Degree in arb? any advice?

[Michael Ricketts]

I am at college, currently on my National Certificate but planning to move on to the National Diploma next year and the subject of university and degrees came up recently. I wanted to get some real world advice and wondered if anyone could tell me about the importance of a degree in an arb career and whether it is worth it.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I have struggled to get the jobs i want, as everyone says "a degree would be and advantage"

 

Get on it, and auto CAD too

[arb culture]

Depends on what you want to do; but for me, it was absolutely worth it.

[RobRainford]

im doing one now, without it, i wouldnt even know 10% of what i do now. Im doing the FdSc.

 

Its not just about having the degree, you learn a lot more around trees and about their anatomy and their evolution, the soil they grow in and even down to their DNA pretty much, you learn a lot.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

I'd say if you can do it now, ideally with no or few 'dependents/commitments' GO FOR IT as nothing to be lost, everything to be gained AND its sooooooooo much harder when you're ol....not quite so young! I didn't have the opportunity when I was in the early part of my career.

 

Also, in terms of advancing our industry, AND whilst acknowledging on the cutting side 'experience' is (almost) everything, the more degrees there are around the better recognition we'll all get.

 

Good luck and hope you make the right choice (for you!)

Paul

[Michael Ricketts]

thanks for all the advice, it does seem like it would be an advantage when it comes to knowledge and to job application, would anyone say the career aspects could be alot better with a higher degree?

[Frankie Lawrence]

thanks for all the advice, it does seem like it would be an advantage when it comes to knowledge and to job application, would anyone say the career aspects could be alot better with a higher degree?

 

It depends what carreer you want weather it be arb/forestry/consulataiion the list could go on.

 

Ive heard that some people doing higher education in our industry mat end up behind a desk rather than in the thick of it. make of that what you will if you want that then dont worry but like I said if you want to do tree surgery/forestry day in day out then go for that.

[Michael Ricketts]

Depends on what you want to do; but for me, it was absolutely worth it.

hi, what exacly did you go into then?

[Andy Collins]

I'll back up what AA Techie said, if your young enough and in the education system already, the mindset is primed for learning. Once you start full-time work, there is always an excuse to put things off til tomorrow. Just do it:thumbup:

[SJB]

Im doing an Amenity Horticulture degree that has arb modules aswell. I would definately recommend doing a degree as it opens up opertunities outside of your chosen area as a degree shows a level of commitment and skill basis that can be transfered.

 

I too agree with the comment above about CAD. If its offered where you want to study, do it !!

 

One thing i would say is don't expect to be outside that much. 90% of teaching is in the classroom on a degree.

 

Good luck with what you choose,

 

Stew