Planning a career in animal conservation

day_dreamer · #1 (**permalink**) 20-08-2010, 01:56 PM

Hi there,

I've been reading this site for a few weeks now and found it an addictive place to be! I've just joined up today so I could ask some questions about a conservation career.

I've had a love of nature since I was young, but never considered it as a career path. I've since chosen motherhood which has rekindled my passion for nature through sharing it with my children. I'd love to be able to work in this sector when my kids have grown and I am able to work full time again.

I was wondering if I could write down my ideas for how to achieve this and ask you all for any advice or ideas to help it all be achieved?

First of all, I think the area I am interested in is conservation of animals. I am particularly interested in mammals. I'd love to be able to play a part in helping to maintain habitats for them and to keep an eye on them.

I'd also like to study at a higher level, having never been to university before. This is for both help in a career path and also just proof to myself that I can study at this level. I've always wanted to go to university! I have applied for a foundation degree in Landscape, Heritage and Conservation and have an interview in a couple of weeks about it. It's a 3 year course and is both distance study and residential schools which as far as I can see will fit in fantastically with my life at the moment. All of the modules look like things I will enjoy learning about so fingers crossed it might be the uni course I've been waiting for! My only worry I think, is that it's not specifically about animal conservation, but I'm hoping that a more general course is a good idea anyway in case I find another passion while learning.

Which then brings me to voluntary work. At the moment I am a bit worried that I won't be able to fit in much. I can only really do Sundays and even then I'm not sure I can commit to *every* Sunday just yet. Obviously when my kids get older I'll hopefully be able to do more. I'm thinking that I should join the local bat and mammal groups as a start and keep an eye out for ad hoc type volunteering things for now. Does this sound like a plan? Can anyone add anything else for me to think about?

Also, by the time I'll be in a position to be looking for paid work I will be in my late 30's. Do you think this will be against me or will it have no effect?

Sorry if this is a bit disjointed or rambling, if anyone has taken the time to read and can offer any help then I will be very grateful

Budding Ecologis · #2 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 11:33 AM

Hi Day Dreamer,

Sounds like you have it all planned.

I have just finished my first year at University on a similar course and believe that this type of study gives you a good all round holistic view of the conservation / ecological sector.

However I have found that this has meant that I have had to cram in as much voluntary / survey work as possible to get experience in the area that I would like to work within (all paid conservation jobs are very competitive). Local societies are always a good idea to get involved with and a great place to network; a bat society would probably be a good idea for yourself as it would be easier to find a babysitter in the evening, (that is if you have an interest in bats and even if you don’t it looks good on the CV anyway). Plus there is always the opportunity of doing a masters at the end of your degree, which is more specific to your chosen career.

Although a lot of positions require a degree, experience is always a fundamental part of getting a job, and once the kids are old enough to go to school / play school, I would recommend trying to get as much as possible, this being said ‘quality is always more important than quantity’.

My only concern would be distance learning; you miss out on experiences of one to ones with lecturers, field trips and have to be very motivated to get your work done (especially with the kids). However you have to pick the best learning style for you.

Hope this has been of some use.

Best Wishes

day_dreamer · #3 (**permalink**) 24-08-2010, 08:49 PM

Thanks for the reply Budding Ecologist - just noticed you're local to me. Perhaps we'll see each other about?

I agree with the worry about distance learning and the discipline. I hope I can do well at it, but time will tell. I also hope that the residential schools will provide some great experience in the field. Which is why I liked this course over an OU degree. Hopefully once I've been to my interview I'll feel happy about it all.

How have you enjoyed your first year of the degree?

The voluntary experience I feel will definitely be the sticking point at the moment. What you say about 'Quality over quantity' is interesting too, hopefully it will work out that way!

Good luck in your studies anyway and thanks again

Budding Ecologis · #4 (**permalink**) 27-08-2010, 10:16 AM

Hi day dreamer.

The first year has been good, but has been more of an overview than in depth studies of specific areas. This year should be more in depth.

I hope your interview goes well.

day_dreamer · #5 (**permalink**) 15-09-2010, 08:09 PM

Just to say that my interview went well, and I start the course on Saturday. I'm local to the course and actually it's only distance learning if you need it to be and as I can hopefully get to the tutorials it's going to be more like a proper P/T course. I'm really pleased about this as I think I will enjoy it more, but good to have the distance learning being an option too as there is a possibility of a move for us, but it means I can keep with my studies.

I've joined my local bat group and mammal group recently and hoping to get involved more there.

Hope you enjoy getting back to your studies Budding Ecologist!