get into animal conservation as a researcher etc. I thought due to the fact that it is a science I would need to know about science etc. To be honest, if I can do philosophy and still go into conservation then that would be ideal - not only practically speaking but then maybe I can get the best of both worlds cos I still love philosophy. I am definitely going to start voluntary work this summer.

Thanks again for all your help, its been really useful!

[soph1962]

Hi
I can't add to Picadie's great advice, except to say - please don't think that at 18 years old it's too late to do anything (except have your 17th birthday

There is so much pressure to make supposedly rest-of-your-life decisions at such a young age, it's absolutely ludicrous.

If you want to work in this area, you will. Voluntary work is a brilliant route to go down - you will meet like-minded people, be able to network etc etc.

Good luck

[rag07]

thanks soph! It is really annoying with people telling you that the decisions i make now affect my life when, in perspective, they won't. I just got voluntary work booked for the summer and I'm looking forward to it!
Thanks for your encouragement .

[Words]

Hi, I work at a university and I'll be honest and say it's unlikely that a Philosophy degree will get you into conservation fieldwork, at least not without a lot of additional training and study. Philosophy is a fantastically useful subject (and highly employable), but for most of the conservation/ecology areas you almost certainly need a science background unless you specialize in ethics, in which case Philosophy could be very useful. Philosophy will give you a broad general background, and will allow you to get into the conservation policy areas. Ethics is a hugely important field these days.

The nearest 'obvious' alternative I can see at Bristol is Psychology & Philosophy, but that also seems to require a science A-level. It includes coverage of cognitive science which is useful for biological research areas (you may be able to cover this in straight Philosophy as well, worth checking).

I've also checked out the main Philosophy programme structure. In year 2 you can take Philosophy of Biotechnology (useful) plus an open unit (so presumably some freedom to choose), and in the final year you have a lot of scope including 'animal rights?' and the 'Philosophy of Biology'. Given these options (which look positive), definitely talk to the Philosophy department about future directions. The programme looks very flexible and at least one member of faculty there specializes in the Philosophy of Evolution. Find out what areas that line specialization can get you into.

The really important thing to do is talk to the university about the options, not only for module choices but also for postgraduate study.

Hope this is useful. PM me if you need more info. I don't work at Bristol but do know a fair bit about UK universities (I work in university policy and development).

[Gaina]

Hello Rag07,

I am not qualified to advise you about the conservation but I just wanted to let you know that at 36 I've just found out what my passion is, so you have plenty of time.

I'm doing a Foundation Degree in Applied Art and Design at the moment. I graduate next year then do a B.A. 'Top Up'.

So, it's great to be focussed and commited to what you're doing but don't forget to enjoy it and make room for the possibility that in ten years time your goals may have changed completely but you'll still have bags of time to persue a new path if you want to.

Good luck .

[rag07]

thanks words and Gaina for your help!
Its really kind of you, words, to research into my course. going into conservation policy, although not exactly what I want to do, also appeals to me as I will still have an opportunity to make a difference. Im really lucky to have a philosophy of evolution specialist at my chosen university cos I am really interested in it. Thanks again for the insight - I think I'm going to phone Bristol and ask about postgraduate prospects.
Also, thanks Gaina for your encouragement - I guess it is possible for me to get into what I want, it just might take longer.

[shirl]

Originally Posted by Gaina

Hello Rag07,

I am not qualified to advise you about the conservation but I just wanted to let you know that at 36 I've just found out what my passion is, so you have plenty of time.

I'm doing a Foundation Degree in Applied Art and Design at the moment. I graduate next year then do a B.A. 'Top Up'.

So, it's great to be focussed and commited to what you're doing but don't forget to enjoy it and make room for the possibility that in ten years time your goals may have changed completely but you'll still have bags of time to persue a new path if you want to.

Good luck .

I agree , you have loads of time to change paths as you find out more about what you really want to do, I graduated with a first class BSc Hons in Natural Sciences at the young (!!!) age of 52 and I work for a local wildlife trust now. My regret - not doing the degree a little bit earlier!

Good luck with whatever course you choose

Shirl

[Jenny W]

If you do decide to go for a postgraduate course, there are loads of Conservation/Countryside Management MSc's available nowadays - not sure if at Bristol though.

Not wishing to influence any decisions of complete strangers! - but just wanted to say that I decided in my early teenage years that I wanted to go into conservation and followed it through and have never looked back - I could never do anything else - so even though you are young and still have loads of time to change your mind, if you think conservation is for you then go for it! Some people do know what they want to do early on in their lives - I did and I wasn't wrong