Horsey Jobs and UNI!!!!!

[jessyickle]

Hello people of the horsey world!!!

I was wondering if anyone has studied something equine at university and how they found it? Or if people who work with horses regret it/or not? I'd love to know what everyone sthoughts are who are in the horsey business

I really don't know where to go from here, I'm supposedely going to Uni in september 2010 and am at a complete loss as to what to do witht the rest of my life! I'm not sure if these equine courses are entirely helpful career wise but there isn't anything that really interests me enough to study for 3years!

I've always wanted to work with horses or do something horse related but I'm not convinced that it is the best option for me if i want to keep my own horses and compete (money?).

I've so far looked at Nottingham Trent and Lincoln (Risholme park) with a view to take my horse with me should i decide to go to study an equine degree. Anyone any ideas i know its a long shot...

 

[Sessle]

I went to college and did an equine course and dropped out because I didn't enjoy it, and then a year or so later, got a job at a riding stables, and left again as I didn't enjoy it!

Always thought it'd be my dream job, but found that it took away my own enjoyment with my own horses, plus most equine jobs u work weekends which does affect competition!

Most people I know that have horses and equine jobs dont have time to do much at all with their horses. But it depends on the person and how dedicated they are!! I think quite a few people on here manage it though

 

[milliepops]

I almost did Equine Science at uni, but changed my mind because I didn't know how relevant to many jobs it would be. Have since heard quite a few people say that they couldn't get a job where they would be using an Equine degree

I had 2 years out in the middle of my degree to work with horses. I loved it and it honestly was the happiest I've been (work wise), but couldn't do it forever as it is just too hard to make a good living. I couldn't afford to do the things I wanted to with my own horse. I'm glad I got it out of my system though.

If you aren't sure what you want to do, can you take a year out before going to uni? I wish I had done it that way round and think I would have made different decisions had I done so. I rushed into going to uni and have regretted it ever since! If I had my time again I'd get a job first for a year or 2, and use the time to decide what I wanted to study.

 

[exracemad]

I am in a similar situation to you, however I have a place to do Equine Science at Hartpury in 2010, as i am taking a year out. I'm worried that if i do it, I won't be able to find work after and will have wasted the years.
But I don't know what else to do

I want school back!! so much easier haha.

 

[LouB]

I had a place at Hartpury to do Equine Science, but when it came to the crunch I just couldn't do it. Very few people I spoke to actually ended up with jobs as a result of their equine degree.

I took a year out, worked in a P2P yard and loved every second of it. I decided I didn't want to spend a fortune on a degree when I didn't know what I wanted to do. However, I was sure God had given me a few brain cells and I wanted a qualification of some sorts. Although I knew there was no 'money' to be found in horses, I also knew I wasn't prepared to give them up.

So, here's what I did........

A 2yr foundation degree at my local college studying business. Although 'full-time' it was only 2 days a week so I continued to work in the P2P yard which paid for my tutition fees and allowed me to continue competing myself.

This was followed by a 1yr top-up degree at Plymouth which was a 2hr comute from home but again only 2 full days a week.

At the end of it......
I have a 2:1 hons degree in Business Administration.
2 of my own pointers and another to train for someone else.
My own eventer to satisfy my competing needs.
But....almost the best thing....

I have NO STUDENT DEBT! My courses allowed me to work p/t and I paid for it as I went.

I still don't know what I want to do, but I have a degree behind me. Ive recently secured a job with NatWest, its was never my intention to go this route but I can still afford my horses.

My advice is not to do a degree unless your sure its what you want, it costs fortunes and you'll be paying it off forever.

In my recent experience when applying for jobs, the degree doesn't count for very much at all. They want work experience and personality over a qualification. Unless your doing a degree that will ultimately lead to job, i.e. equine nutrition.

 

[hollykb]

If you're not sure you want to go to uni then don't. I don't know much about horsey careers but with other animals they look mainly for experience and willingness than qualifications. You could take a year out, have a go at working without the degree and maybe that will help you to figure out if you need it? You can always go back to uni at a later date. I'm applying to do veterinary medicine in 2010 and am plowing through the required a levels at evening classes, I'm 24 now so by the time I qualify I'll be 30 but the time I've taken out has just made it clearer it's what I want so in the long run I will work harder. Good luck with whatever you decide! Don't think there's a right or wrong, just whatever feels right for you.

 

[jessyickle]

Thanks everyone for the advice, really appreciate it

I'm still pretty much undecided, i suppose a degree is a degree at the end of it all even if i don't do something directly related to it. I'm thinking of taking a year out as well as maybe studying for my BHS exams . . . maybe it will give me an idea as to what i really want to do?!