Graduate jobs/courses

[Strangelybrown]

I've posted a few times previously regarding potential career paths and I'm looking for some more advice. I will be graduating from my psychology degree in the summer, and I am hoping to start a career in livestock farming; however, I want to put my degree to good use. Does anyone have any recommendations for postgrad courses in farming where I could use my degree?

On a previous thread I enquired about farm management (which received mixed responses) but are there any other options that higher qualifications could open up for me? For instance, if I were to study a postgrad certificate or diploma in agriculture, would this make me more desirable as a farm employee/self employed, contractor, share farmer etc (obviously with the necessary work experience too)?

Also, on a slightly different note, where in or around the West Mids are most of the livestock farms located? Would it be more like the Shropshire Hills, Peak District, Welsh Marches?

 

[TechWise]

Farming is a very difficult thing to get into without capital behind you. It's also not something that one goes into without experience! That being said, there are lots of people who farm at a small or hobby scale where they can focus on making a really good job of a small number of stock while not having to worry about the farm paying the bills because they've got an off-farm income.

There is a whole industy of agents/advisors/inspectors/auditors surrounding agriculture where you could probably put your academic background to use whilst being around farms. Try talking to some land agents and perhaps local authority trading standards and that sort of thing and you'll get an idea of what qualifications and experience are helpful for a career connected with agriculture but not necessarily beeing a full time farmer.

 

[Cowmansam]

the Shropshire Hills, Peak District, Welsh Marches?

Yes plenty live stock round those areas

 

[Strangelybrown]

Farming is a very difficult thing to get into without capital behind you. It's also not something that one goes into without experience! That being said, there are lots of people who farm at a small or hobby scale where they can focus on making a really good job of a small number of stock while not having to worry about the farm paying the bills because they've got an off-farm income.

There is a whole industy of agents/advisors/inspectors/auditors surrounding agriculture where you could probably put your academic background to use whilst being around farms. Try talking to some land agents and perhaps local authority trading standards and that sort of thing and you'll get an idea of what qualifications and experience are helpful for a career connected with agriculture but not necessarily beeing a full time farmer.

Thank you for the advice. I've done some research on some of the careers you suggested and came across ecological consultancy which seems quite interesting, and could possibly be done around farming. And I suppose in the long term, with the correct training and knowledge, these kind of roles could be beneficial for my own farming enterprise.

 

[Strangelybrown]

I have seen that RAU offer an MBA Innovation in Sustainable Food and Agriculture, and also Msc Sustainable Food and Agriculture Policy. Would either of these courses be useful in the long term for someone hoping to forge a practical career in farming?

 

[teslacoils]

Why do you feel the need to use your degree? I've not spoken a word of polish or Romanian since I graduated in 2002. But wasn't wasted in any way.....

 

[Strangelybrown]

Why do you feel the need to use your degree? I've not spoken a word of polish or Romanian since I graduated in 2002. But wasn't wasted in any way.....

I think it may be the fact that I started studying at a later age than most students and lost out on potential income for a couple of years, so I feel that I need to use it to recoup my investment, if that make sense?

 

[teslacoils]

I think it may be the fact that I started studying at a later age than most students and lost out on potential income for a couple of years, so I feel that I need to use it to recoup my investment, if that make sense?

Not really. It's an investment in education. But in farming parlance it's a "sunk cost" so you're not getting your money back if you use it or not. So do what you fancy.