Career Interests
My main current career interest is entering into the wildlife media industry. However, I have other interests that I would like to explore before deciding what I would like to pursue. For example, after studying A Level Creative Writing, I found I enjoyed it a lot, and would consider studying it further. Another area I have not had chance to explore is psychology, which I have always had an interest in. I would like to try studying psychology before making a decision for my future career.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Wildlife media is a fundamentally practical career, so most job opportunities will be considered based on practical skill rather than qualifications and grades. However, a background of studying with media will definitely be a benefit, and a degree may also give an extra element of skill. The main reason I would want to study at university would be to build on my skills rather than for the concept of having a degree. Should I already have the skills I would learn on the course, it would make more sense to just go straight into the industry.
Work Experience Opportunities
On a national (and international) scale, there are many opportunities for work eqperience in this field. Working with organisations such as the RSPB or the Wildlife Trusts would allow me to gain more experience in working with wildlife, and volunteering abroad on conservation trips would be more ambitious, but would give me a boost into the industry. More local volunteering opportunities with media would also be beneficial to moving forward in the industry.
Apprenticeship Opportunities
As researched in LO1, there are only a few opportunities on a national scale in terms of apprenticeships. The most relevant opportunity I found was this course as an intern for an internationally-operating conservation travel organisation. On this course I would be working as an online media/video intern.
The other apprenticeships I found were specifically media-based, and preferably I would do an apprenticeship that covered both the wildlife and the media aspects of this field.
Higher Education Opportunities
Having recieved an offer to study at the University of Cumbria, it would be the most obvious path to take to move into the industry. However, there are other courses, such as the ones I researched in this post. I will most likely defer Cumbria's offer until I am certain that this is the area I want to study.
Funding for Higher Education
As researched in LO2, I would have to apply for student finance in order to fund studying at university. The maximum maintenance loan for living away from home is £8,430, and the maximum tuition fee loan is £9,250. For a vocational apprenticeship, if I was paid the national minimum for apprentices, I would earn £3.50 per hour. It would depend on my hours to determine whether this would be enough to live away from home. And if I went straight into the industry, I would be paid at least the national minimum wage for my age, which is currently £5.60.
Personal Plan
I plan to go to university in the future, however, it is not likely to be this year. I want to be certain of the course I want to study before going, as it is a time-consuming and expensive venture. In the meantime, I am hoping to find a part-time job and concentrate on more practical goals such as getting my driving licence and applying for a passport. I am also hoping to find a course in psychology or another subject I have interest in that I can study at either AS level, or even to A2 if I want to continue studies. I may go to university next year, or if I am still deciding, I may wait until I turn 21, and apply as a mature student.
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