Anyone doing environmental studies of any kind?

[Lmccrean]

Thinking of starting with OU in June, and was hoping to hear from someone who is studying it, or already has degree/working in the field - seems difficult to get into!

not sure how u mean when you say environmental. Im doing landscape design which deals with aspects of design and alot of environmental issues like sustainable design and planting etc. good luck with it

I guess once I do the opening course, Ill know more where my strengths lie and what I would be best doing, at the minute Ive no idea whatsoever! Its more along the sustainability lines Im looking at-carbon footprints, energy etc - maybe conservation work too. Feel v clueless at the mo.

I have degrees in biology (of the environmental kind) and have subsequently worked in the environmental field. You are right, the competition is steep. Despite that, don't expect the salaries to be high. They aren't. I would encourage you to get as much work experience as you can. Difficult I know if you have kids. If, for example, you wanted a job working for one of the wildlife trusts, I don't think you would stand a chance unless you had done voluntary work with them or with an equivalent. I have done recruitment for environmental positions and have employed new graduates, so it is possible, but on the whole they had demonstrated their interest in the subject through activities other than their degree. I don't mean to depress you, but you MIGHT also find that a higher degree would help you. Many of the Masters degrees are specifically tailored to skills needed in the work place, although undergrad degrees do this to an extent too. I think you will do a lot better if you can try and be far more specific about which aspect of environmental work you want. Carbon footprints and conservation are miles apart in terms of skills and knowledge. Hopefully the opening course will help you with that as you said. I'd also bend the ear of a tutor. Find out what people have done with their degrees - it'll give you some idea what is out there and who the key employers are and again may help you to focus.

Hope it works out for you (it will if you are determined!).

Thanks for your very detailed post! I realise they are very different things, but they are the two main areas I am most interested in when I choose reading material for my own enjoyment, so figure its a good place to start.

I have just contacted the conservation volunteers and hope to get some experience through them (saw lots of training opportunities through them too) I also spotted a volunteer opening for an eco-schools assessor, which I will look into asap (website sendung me in circles and not in the mood for that at this time of night!)

ATM, I only have gcses, so a masters is a long long way off, but I want to make sure Im doing everything I can to get a good start.

I'm doing an MSc in Environmetal Management, there is a shortage of noise people if you want to go into this area. I am just about to start looking for a job. Ohh, stress!