Hey Everyone :)
Apologies if this is a bit off topic (this forum seemed the most appropriate).
I am seriously looking to move into any type of wildlife work (preferably on a reserve), I recently turned 24 and I currently work in retail and have done so since I left college. I left school with good GCSE results before attending college but I was never interested in university and moved into work straight after .... at college I studied ICT so nothing wildlife related - to be honest I only became interested in the natural world in the last few years.
Since 18 I have worked in retail and been content bringing in money and looking for wildlife on a weekend but this last 6 months or so the interest in working in the great outdoors has become more prevalent.
I suppose what I'm asking is have I missed the boat?! I wish I knew at 16 what I know now (hindsight is a wonderful thing!) - but is there anything available to me? I would prefer to work on the job opposed to going back to studying - are there any type of apprenticeships? Can I get funding through say the Princes Trust (I was looking into this) ....
Basically any advice would be greatly appreciated :)
Many Thanks for your time,
Cheers, Rob
It may may you to get in touch with your local wildlife trust or RSPB reserve and maybe do some volunteer work in your spare time to get some experience.there is a web site dealing with jobs in the countryside so a Google search may be worthwhile.
birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,just enjoy it while you can.
I can't give you any advice Rob , but I wish you good luck. Follow your dream mate. If you want something bad enough you'll find a way to get it. Good Luck.
I know nowt :)
MY Gallery here
Hi Rob,
Maybe you could consider some part time study regarding ecological issues - perhaps short courses at the OU - together with volunteering, persistence and perseverance. Make and keep up with useful contacts also.
Best wishes
Claire
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake
Rob, Best wishes for this and I do hope you achieve your aims. But do have a good look round to see what the opportunities are. A lot of environmentally trained people are being laid off at the moment and will be seeking the same sort of work.
This is a good place to look - lists courses as well as job vacancies: www.environmentjob.co.uk I definitely don't think you have missed the boat!
psst, want to see my blog? http://robandmazza.blogspot.com
I certainly don't think you have "missed the boat".
I dithered in my late teens as to whether I would go into Veterinary Science or Fine Art!
The Art won and I had a great life in this field with my love of birds and the countryside being a hobby. When I was made redundant at 61, I found no-one wanted to employ me so I started to volunteer at a sanctuary for owls and birds of prey. I am now a trustee there and have a wonderful time working in rescue and conservation work in the UK and abroad.
I also volunteer for the RSPB. I don't really need a job as such (I am now 67) and I haven't got time to look for one! However I think the experience I have gained this way would give me a huge advantage if I were bit younger and looking for a job with an organisation such as a wildlife trust, RSPB or an environmental agency.
Remember that all these concerns need ITC specialists and one with an interest in wildlife is ideal. Doing an ICT job such as this for a while would probably help you to get a post with more "hands on" work outside the office.
Good luck!
Jenni
God gave us two ears and one mouth for a very good reason!
Many Thanks everyone for your positive replies - it really is appreciated.
I have taken on-board everything everybody has said and I shall contact my local rspb reserve and my wildlife trust and see if they have any voluntary work available on a weekend at present. I shall also visit the links suggested and I will keep you all updated :)
Cheers again, Rob
Gosh Rob, I think it's really great that you have discovered your destiny, you are still young, you have definitely not 'missed the boat' and anyway, I'm a firm believer that it makes no difference how old one is, Catherine Cookson didn't write her first novel until she was 44 :-)
April & May can often be beset by the blasts of winter, when a cold wind sends temperatures falling. Since this coincides with the flowering of the Blackthorn, the cold snap is known as a 'Blackthorn Winter'.
Good Luck Rob and go do it follow your dream:) I would have loved to do something like that when I was your age. I have put a link showing the job vacancies that are advertised within the RSPB to give you an idea what is available to you.
www.rspb.org.uk/vacancies
Sue
All the best in your quest, stay focused, and never say never.let us know how you go on. all the best. Alan
always many sides to an argument
When you do get a suitable post Rob please let us know how you get on and good look in your quest.