Q. What qualifications route did you take to realise your career in countryside management?

I initially studied Environmental Studies at GCSE level (at evening class) before progressing onto full time courses at National Diploma level and then onto a degree in countryside management from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Q. Please explain in detail what students will learn during your Countryside Management course.

A career in countryside management covers a broad spectrum of skills, and the courses reflect as much. Students will investigate natural science subjects such soil science and plant science, they will look at the history and development of Britain’s natural resources, they will study and participate in the management of the many different habitat types within the UK, from uplands to coastlines. Students also cover the social aspects of the environment such as community development, countryside issues, recreation and tourism, the students also learn practical land-based skills such as fence construction and hedge-laying.

Q. What’s the first thing you teach your students?

As with most industries, health and safety underlies everything we do. After that the students could be learning anything that reflects the jobs in the industry

Q. What qualities do you need to succeed in your industry?

You need a passion for the outdoors, a sound general knowledge of the countryside as well as a good specialism, and a degree of flexibility, as the job can be incredibly varied: one day you could be shepherding a flock of sheep, the next you could be giving a guided walk to a school group.

Q. What are the benefits of studying your subject?

It opens up a career in the outdoors with a broad diversity of types of work, from environmental lobbying to managing specific species.

Q. Please explain why you love your subject

I love working outdoors. No matter what the weather is like, I can look around a beautiful green space, be it a mountain range through to a small urban park, and say “this is my office”.

Q. What skills do your students have by the end of the course?

A vast range, often the students look back at the end of the year and cannot believe the things they have learned, seen, and done.

Q. What do students normally do once they’ve finished their course?

These countryside management courses have a very good success rate; the lower level students tend to progress into higher level courses, whilst 80-90% of the higher level students progress onto paid work within the industry, usually entering at countryside ranger level.

Q. What’s the best way to go about getting a job in your industry?

Try to get yourself known by some of major countryside organisations, particularly by putting in some volunteer time. Most run volunteer days. Back this up with a recognised qualification, and regularly check the trade press for vacancies.

Q. Can you describe a typical day in your working life?

I arrive at work at about 7AM spend some time on administrative tasks such as e-mails. I then teach from 9am until 4pm. What I am doing on a particular day will vary according to the subject I am teaching, this week I started by teaching students how to create a woodchip path through woodland, the next day was a visit to a river valley to look at visitor behaviour, the following day was a theory session on creating promotional leaflets for countryside events. From 4PM until about 7PM I tend to put on my other hat as deputy head of the department and undertake management tasks.

Q. What advice do you have for people interested in studying countryside management?

Come along to one of our advice sessions or visit the Capel Manor page to get the contact details so you can discuss with tutors if this is the career for you. If you are interested in doing a diverse range of work outside, and working in some of the most beautiful places in the UK, then apply. Bear in mind the countryside courses are very popular amongst all age groups.