Enviromental studies course at college
- Thread starter Tengu
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I used to teach this sort of thing, years ago. Mixed feelings about its usefulness, except possibly as a way of inspiring youngsters to take more interest. That said, there are two sorts who sign up - those who are already interested, and those who think it is an easy ride.
A few of my friends have done environmental science degrees at uni. Most of them have given me the impression that they don't rate their career prospects after uni...
greensurfingbear
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
depends on the modules I guess. If there is lots of practical work and or lab time and not purely academic then I say its not a bad idea. I found my Environmental Management degree lacking in the practical side of things, especially when applying for jobs and interviewers said "great a degree.... any experience?"
Did ES at Bachelors level a while (cough years!) ago now, and I did a year in industry in between my second and third year, which meant I was a little experienced and somehow managed to wangle 6 job offers straight out of uni, as I applied before sitting my finals and employers would rather employ a genuinely experienced person with a 2:1 than a first graduate with no experience. That said, I've been back to uni twice for further education now (physics/mathsy stuff) and an MSc, so I'm obviously a glutton for punishment!
Work you could end up doing is surveying/VERY junior consulting in Contaminated land/air quality/noise surveying, technical work with a council, and dependant upon things like land management and botany/zoology on your course, things like preservation, ecology and parks management. A few friends did lab work too. The one of us who earns the most graduated and then became a sparky instead! I'm hoping my daughter becomes a plumber so I can take early retirement one day!
You generally get out what you put in, the BSc is a key to the door at level '2' as opposed to level '1' sort of thing, but it's the individual who makes it further than that. Most of the people I'd go to in my line of work for non legal things and for really skilled specialist advice have no dergrees and 30 years of getting on with it and are brilliant, but they don't mind that I have a degree and do the legal side, as they find it boring and like getting stuck in!
Work you could end up doing is surveying/VERY junior consulting in Contaminated land/air quality/noise surveying, technical work with a council, and dependant upon things like land management and botany/zoology on your course, things like preservation, ecology and parks management. A few friends did lab work too. The one of us who earns the most graduated and then became a sparky instead! I'm hoping my daughter becomes a plumber so I can take early retirement one day!
You generally get out what you put in, the BSc is a key to the door at level '2' as opposed to level '1' sort of thing, but it's the individual who makes it further than that. Most of the people I'd go to in my line of work for non legal things and for really skilled specialist advice have no dergrees and 30 years of getting on with it and are brilliant, but they don't mind that I have a degree and do the legal side, as they find it boring and like getting stuck in!
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I have an Environmental Biology degree, it has helped me to get to where I am now as an organic market gardener. It is not a quick path to success, It took me 10 years to get my first related paid job.
I loved the course though, If I had a better degree (a first instead of a Desmond) I'd maybe have progressed quicker.
As a mature student with experience and this course you might find it a good route to employment.
We got to study stuff as diverse as EIA techniques, chaos theory, sociology, psychology, microbiology and of course statistics. Lots and lots of statistics.
I think I'm going to top up my degree with and MSc or similar in something based on sustainability which will tie in with my work experience.
You really have to bide your time and work hard to get the good jobs.
I loved the course though, If I had a better degree (a first instead of a Desmond) I'd maybe have progressed quicker.
As a mature student with experience and this course you might find it a good route to employment.
We got to study stuff as diverse as EIA techniques, chaos theory, sociology, psychology, microbiology and of course statistics. Lots and lots of statistics.
I think I'm going to top up my degree with and MSc or similar in something based on sustainability which will tie in with my work experience.
You really have to bide your time and work hard to get the good jobs.
Depends on the Environmental studies class. In my International Relations degree (BA) I did a focus on International Environmental Studies and the lecturer was basically telling us that a BA in Environmental Studies was next to worthless. There are some very hands on degrees (mainly BSc's) out there which look like they give you some good practical skills. It depends on what you hope to do with the degree really. For example, a foundation degree in countryside management would be more useful than an MA in Environmental Politics if you want a hands on role in the environmental job sector.
I am currently studying a Foundation degree in Ecology and Countryside management the first year included a plant and animal identification module(a lecture said " there is a lot of ecologists with poor Id skills entering the industry ") as well as plant and soil science. These included both field and lab work. The second year includes ecological survey techniques. The course has a very hands on feel to it.
