Jobs for tree huggers

FoxEye · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:36

Current job in IT is ending in December, and I'm being told by everyone to get into the eco/environment sector.

Bearing in mind I have no degree, is this actually good advice or not? I can't help but think these jobs must be very sought after - everyone wants to sleep with dolphins or get eaten by lions.

My former step-dad got an HND in Environmental Studies at my age (about 33). Although he then went on to get a full degree in Chemistry and a job in a research lab (which he hated). Don't really want to go down that route. I'd like to be molesting animals, planting forests and maybe shooting the odd poacher or two.

P.S. despite flippant remarks, this is actually srs thread.

arknor · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:43

tree surgeon

I bet studying the amazon rain forest would be cool bet it's hard to get into though and maybe not awesome money

At least 441 new species of animals and plants have been discovered over the past four years in the Amazon rainforest in South America.

258 of them were plants

Redrum · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:53

I know two hippy tree huggers, both with degrees in the subject. The first one got his degree about 6-7 years ago, couldn't get a job so did a masters, still couldn't get a job then eventually got in somewhere via someone he knew.

The other finished his degree (2:1) about a year ago and has yet to get a job in that field. He is currently doing some volunteer work in the hope it will lead to something.

I don't know if their experiences are typical though.

Pawnless Endgame · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:07

Redrum said:
The other finished his degree (2:1) about a year ago and has yet to get a job in that field. He is currently doing some volunteer work in the hope it will lead to something.

Can't comment on environmental sector, but it was voluntary work that wound me up with paid work on both of my jobhunts. Really helps with the CV as it keeps it current and without employment gaps etc. That was in 2003 and 2010 for me.

Theophany · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:13

Is this like how everybody told me to get into IT 10 years ago because it was the next big industry?

Because that was a load of crap chatted by people with a tenuous understanding at best.

d_brennen · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:20

Theophany said:
Is this like how everybody told me to get into IT 10 years ago because it was the next big industry?

Because that was a load of crap chatted by people with a tenuous understanding at best.

You were ten years late to the party

arknor · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:23

Theophany said:
Is this like how everybody told me to get into IT 10 years ago because it was the next big industry?

Because that was a load of crap chatted by people with a tenuous understanding at best.

you were 5 years to late even 10 years ago

Joshct · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:23

d_brennen said:
You were ten years late to the party

..... i got into the field 2 years ago

Theophany · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:26

d_brennen said:
You were ten years late to the party

arknor said:
you were 5 years to late even 10 years ago

Too right! I made a more informed decision. I asked myself why people rob banks and then realised that was probably a smart place to go and get a job.

[FnG]magnolia · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:03

What does "eco/environment sector" mean? Is this a thing? I don't think it's a thing.

WillyNelson · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:10

arknor said:
tree surgeon

That was quite an incredibly inept display of tree felling. Guy with the axe was hopelessly going a out it the wrong way and they attached a second rope where they had the least leverage.

arknor · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:10

[FnG]magnolia;25188025 said:
What does "eco/environment sector" mean? Is this a thing? I don't think it's a thing.

get into fracking NOW!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing

craptakular · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:12

What do you class as "environmental"?

Scougar · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:15

arknor said:
get into fracking NOW!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing

Or look at engineering with people like Babcock, as they will likely be involved in the building of Nuclear power stations and the high speed rail lines.

arknor · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:20

Scougar said:
Or look at engineering with people like Babcock, as they will likely be involved in the building of Nuclear power stations and the high speed rail lines.

fracking is likely larger area though with more opertunities
As of 2012, 2.5 million hydraulic fracturing jobs have been performed on oil and gas wells worldwide
becoming viable almost everywhere

FoxEye · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:24

craptakular said:
What do you class as "environmental"?

You know, saving Wales and inseminating pandas, etc.

Hmm, well, actually... I was kinda hoping other people might have a clue, because I'm sadly lacking one. People just tell me to "do something environmental".

I guess volunteering might be a good place to start.

On a serious note, those people who go round weighing meerkats*, they are researchers, and I'm guessing they definitely do have degrees and PHDs and doctorates. But what in...?

*spell check wants to change this to beermats. I'm not sure if that's wise.

oulton · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:43

I'm a tree hugger. I work for a big environmental body serving the european community (read european commisiion). Its not easy to get into but if you have cross cutting skills (for me it is GIS, remote sensing, coding, geography and a broad knowledge of environmental science) you can have a fantastic career. As a self employed consultant you can earn 550 euros a day or more in the right place.

Redrum · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:47

FoxEye said:
People just tell me to "do something environmental".

I guess volunteering might be a good place to start.

Then you should ask these people why they are telling you that. Maybe they know more about the industry than we do and they can lead you in the right direction or maybe they have no good reasoning at all, in which case you should ignore them.

The person that I mentioned who is now volunteering is doing so because even with a degree he can't get a job but that's the field he wants to work in. You are clearly not that bothered, so why don't you do some reasearch into what jobs are actually in demand and paying well and that you can get a career going in without extensive qualifications.

Kristoph · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:52

Echoing the volunteering. I came out with my degree and struggled with jobs. Volunteered at my college lab and landed a job as a science tech a few months later. Now working in an Aerospace lab and loving it.

'Harry · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:56

arknor said:
tree surgeon

I bet studying the amazon rain forest would be cool bet it's hard to get into though and maybe not awesome money

258 of them were plants

That ain't a tree lol thats but a mere sapling.

A tree stands 20+ feet tall and requires talent to cut down. Not some idiot from the local fire brigade with an axe.