A wwyd 'job direction', horse related!

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TandD

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I have a decision to make over the weekend on what job direction I should take and I would like the honest hho'ers opinions on what you would do and why!?

Some may remember that I was to go to a professional for a w/p position. This didn't work out for reasons I don't want to put on here, but I took the decision to leave and come home.

So I now have two options available to me:

1. I have the option of doing a 5month job with a top class show jumper, starting mid jan 2014. 5 day week, mon to fir, stay away at shows during week. Only 5 private horse, sole charge most days, riding every day.
Plus bits: s/j training towards stage 3..... I'm not the best s/j so this will really bring me up to standard! Riding ex advanced dressage horses (now s/j) which will be good for my dressage! Experience of sole charge, good pay about £1000 a month.
bad bits: it's 40mins away one way.....so up to 1hour 30 of driving a day, use of a lot of fuel. Less time for my own horses..... I'm away from home by 6.30, won't get to yard till 5.30, and I am trying to rehab a horse currently (this will have to be put on hold)

2. This options made up of lots of bits all stuck together...
an online btec in equine science.... So done in the time I want to do it. I can then top up to a degree once finished.
part time job to pay for fuel, insurance etc
Volunteer work at local rda to work towards ukcc 1 and ppt
lots more time for my own horses, can carry on with rehab and really get her going.

I realise I an do the 2nd option after the first option when the full time job finishes in May, and if I take the job this will be the plan. I guess I am just wondering if the full time job with the s/j is worth the very long day and lack of time with my own, or if I should just go straight into the 2nd option?? I really am sitting on the fence here, so I would love your opinions on the problem!

chocolate offered!!!!!!!
 
I would go for the first because it sounds like a very good opportunity. 5 months is not ages, and £1k a month is actually really good for a horsey job. Could you not have one of your horses there, and give the rest some time off until it's light in the evenings again?
 
I think you should take 1st and do 2nd, 2nd! You'll regret it if you don't if it really is too much, well you don't HAVE to do full 5 months, but days are getting longer again from the 21st. Maybe give your horses January off so it's a bit less pressure for the first month
 
Pigeon said:
I would go for the first because it sounds like a very good opportunity. 5 months is not ages, and £1k a month is actually really good for a horsey job. Could you not have one of your horses there, and give the rest some time off until it's light in the evenings again?
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This. Job 1 sounds like something what you want to do from what you have typed. I'd go for job 1 the experience will be great and look good on your CV too
 
I would do the first. I think that sounds like blooming good pay for a horse job to be honest. Is there no option to live on site there? 40mins commute is not a lot either and is what a lot of people do every day anyway for their jobs. My commute is not far off that. You only live once and 5 mths is not a lifetime and may well put in good stead/get you some good contacts for the future. Go for it I say!
 
Oh dear I think I have made it sound like I have More than 2 horses!

No I couldn't take a horse there, but the one I would need to keep going due to championship comps next year. Is easy to do and. Schools in the dark. The other doesn't need to do anything till it gets lighter...... It's more just me wanting to do something with her!

Ive thought about the cv too! And it will be a great learning opportunity for stage 3!

No live in, but I wouldn't want to live in...... I would get use to the drive and I agree 5 months isn't actually that long!
 
If horses are going to be your career 1 makes more sense. This may sound harsh but there are too many equine courses out there, too many people with degrees and not enough people with hands on handling and riding experience. I think you are more likely to get another horsey job after option 1 than after option 2, and if you still want to pursue 2 after you finish 1 you can still do so, whereas option 1 won't be around in May (I assume). The winter is a good time to give a horse time off.
 
What Booboos said, also if btec is an online learning course, is there any reason why you can't start it earlier/along side temp job? Would mean your top up degree start date would be sooner too :)
 
Jonesy said:
What Booboos said, also if btec is an online learning course, is there any reason why you can't start it earlier/along side temp job? Would mean your top up degree start date would be sooner too :)
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Thank you everyone!

Jonesy - I thought about this, but the course I'm looking at is a minimum of 10 hours study a week, and I really don't think I could fit it in along side horses, bhs stage 3, this full time job and helping my dad with his business! I've been working it out and I'd have to be out the house by 6.30am and not back till may be 8/8.30pm!!! also need a £1000 starting fee........
 
I would go for option one

To me its experience that sets someone apart from the others with their bits of paper (unless its a doctor, solicitor or dentist - then i pretty much want them to have the bits of paper lol)

If you take option one i would recommend you commit to doing the whole five months as youhave at least one failed job under your belt (not your fault i understand that) and the fact that you are committed geographically means that if youcut short this assignment people will hear about it in your part of the country!

Fuel is a factor of course and paying someone to look after your two while you are away at shows has to be taken in to account

Long term if you want two horses (hard to find a job that will let you take two) and want to stay at home you will need to find a job locally that pays reasonably so it would pay to really ace this one and get your CV looking appealling
 
option 2 is not a job so would only go for that if work was not available, agree with others too many people with qualifications but no experience-if you are good you may have another waiting for you at the end of this one-good luck
 
I pretty much do job one, apart from I do 6 days one week. I also travel a little bit further than you.
It was the best decision I ever made. I came out of horses for a few years, and was a little wary about going back in, especially at the beginning of winter, but I look forward to going to work, I get to ride seriously talented horses and my bosses are amazing.
I would take the job, 5 months is a short amount of time if you don't enjoy it, but the contacts and experience you will gain will be invaluable.
 
A 40 minute commute is not that much in the grand scheme of things really and for that pay with horses !!!! WOW. I think you would limit yourself a lot especially in the future if you weren't prepared to drive very far each day as a general thought.
 
TandD said:
Thank you everyone!

Jonesy - I thought about this, but the course I'm looking at is a minimum of 10 hours study a week, and I really don't think I could fit it in along side horses, bhs stage 3, this full time job and helping my dad with his business! I've been working it out and I'd have to be out the house by 6.30am and not back till may be 8/8.30pm!!! also need a £1000 starting fee........
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My you're a slacker! Lol - that would be some going with study on top - some people do do long hours, I'm doing an OU degree at the moment but only studying 60 credits per year so it will take me 6 years to get, but there others working full time, with family and doing 120 credits per year, so full time study. I personally think they're nuts, but they seem to cope well.

However, you need to do what's right for you :)
 
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