Retraining
David
along with 300,000 others last year.
I'm looking to retrain in a new field and rebuild my life and career.
Currently a Masters in an Environmental related subject is a key favourite
but I'm finding it very difficult to settle on a suitable course and I
wonder if anyone out there might be able to offer me some advice. I need to
know...
What area of Env Science or Mgmt offers the best prospects for employment
Would I get a job afterwards?
What are recognised as the best centres for training in the UK
Is it better to take a general course such as Env Mgmt or to be more
focussed, for example the MSc in EIA at Aberystwyth.
What areas of focus are best
Are 'new universities' such as UCE or Gloucestershire worth considering at
this early stage in their development
etc etc
...given that:
I'm 42
I already have an MSc in Multimedia Systems but no first degree
I'm reasonably IT literate
My IT and Telecoms background in no way relates to Environmental subject
matter and was of a technical/business hybrid nature rather than purely one
way or the other.
I live in the Midlands
Advice and help much appreciated. This isn't an easy decision but the
alternative may be painting and decorating.
Cheers
David
John Beardmore
<Da...@extent.freeserve.co.uk> writes
>I currently work in the Telecoms industry. Or did. I was made redundant
>along with 300,000 others last year.
>
>I'm looking to retrain in a new field and rebuild my life and career.
>Currently a Masters in an Environmental related subject is a key favourite
>but I'm finding it very difficult to settle on a suitable course and I
>wonder if anyone out there might be able to offer me some advice. I need to
>know...
What aspect of the environment most interests you ?
>What area of Env Science or Mgmt offers the best prospects for employment
:) Avoiding legislation.
>Would I get a job afterwards?
Probably. But what actually motivates you to do this ?
>What are recognised as the best centres for training in the UK
>Is it better to take a general course such as Env Mgmt or to be more
>focussed, for example the MSc in EIA at Aberystwyth.
I really do think it depends what aspect interests you - especially if
you have to get up for the next 20 years and do this stuff every day !
>What areas of focus are best
>Are 'new universities' such as UCE or Gloucestershire worth considering at
>this early stage in their development
No clues. How much do you want to move or commute anyway ?
>...given that:
>
>I'm 42
>I already have an MSc in Multimedia Systems but no first degree
>I'm reasonably IT literate
>My IT and Telecoms background in no way relates to Environmental subject
>matter and was of a technical/business hybrid nature rather than purely one
>way or the other.
>I live in the Midlands
Where abouts ?
>Advice and help much appreciated. This isn't an easy decision but the
>alternative may be painting and decorating.
Hmmm, I'm in a slightly similar position. My original degree was
chemistry at Oxford Uni, but I moved into IT consultancy more or less
before finishing that course. Having got bored with IT after 20 years,
and been involved in voluntary environmental work for a few years, (
see www.DerbyshireAta.org.uk ), I'm trying to extend the environmental
work and turn it professional.
I'm currently doing the OU 'Environment Decision Making' post grad
course, though I'm still on the first module, T862 'Enterprise and the
Environment'. This is not at all bad, but a significant chunk of work.
I'm not sure how much that will help find jobs in the normal sense of
finding an employer - I chose it more to bring my knowledge up to a
baseline standard rather than to get a drop-dead-cert qualification.
Then again, is there such a thing ?
I'm still doing some IT work, market simulations for training
accountants etc, but a few of us have set up a small company to do
environmental projects. We see the future more in terms of self
employment and partnership, growing the business organically. So far it
looks promising - we have some great leads and interesting clients
anyway which isn't too bad given that we only started it in May and
haven't really gone public with it yet.
Anyway, phone me to have a chat about it all if you like. 0115 9448910.
I should be around Friday evening and most of next week. I'd be happy
to have a chat about the benefits and pit-falls of getting into
environmental work at this time. There's an embryonic pre-release
version of our company web site on www.T4sLtd.co.uk too if you feel
curious.
Cheers, J/.
--
John Beardmore
The Technical Manager
There is always the possibility of becoming a computer technician or web site
designer for an environmental organisation like FOE, Greenpeace, the
Environment agency etc. Sadly there are not all that many environmental jobs
around apart from recycling collectors. I once tried to find an environment
related job on a part time basis when I was an undergrad but all I could find
was voluntary work like cleaning up canals or restoring historic buildings
with little in the way of pay.
You would probably be best of sticking with what you are qualified in or
becoming self employed.
David
david
"John Beardmore" <woo...@wookie.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Es6z7WJi...@fatcat.wookie.demon.co.uk...
David
view, if I've read your reply correctly. There are jobs and some areas
appear to be suffering shortages. But they do seem to be 'real world' jobs
like establishing and managing env policy for big companies. This may not be
as glamorous as being in the front line opposing road development or
surveying glacier retreat in the Antarctic but in a way it is a different
sort of front line helping to make a difference at grass root levels. EIA is
apparently in particular demand, as is polluted land reclamation.
I suppose the environmental industry has many facets. I'd love to be
involved in the big stuff like global warming research but I have a mortgage
to pay and its the way of the world that work involving such key issues
doesn't pay anything. Fine if you're 21 but....
So I think there are opportunities but you have to know what you're talking
about and you have to work within the existing commercial and social
framework/context.
I certainly have no intention of working as a computer technician or website
designer. had enough of that crap and I want work of greater relevance to
life.
Interestingly, historic building restoration was an area I looked at
recently before turning to env. Again, there are opportunities but a great
range of complex skills and historical knowledge as well as, more
importantly actually, a network of contacts and a reputation. Chicken and
egg. Same applied to Boat building and restoration which I also looked at
although the biggest issue here is the appalling wages. Start own business
or nothing. Anyway, digressing..
cheers
d
"The Technical Manager" <tec...@niobiumfive.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3D413FE1...@niobiumfive.co.uk...
The Technical Manager
> Thanks for the reply but I have to disagree with this slightly negative
> view, if I've read your reply correctly. There are jobs and some areas
> appear to be suffering shortages. But they do seem to be 'real world' jobs
> like establishing and managing env policy for big companies. This may not be
> as glamorous as being in the front line opposing road development or
> surveying glacier retreat in the Antarctic but in a way it is a different
> sort of front line helping to make a difference at grass root levels. EIA is
> apparently in particular demand, as is polluted land reclamation.
I already knew about this but most people I know who have taken up such jobs
find themselves as little more than pen pushers in a company where the
accountant and not the environmentalist have the final say. For example buying
new paper rather than recycled paper because it costs 1p less per ream or not
replacing an inefficient heating system because the capital outlay is large and
the payback time long when the money required to pay for the upgrade could be
invested in a dirty polluting chemical company with a higher rate of return.
Many environmental policy managers and similar people I have known tend to hold
that position for 6 months to 2 years before moving into or being promoted to a
more senior position like admin or sales which have little to do with the
environment. That is why I didn't mention this but if you know otherwise I
would be most interested.
>
>
> I suppose the environmental industry has many facets. I'd love to be
> involved in the big stuff like global warming research
Where does global warming research ?
> but I have a mortgage
> to pay and its the way of the world that work involving such key issues
> doesn't pay anything. Fine if you're 21 but....
Most 21 year olds are struggling to get on the property ladder or pay
extortionate amounts of rent. Those who have graduated are up to their ears in
debt. Infact I reckon those in the 16 to 30 age range are the type least
interested in environmental issues.
>
> So I think there are opportunities but you have to know what you're talking
> about and you have to work within the existing commercial and social
> framework/context.
>
> I certainly have no intention of working as a computer technician or website
> designer. had enough of that crap and I want work of greater relevance to
> life.
Out with being a computer technician.
>
> Interestingly, historic building restoration was an area I looked at
> recently before turning to env. Again, there are opportunities but a great
> range of complex skills and historical knowledge as well as, more
> importantly actually, a network of contacts and a reputation. Chicken and
> egg. Same applied to Boat building and restoration which I also looked at
> although the biggest issue here is the appalling wages. Start own business
> or nothing. Anyway, digressing..
I used to be a self employed appliance repairman but that doesn't pay money
anymore. The price of consumer electronics is so low anyway that nobody wants
to bother getting something repaired when it breaks. Also refurbished and
repaired applicances are in low demand as they look ugly and dated. A
television from 1985 even with Teletext and SCART is unsellable.
Jason Gaskell
Although it does not relate directly to your job search, I would
suggest that you try to rack up a few hours as a volunteer to start
getting you out of the experience trap. I have done some recruitment
for a conservation charity and we would probably take on an
underqualified person with good personal skills and volunteering
experience over someone with a degree and no experience. But then
again, it really depends on what sort of job you are after.
The Technical Manager
What is the pay like ? Some people have mortgages to pay off.