Yes, this is a classic "Zpyder needs help" thread in the making I thought Id gotten "better" heh.

Ive now got two job options. Whether Im just jammy or actually have skills in demand I dunno. But Im torn. I seriously dont know what to do (Not really had a job with the prospects of it lasting indefinitely before)

Here are the options:

Cefas
3 yr contract. Pay is pretty poor (£15.2k starting). Would mean moving to lowestoft. The work would be marine orientated, which is fine, but whilst at uni I discovered that though I like marine stuff, I LOVE terrestrial stuff. Would have strict deadlines and pressure due to being an Agency of Defra etc. high standards and the likes, and likely to be the same work for the 3 years.

Uni
3-4 month contract. Pay is slightly better and is by the hour rather than annual (£8.44 ph). Work is varied and is terrestrial based, I really enjoyed it. I did it last year as a placement and I did a good enough job they want me to do it paid this year.


Im torn. Cefas offers long term security and specialist experience to put on my CV. Uni offers short term work, but which is thoroughly enjoyable (The only job Ive had where I have woken up each morning looking forward to the days work). The experience is much broader spectrum, but not as detailed. Itd be more suitable for the line of work I enjoy more though.

Additionally, having really focused on education, Ive not really ever gotten out and done anything, and so it be cool to go travelling. This wouldnt be an option with Cefas due to the type of work involved. But I could always save my money at Uni and then go travelling somewhere for a bit (Would only have £2-3k saved up). Or I could use the summer months whilst at uni to job hunt a better paid job that is more my cup of tea (but is a gamble I guess!).

I think there is an element of not wanting to go into the big bad world, but also an element of just wanting to take it easy over the summer with work I enjoy and colleagues I like?

Any suggestions?

Yes, this is a classic "Zpyder needs help" thread in the making I thought Id gotten "better" heh.

Polls like these are why Ive never felt the need to play The Sims. :mutley: -)

Not wanting to ruin your omoi though, but you should really ask friends and family before the internet.

Not wanting to ruin your omoi though, but you should really ask friends and family before the internet.

I do that too, its just the answers are that 50:50 it really is coming down to the toss of a coin!

My family are saying Uni and holiday/other work, lecturer says though they want me to work for them I should take the cefas job, and some friends say cefas till I explain and then say uni and holiday!

15 mins ago I was siding on Cefas, looking at renting costs at lowestoft. After speaking to my dad, Im now thinking of going in to uni on tuesday, asking if I were to decline the job offer at Cefas am I guaranteed work? and if so do uni.

Give me half an hour and itll be Cefas again!



(And dont knock these threads...if I end up doing uni and travelling I could be coming to Japan...)

  Go for the 3yr contract. You can bunk out after a year with a solid bit of exp on your CV.

Not sure, Would hazard a guess to say it isnt.

My current plan is to ask if it would be possible to arrange a visit for after the 21st of May so that I can see the area and the labs etc and meet my employers. If its not possible Ill take it as a sign and do the uni work. If they are ok with it Ill go and look around and make my mind up. Will also bring up the issue of the pay making me less sure of the job

Bear in mind that £x/12 months is more than £8.44/3 months unless you can hop straight into a new job after the 3 months.

I think CEFAs.

Youve got a 3 year contract. In that time you can save as much money as possible and go travelling after that. Youll have the knowledge you have an excellent entry on your CV and if they like your work they may even offer you something else when you get back.

Grow some balls and get into a real job.

Swapped decisions 4x now. Went from uni to Cefas (The pay is low, but not bad for entry level environmental jobs I guess) back to uni, based on future prospects.

I looked around quickly for the last half hour and found a couple of jobs that were so much more appealing than the cefas job, and better paid, such as this:

http://www.earthworks-jobs.com/ay/ewaw23773.html

The main purpose of the role is to service a two year ecological monitoring project which aims to examine the variation in aquatic communities amongst various edge of field water bodies. The successful candidate will have the chance to travel extensively within the UK (vehicle provided) collecting biotic samples and supporting data. These samples will include aquatic organisms, which must be appropriately preserved and identified to prescribed taxonomic resolution upon return to the laboratory.

Triumphant candidates will be expected to work half their time in the field and half in the office/lab, you will be required to work outdoors all year round and the position may require some overnight stays. In return the company will reward candidates with a good remuneration package and the chance for progression within a rapidly expanding organisation.

£18k

I have taxonomic skills and essentially that is what the uni work is. Same lab/field ratio. I think the best bet is to see my lecturer offering me the work, and tell him my career apirations and see what he thinks of my prospects of getting into terrestrial ecology. I dont think I will have much trouble getting Terrestrial or marine ecological work paying £15k, so I might as well try and get a job Id enjoy more than Cefas, nothing ventured, nothing gained...