Volunteering/Studying

[Tracey89]

Hello All!

Its been a while since i was last here! Ive since finished my National Diploma at college which was a total joke, the course was ran badly in the 2nd year, tutors just left without warning we hardly did any pratical and it was all therory work!!

Im now currently working in the care sector which I hate Ive not done much countryside related in the last year and a half but i really miss being outside and doing work outside!

Ive just recently got in touch with my local council about doing some volunteering next year, im also looking into doing an enviromental course with the OU just to top up my knowlage but it is something I would like to get back into.

Tracey

[Fuzzy-felt bloke]

Hi Tracey

My last job was a lecturer in an FE college and I can understand why staff leave, the money not bad compared to some Countryside Management jobs, but the working conditions are appalling with long hours in the evening and weekend without pay, no wonder so many staff leave. The ND in Countryside Management is more theory than practical if you were told any different they lied to you, also the practical are put in to the first year to keep students on the course, once students start their final year they are less likely to drop out, it’s all about money!!

Of course this is no help to you, I would suggest that you do a Foundation Degree or a three year degree depending on your financial position, this needs to be done sooner rather than later as fees will be going through the roof soon. That is if you are still interested in completing a degree, which are miles apart from an ND. If you decide to go with OU please be aware of the time required to complete a course as well as your job and social life, it can be done but it is hard. In fact if I had two candidates in front of me for a job interview I would select the one with an OU degree than someone with a full three year degree, it shows that they can manage time and they are hard working.

You could volunteer and build up a working relationship with various organisations as a ND is still worth something, and you could get a job out of it.

Best of luck.

Fuzzy-Felt Bloke

[Brocakat]

You could try 'Distance Learning' ( i.e. on Computer, with accredited Modules ) - there is Myerscough College and a certain-college-based-in-Cambridge (SORRY I don't know their name ) - which run those.

But they don't come cheap....