Digital designer - recommended courses to aid jobs in environmental organisations?

[yorkshire_lass]

Hello,

I'm a digital designer and currently work for an agency, which I really enjoy. However, wildlife and conservation have always been big interests of mine and I have been thinking that in the future I would like to use my skills to work for a conservation/environmental organisation - in a digital/web design capacity.

In terms of relevant qualifications/experience, I have A-levels in biology and chemistry (albeit not great grades - I foolishly didn't knuckle down at the time - although I did a few years later and got a 1st in my New Media BA). Ironically I applied for ecology and zoology degrees and was offered places, but went with the the new media degree instead. I'm thinking that working as a web designer for an environmental organisation would be a great way to pursue both passions.

More importantly, I've arranged to volunteer for 2 months at an orang-utan sanctuary in Malaysian Borneo next year, during which time I'll be caring for orphaned and sick orangs, aiding in rehabilitating them, plus taking part in surveys with the rangers to monitor the wild population. I'm hoping this experience will help me decide where I want to take my career in the future, and that it may aid me in pursuing jobs within environmental organisations. I've also been looking into volunteering locally.

My question is this: would a distance learning qualification help make my CV look more appealing to potential employers (as the jobs I'd be looking for would be IT/design based)? I'm interested in doing a course to pursue my own personal interests anyway, but I'd like to pick one which could maybe help open doors in the future. I've looked at the Open University and they seem to offer a nice range (I'm thinking something ecology/environmental studies-based). I'm not necessarily looking at another degree; perhaps one of the shorter qualifications. Do employers take notice of these?

Thanks very much for any help!

[JennyS]

If you've already got the IT / web design skills why not put together a website for the orang-utan sanctuary in Malaysia, including photographs, survey reports etc etc?
It would be a very practical demonstration of your skills for prospective employers.

[yorkshire_lass]

Thanks for your reply - that's a great idea. The sanctuary already has its own website, but there's no reason why I couldn't create a blog-style site for myself about the experience and try raise awareness of the orang-utan's plight; demonstrating my skills as well as my passion for conservation - it could become a key portfolio piece as well.

Thanks again.

[eekoh]

If you're applying for IT / web design jobs I wouldn't have thought you'd need any specific qualifications relating to the actual client business. Being able to demonstrate an interest in wildlife might give you something extra to talk about at interview and maybe give you the edge if they have a choice between two equally well qualified candidates, but the thing they'll be really interested in is how good you are at your own role, ie design.

[burntfacedjake]

Have you thought about landscape architecture? With your digital skills you should breeze the artistic side. Leeds Met do a very good course if you want to convert an existing degree into a landscape qualification - One year to do the conversion and one year to do the Postgrad Diploma. Check out the landscape institute website for more info on what landscape architecture is all about.

By the way which sanctuary are you going to in Malaysia? Malaysian Borneo is a great place to visit and there are loads of wildlife 'must sees' to check out while you are there.

[yorkshire_lass]

Landscape architecture does sound interesting, I'll have to have a look at that course - cheers. I've been looking at a masters in biodiversity and conservation at Leeds Uni, which sounds fantastic - however in the meantime I've decided to do a (non-accredited) distance learning course with Exeter Uni on mammal ecology and conservation, to see how I find it, and if it is an area I would like to study more seriously (such as the masters).

The sanctuary in Malaysian Borneo is called Sepilok, which is near Sandakan. I'm hoping to see as much of the area's amazing wildlife as possible whilst there! I'm thinking that the hands-on experience I'll gain there, in addition to the academic aspect of the distance learning course will help me decide in what capacity I want to/can pursue my interest in wildlife and conservation in the future.

[burntfacedjake]

Good luck at Seplilok. I visited last year. There are also lots of other sites in Sabah worth seeing - The Kinabatangan River, Gomantong Caves, Danum Valley, Mount Kinabalu. There is great diving at Sipadan as well.

If you need any recommendations of places to stay do let me know. Try and visit Sarawak as well if you have time. I would definitely recommend Mulu National Park, Bako National Park, Kuching and the Bario Highlands.

Hope you manage to choose a course you like. Enjoy your trip to Borneo.