Buzz Burrows

Thanks Mike, funny you should mention that.. Reading all of the advice you folk have very kindly shared with me, I think I'm better off studying for a Bachelors in countryside management*, whilst doing my certificates and a small amount of voluntary work with local companies. I'll happily work a day or two a month for free in order to get my skills up and build that aspect of my CV. *I've always been an outdoors man; I have a respect for, care for and enjoy the wild places within the UK. If I choose to go part-time or retire early from the Police this type of qualification - I think - will best serve me when seeking employment with the National Trust/Arb companies/Environmental Consultancy companies, et al.

Thanks again. You've been a great help. Much to think on.

Thank you for some excellent advice and comments. Agreed, it's definitely part of the appeal and certainly links in to my thought process. I'm an ex-soldier and when not working in my day job (indoors) spend most of my time outdoors - it's something that I've enjoyed since being a nipper and something that is important to me.*Though not as important as being able to provide for my family, mind.. Can you give me a feel for how you started out and progressed, please? I really do appreciate that I'm fortunate to have the security and options that I do. However, if I can strike a balance between income and job satisfaction, I have a sneaky feeling I'll be decidedly more content than I am now. As for living in the sticks, I live in Hertfordshire - lovely part of the world. Unfortunately, the wife won't entertain the idea of a Defender..

Greetings one and all. Like many who post on this site, I’m after advice, please. I am London based Police Officer of 13 years service (and a sprightly 34 years of age). For a public servant I would consider my salary of £43k as very generous and yet, for many reasons* my feeling of commitment, sense of duty and empathy is, at times, being severely tested. *Just a few of the reasons: Uncertainty regarding how the goalposts to our pension and retirement age will be moved; regular pantomime like vilification received from the national press; worrying privatization of our service; ludicrously tedious statistics driven culture and so on. I’ll be honest and say that when I first joined the Police Service I was committed to doing the full thirty years service. Since that time, things have changed dramatically - I shan’t bore you with the whys and wherefores but essentially, it is no longer the job I joined. This has made me consider preparing for a second career. I have a Wife and young daughter to provide for and so - obviously - I’ve no intention of jacking in my job before I’ve thoroughly researched my areas of interest and am completely satisfied that I could make it work. One such area, amongst perhaps three or four, happens to be arboriculture. Another is countryside management. I’ve spent a good amount of time on this site, reading many of the insightful comments and threads posted. I see the disparity in how some of you describe a buoyant industry whilst others only paint a fairly woeful picture regarding prospects, pay and how [under]valued you feel. I’d be grateful if you could spend a few moments sharing your thoughts and answering the following questions, please; 1 - Which is the better? Obtain a bachelors degree in countryside management & technology, which provides an insight in to arboricultural work but gives a broader grasp of environmental management OR specialize in arboriculture, gaining qualifications via the likes of Fast Track Tree Surgery Course : Proclimber Professional Arborist Products Online, Supplies for the professional arborist 2 - How do you view the current and projected UK arb-industry? 3 - What is the longevity of a climbing arborist? I’m 34 now, fit and healthy but my concern is if I stepped across in say three or four years time, how long would I have before the work became too arduous? 4 - On the back of question 3, how viable is a career in arboricultural consultancy? 5 - What would you describe as a typical (net) monthly take home (£)? Is it realistic to think that I could earn something in the realms of £20-30k per annum? Thanks for reading and thanks for any comments. Buzz.