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to Phd or not to Phd?: |
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jopedder Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2003 No. of posts: 55  View other posts by jopedder |
Posted: 16 Sep 2003 Hi again all, I thought I'd make use of the collective years of wisdom that this forum represents and quiz you about the relative merits of studying for a PhD/masters. I graduated from Leeds Uni a few years ago with a good degree in zoology. Since then I have been looking for work in a variety of ecology/conservation areas and have slowly whittled this down to focus on gaining full time work as a consultant ecologist/zoologist- I decided I'd had enough of university life, that working in conservation could be too narrowly focused (and underpaid) and that consultancy work would bring me a variety of projects and a descent wage and generally lead to a happy life! However, I have found it hard to get full time employment in consulting and had figured a few months ago that if I didn't have a permanent job by winter I'd start to look at masters courses to improve my employability. This time has now come but I am starting to rethink my position: the consultancy I am temping for at the moment has almost completely put me off the industry, the cowboys that they are, and whenever I think of a research project I'd like to get stuck into at uni I come up with things that to do properly I'd like to spend a few years on (i.e. do a PhD.) Academia is starting to appeal to me again, but I get very negative reports from friends who have just finished theirs. Are all consultancies run by idiots who are pro-profit and anti-good science? Is a masters necessary to become a consultant - or would another years worth of temping doing field work count as the equivalent? I guess the thing I really love doing is field work, which is why a PhD appeals as I can spend the next three year with a guaranteed job that involves field work, I donÆt have to sell my soul to the highways authority and I might just have fun doing it! Any thoughts on your own experience of breaking into and working for consultancies and also on general life after PhD would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, a standing at a fork in the road, Jo |
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calumma Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 351 View other posts by calumma |
Posted: 16 Sep 2003 "Are all consultancies run byáidiotsáwho are pro-profit and anti-good science?" Now how do I answer this one 
Diplomatically... Large companies need to turn a profit in order to remain in business. They have offices to pay rent on and employees to pay salaries. Working ethically and adhering to best practice (with 'good science') often results in upsetting clients (e.g. delaying projects or even suggesting that development is inappropriate). Consultancy companies can ill afford to upset clients, since the clients will find other consultants to do their work in the future. Consultants with no clients do not remain in business too long... Small companies and individuals can offer a premium service to reputable clients and other larger consultancies. Individuals with a respected knowledge and enthusiasm for conservation gain the respect of their peers and companies who want to be seen to take wildlife issues seriously will seek out their services. Who would you want at a public inquiry discussing the 'merits' of translocating adders? A fresh out of college nobody, or Tony Phelps? I know who I would trust my money to. Unfortunately money and conservation do not mix too well together and it is all to easy for inexperienced consultants to loose sight of the conservation and become tainted by the ability to earn too much money too easily (it sometimes frightens me what the turn-over of my business could be if I did all the work that was offered to me). These lone cowboys are a problem (I know of several). If you want respect in the consultancy game you need experience of your animals and a real understanding of how the planning process and conservation interact. The only way you will gain that is through years of field study. My advice is to consider a PhD. Learn a subject and know it well. Do a PhD that contributes positively towards British herpetology and communicate your findings. Get involved with conservation organisations in your local area. Get known. Do all of this and maybe you will gain respect from true professionals. Lee Lee Brady Kent Herpetofauna Recorder | Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 16 Sep 2003 Hi Jo, Lee has covered it all quite well. If you continue to work for consultancies then you will be forever compromised. I do not know how some 'consultants' sleep at night, and when I hear of the rates they charge I am gobsmacked. I guess I could be a rich man by now; but you soon find out who are the carers and the takers. The trouble is because one charges a lesser fee the client may think your not up to the job - can't assume that all are aware of ones reputation and experience/ Do your PhD, but don't make it obscure, as Lee says keep it positive, and something that you feel you would like to continue with after you get those letters after your name. Enjoy, and good luck. Tony |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 16 Sep 2003 I have little to do with consultancies so do not know exactly how they work. I do know there are some who have no qualifications whatsoever and make lots of money for what I consider a poor job. I think a consultant in British herpetofauna should have practical skills and be able to carry out or carefully supervise any management work that will almost certainly be needed. It is only by working a few feet away from an excavating bucket that you can see what careful work can be done by machinery in the correct hands instead of the usual devistation. Too many consultants farm out this type of work or let the the client sort it out usually to a forestry or landscaping company and even if they do not wear spurs often the work is not the standard that is needed to produce extra habitaat that may be needed for a translocation. Several postings on this site have shown pictures of habitat trashing. I have always tried to carry out surveys, capture, habitat management such as chainsaw work and chemcal treatment myself and hope others attempt to do this to obtain optimum results. I am often amazed when consultants are recruted from the other end of the country and have no local knowledge and often no knowledge of the species or ecosystem involved. I agree with Lee get your self known with local organisations and if they find your work is of a quality that we should all be striving for you should be offered contracts as they come up. British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
- to Phd or not to Phd? |
