Is working with horses enough?

[MrA]

I'm very keen to get into a job working with animals. I know competition is tough however.

The only experience I have of working with animals is horses. And between the ages of 13 and 17 I used to volunteer weekly at a small animal charity mainly just cleaning out the cages and socialising the animals. (Cuddling them!)

I was keen to do something like this again to get more experience and also because I did enjoy it.

But I need the money so have now taken on the extra job which is working with horses. So now time is tight.

Do you think I should try and fit in some volunteering aswell. I'm off to college in Sept to get an nvq in animal care which alot of employers seem keen on.

But other than that I don't really have alot on my CV to make me stand out from the crowd.

I'm only aiming for an entry level job, something like a care assistant in a vets, rehoming centre etc.

The absolute dream is to one day work in a small wildlife park/zoo or similar but I have no idea if I will ever achieve that because I think they look for people with degrees nowadays.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Trewsers]

I think it's a fine line between stretching yourself too thin and finding a balance. I personally think that when you get your nvq and can begin applying for jobs in that field, your natural enthusiasm and great work ethic will shine and come across. And I haven't met you in real life! Lol but I did used to interview a lot of people in my last working life and even if someone had the "perfect"cv if they didn't come to life in the right way during an interview - which was both practical and a case of us sitting and talking it through then I'd opt for the other candidate who maybe wasn't technically as qualified for the job.
Edited to add - I appreciate you are thinking that your cv needs to actually get you to the interview stage too. Will be interested to hear what others think.

 

[Kite_Rider]

I'm very keen to get into a job working with animals. I know competition is tough however.

The only experience I have of working with animals is horses. And between the ages of 13 and 17 I used to volunteer weekly at a small animal charity mainly just cleaning out the cages and socialising the animals. (Cuddling them!)

I was keen to do something like this again to get more experience and also because I did enjoy it.

But I need the money so have now taken on the extra job which is working with horses. So now time is tight.

Do you think I should try and fit in some volunteering aswell. I'm off to college in Sept to get an nvq in animal care which alot of employers seem keen on.

But other than that I don't really have alot on my CV to make me stand out from the crowd.

I'm only aiming for an entry level job, something like a care assistant in a vets, rehoming centre etc.

The absolute dream is to one day work in a small wildlife park/zoo or similar but I have no idea if I will ever achieve that because I think they look for people with degrees nowadays.

Any advice appreciated.

I don't know what the answer is Ale, however, my friend went along to our local equine vets and asked if she could volunteer, they said yes and within a month she'd been offered a full time job, she loves it and is now hoping to do a nursing qualification through them. So, if your dream is to work in a zoo/wildlife park, maybe offer to volunteer if you have the time, if they can see how hard you work and how dedicated you are you just never know. Good luck

 

[orbvalley]

I just worry that you'll wear yourself out.....................

 

[Flipo's Mum]

I would look at becoming part of a local community conservation group which looks to help certain animals.
My mate is currently 40 and retraining at uni doing a degree in animal science.
She started volunteering with a local badger group, bat group and helps with amphibians.
She attends things like organised walks, surveys, etc and it's not work as such but just an opportunity to learn more about animals and sometimes get involved in protecting them. I've gone out with her during mating season and she helps frogs and toads cross a road without being run over. Quite fun!!
I guess this is more wild animals related, but she ended up very interested in bats and as they are a protected species, she got mentored by a bat consultant and completed her bat licence and now can command a fair bit in consultancy fees to architects doing renovations on properties.
She's using this bat consultancy work to fund her way through uni and doesn't know if she wants to do it full time as it is generally seasonal.
Just some ideas on things to look into which would boost your cv but not necessarily involve such a big commitment - maybe once a fortnight/month.

 

[MrA]

I think it's a fine line between stretching yourself too thin and finding a balance. I personally think that when you get your nvq and can begin applying for jobs in that field, your natural enthusiasm and great work ethic will shine and come across. And I haven't met you in real life! Lol but I did used to interview a lot of people in my last working life and even if someone had the "perfect"cv if they didn't come to life in the right way during an interview - which was both practical and a case of us sitting and talking it through then I'd opt for the other candidate who maybe wasn't technically as qualified for the job.
Edited to add - I appreciate you are thinking that your cv needs to actually get you to the interview stage too. Will be interested to hear what others think.

Thank-you, that's nice of you to think that. I hope you are right

 

[MrA]

I don't know what the answer is Ale, however, my friend went along to our local equine vets and asked if she could volunteer, they said yes and within a month she'd been offered a full time job, she loves it and is now hoping to do a nursing qualification through them. So, if your dream is to work in a zoo/wildlife park, maybe offer to volunteer if you have the time, if they can see how hard you work and how dedicated you are you just never know. Good luck

Wow she must be amazing, I'd love for similar to happen to me. Sadly I don't live close enough to any to volunteer but I think there is a kids farm nearby so I could contact them and see if I could volunteer. Thank-you.

 

[MrA]

I just worry that you'll wear yourself out.....................

Maybe but if it leads to a dream job it'll be worth it

 

[MrA]

I would look at becoming part of a local community conservation group which looks to help certain animals.
My mate is currently 40 and retraining at uni doing a degree in animal science.
She started volunteering with a local badger group, bat group and helps with amphibians.
She attends things like organised walks, surveys, etc and it's not work as such but just an opportunity to learn more about animals and sometimes get involved in protecting them. I've gone out with her during mating season and she helps frogs and toads cross a road without being run over. Quite fun!!
I guess this is more wild animals related, but she ended up very interested in bats and as they are a protected species, she got mentored by a bat consultant and completed her bat licence and now can command a fair bit in consultancy fees to architects doing renovations on properties.
She's using this bat consultancy work to fund her way through uni and doesn't know if she wants to do it full time as it is generally seasonal.
Just some ideas on things to look into which would boost your cv but not necessarily involve such a big commitment - maybe once a fortnight/month.

This is a brilliant idea thank-you. We have surrey wildlife at work occasionally yet I have never thought about asking them about volunteering. I'm very interested in wild animals also so something along these lines could be perfect. Bats are one of my favourite animals also I'll try and find some contact details tomorrow!

 

[PePo]

Maybe but if it leads to a dream job it'll be worth it

Speaking from experience, I really wouldn't under-estimate the effects of doing too much.

Like you, I was pursuing a 'dream job' and was constantly taking on extra and trying to juggle 'more' as the demand gor it was always there. I worked for a charity, so it was difficult to say 'no'.

In reality, I became very stressed to the point it made me ill. Physically & emotionally.

Like you, I always thought it would be 'fine' and worth it in the end plus I'm a pretty thick skinned, level-headed, positive person (as a lot of us horsey people are) & a lot of people have since said I would be the least likely person they thought things would get to - but it really wasn't fine. At all.

Just be careful, is my advice.

I loved my job, but it really was a case of trying to do too much. In the end, I just did lot of things badly ...!

If you've been accepted into college, I'd be tempted to not take on any more work until you need to. I'm assuming you'll have to work experience rotations as part of your course, which will count towards your CV.

Good luck

 

[MrA]

Speaking from experience, I really wouldn't under-estimate the effects of doing too much.

Like you, I was pursuing a 'dream job' and was constantly taking on extra and trying to juggle 'more' as the demand gor it was always there. I worked for a charity, so it was difficult to say 'no'.

In reality, I became very stressed to the point it made me ill. Physically & emotionally.

Like you, I always thought it would be 'fine' and worth it in the end plus I'm a pretty thick skinned, level-headed, positive person (as a lot of us horsey people are) & a lot of people have since said I would be the least likely person they thought things would get to - but it really wasn't fine. At all.

Just be careful, is my advice.

I loved my job, but it really was a case of trying to do too much. In the end, I just did lot of things badly ...!

If you've been accepted into college, I'd be tempted to not take on any more work until you need to. I'm assuming you'll have to work experience rotations as part of your course, which will count towards your CV.

Good luck

Thanks for this reply. I do need to be careful. I take on far too much sometimes and I do struggle mentally at times.

And my health has been a little off this year as I've had trouble with my chest, they can't find anything wrong so perhaps it's just anxiety.

The college course is only part time one evening a week although we do get coursework to do aswell. But I don't think it will count much towards any sort of experience.

I think once I start college I will reduce the horse job if possible or even give it up, it's some much needed extra money over summer but it'll be too much in winter as the cycle will be partly off road so too dark. I'm going to keep my options open.

I'm definitely going to contact surrey wildlife as I would like to help out occasionally with anything local.

Thanks for the warning!