Thursday, 21 June 2012

Keeping me honest

I've tried blogging before and I've never been good at it.  Not because I can't write, but because I always find an excuse to put things off or not to.

That stops now.

See, I've realised something.  A friend of mine is keeping a blog to help improve his life -- to lose weight, set goals, all sorts (http://tohitarseclass0.blogspot.co.uk) and I can't help but think he's right.  Though for me, at the moment, I need it to be about keeping me in line.  I'm trying to branch into a new career.  And I have to wonder -- am I trying as hard at it as I think I am?  Well, if it's written down in black and white, surely it will be easier to keep honest, right?  Here's hoping...

So.  This week I made a few decisions.  I will have a better job, whether it's the new career I'm hoping for (ecology) or just a better job than I have now -- even if I have to go the self employed route.  I want to do this by October.  We also want to move to a nicer house.  So, in the spirit of keeping myself honest...

This week:  I spent a lot of the day researching volunteer organisations near where we want to move to.  I filled in an application for volunteering with the Lancashire Mammal Group and contacted a friend of mine about both of us volunteering together -- either there or at Delamere.

I browsed over the CJS, environment jobs and simply hired emails that I get regularly.  CJS was a no go.  Environmentjobs showed a few possible positions, however, one was in Banbury, and the other was in Scotland.  They are only for the summer, and I seriously did consider it (given I'm paid a retainer over the summer at present), but have decided against applying because, well, it's Scotland and Banbury.  However, the one in Scotland does sound really interesting -- it's surveying fish and requires good swimmers.  It would be a good way to shift some weight and get some experience, however, it's just impractical.  It makes me sad.

I did look at the jobs on jobs.ac.uk, however, I really don't want to continue in academia unless I have to... and anyway, the only institutions currently hiring part timers in my area are either in London, Cambridge or New Zealand, so that's out.

However, I did see a job being advertised that I thought I'd missed the deadline for -- apparently not.  Trainee ecologist in Derbyshire.  So, I've applied for it after updating my CV this morning.  Here's hoping.

I also intend to contact a chap from Penguin today, along with contacting RECORD to see if they have any interest in having a volunteer surveyor for the summer (or parts thereof).  I need experience.  And although I'd prefer it to be paid, it doesn't have to be.

I realise that I have put off calling these people.  Well that also stops here.  Shy bairns don't get owt.   So, three o'clock today, I'm calling folks.  Not emailing, calling -- sometimes a phone call makes all the difference.

So.  Fingers crossed...

No comments:

Post a Comment