What job could I get if...

[Ben!]

Not certain if I would get a wildlife and enviroment job, as I'm stuck between it and sport job but I have just decided on my options for Year 10 at High School and I've gone for

History
Geography
Physical Education
Spanish
ICT

Now, say I got all the GCSE's for that, is there any jobs I could go into without college or university, or would I have to go on further? I would love a job somewhere in the Lakes.

[eeyore]

I would definitely advise you not to leave school with just the GCSEs as countryside jobs are such that even the manual ones such as estate worker often require a higher qualification and also although it might not feel like it now you will be limiting your prospects in later life.

I know that school and academia generally might feel restrictive (I'm not that old - 34 to be precise) but unfortunately it is a necessary evil these days.

If you want to break out of the academic stream into more vocational areas there are some good courses such as GNVQs and ONDs that you can do at 16 which are much more hands on than traditional colleges - i dont know where you are in the country but look at moulton college (northants) , Shuttleworth (beds), and Otley (east anglia) to get some idea of what is available - I am sure that there are others in other areas of the country too, generally these places treat you more as an adult than schools so you can forget all the silly rules (uniform etc etc).

[Ben!]

I am not really that bothered about staying on at 6th form/university/college as long as I get a job that I enjoy, I just really want to get a job that I enjoy.

[m1keanderson]

Hi Ben

The continuing popularity of environmental/conservation jobs means that qualifications will be used in the shortlisting of suitable candidates when you apply for a job in this field. Therefore you will need to meet the minimum requirements for the post or be able to convince the employer that you have the equivalent experience/aptitude.

As a very broad rule of thumb if you were looking at a ranger/warden post then you will need either a National Diploma (ND) or Higher National Diploma (HND) and 1+ year's experience; Senior ranger HND or degree and 3+ years; Service level manager Degree and 5+ years (usually in some sort of management capacity).

Getting further qualifications whilst working can be done - it usually just takes longer as you try and juggle life (family etc)/work/study and so if you are hungry to climb the career ladder get your qualifications sorted before you start full time work.

If you are not academically minded then there are vocational options available. The National Trust have a careership programme which they describe as "...a unique three year training scheme designed to train the gardeners and countryside wardens of the future. The programme blends college theory with practical experience at a National Trust property.

During this time trainees work towards nationally accredited qualifications, including NVQs in Amenity Horticulture for Trainee Gardeners or NVQs in Environmental Conservation for Trainee Wardens." There are other, similar, apprenticeships out there as well - such as one run by Dorset County Council - so don't be put off by the limited number of places offered.

As for enjoying your work, try and get some experience in a variety of green spaces. Working in a country park is different to doing so in a National Park etc.

Mike

[at]

Although qualifications get you to the interview you cant beat hands on experience. Residential volunteering is a good start and it can take several years generally employers are looking for some sort of experience and it certainly puts you ahead of someone without.

[almostnormal]

hello ben.

i don't want to sound all serious and lecture-ish but i would recommend sitting a-levels and going to college, or going to college after GCSE's. there are a few colleges that have specialist environmental and conservation type courses. the more qualifications you have the easier it will be in the long run to get a job. BUT, having said that, i'd also have to agree with at. you can't beat a bit of hands on experience to tip the scales in your favour - the more you get the better chance you'll have of getting a job. i went to college, and i got my qualifications, but it was my dedicated volunteering that tipped the scales in my favour, because the job i went for was with the people i'd been volunteering with for 2years, so they knew me and my abilities pretty well.

i'd see about getting in touch with your local wildlife trust and nature reserves and see what they have going. there's sometimes an minimum age, but they may have local youth groups that do stuff.

it might be worth seeing if you can find out who your local newt and bird people are as well, because having newt licences and bird ringing skills are also an added bonus, particularly in reserves based work.

hope this helps,

sarah

[m1keanderson]

Colleges are seeing fewer students sign up for countryside management. Despite this there is still a glut of entry level applicants looking to start in the industry. So, you've got the required qualification/experience and have the basic skills to do the job - what can you offer that puts you ahead of all those others? Unfortunately, it is the "X-Factor". It's hard to describe but the modern ranger also needs to be a skilled communicators that inspires, educates and reassures the visitors that they meet. Try and attend one of Creeping Toad: Environmental Art & Celebration - Education, Training & Workshops for your own inspiration. In the meantime observe those teachers, politicians and other public figures who can hold an audience; listen to their phrases, their mannerisms and their hand movements to see how this all works together and then try a few yourself

[Paul mabbott]

The simple answer is, 'Yes' but it won't be a highly paid one - no great problem (I speak from experience ( )) but without (at least) A-levels and preferably a degree you will possibly have nowhere else to go. Some people get into jobs that they enjoy at first (or think they will enjoy ...) but then find that they get bored/become redundant/aren't very good at &c &c &c - with some reasonable qualifications they can go somewhere else, try something different, but without qualifications they can easily find themselves on the so-called scrap-heap.
Sad, but true.
My recommendation would be to get, at least, a few A-levels (including biology!) and then think about further education.
I think (I know from experience) that young people can become rather eager, impatient to get into working on what, at the time, seems to be the love of their life .... it is worth waiting a few years - both for the extra qualifications and for the extra opportunties.
Good luck!
PS: I imagine that the sports job would, assuming you're reasonably fit, be an easy thing to catch up with later if you decide that's what you want to do.

Originally Posted by Ben!

Not certain if I would get a wildlife and enviroment job, as I'm stuck between it and sport job but I have just decided on my options for Year 10 at High School and I've gone for

History
Geography
Physical Education
Spanish
ICT

Now, say I got all the GCSE's for that, is there any jobs I could go into without college or university, or would I have to go on further? I would love a job somewhere in the Lakes.

[Paul mabbott]

PS
For some reason (senile decay, probably), I missed part of your original mail.
If you're interested in the areas that you write of, why aren't you going for biology (wildlife) and/or chemistry (environment)? Geography and ICT are very useful but you don't seem to be going for any core subjects relating to nature?

Originally Posted by Ben!

Not certain if I would get a wildlife and enviroment job, .................
History
Geography
Physical Education
Spanish
ICT
Now, say I got all the GCSE's for that, is there any jobs I could go into without college or university, or would I have to go on further? I would love a job somewhere in the Lakes.

[Ben!]

Originally Posted by Ben!

Not certain if I would get a wildlife and enviroment job, as I'm stuck between it and sport job

I'd decided on a sport job, and I'm going to follow that now, thanks for all you help though. I'll still be on this forum all the time though!

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Ben!

I'd decided on a sport job, and I'm going to follow that now, thanks for all you help though. I'll still be on this forum all the time though!

Well keep the other option in mind. In a few years you might decide you want a change of career?
Certainly doing a bit of voluntary work is a good thing and will be useful experience if you ever do apply for a wildlife job.
Either way, good luck!