Learning, education, training?

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by torbie, Jul 10, 2006.

  1. torbie

    torbie Active Member

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    Hi there,

    I guess this is the best place to post these questions, I looked around but saw no category for the post to fit into. This seems like a wonderful forum!

    A bit about myself... having spent almost sixteen years in the veterinary business as an assistant, I know I've hit the burn out stage. I loved it for many years, learning something new every day. I loved working with the patients and the clients. I loved being able to share my knowledge of animal nutrition, care and behavior to others that wanted to learn.

    It's just not where I want to be anymore (as I sit here and connect the many dots with my most recent battle wounds from this weekend.) I've seen too many wonderful pets off to their final journey and it really affects me these days.

    I would like to learn about plants, growing them, maintaining them, and help others to learn about them as well. I'm fairly green about it to say the least. I've always had indoor plants and now with a small second story south-west facing balcony, I've picked up some lavender plants and will be searching for other suitable plants.

    What I'm looking for is some place to start, it all seems so vast. I'm thinking of perhaps working in a retail garden centre, taking courses and ending up somewhere like??? Doing?? I don't have the luxury of dropping everything and going back to school unfortunately. Long distance learning would be an option or part time courses.

    If anyone has any suggestions, advice or anything, I would be very grateful! Thank-you for reading all this if you got this far!

    Vicki
     
  2. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    consider UBC, Capilano College, Kwantlen... they all have good hort programs and courses. There are some good local courses via Continuing Ed, Master Gardeners.... Garden clubs that do seminars. Timber press is a good book resource.
     
  3. torbie

    torbie Active Member

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    Thank-you jimmyq for your reply.

    I have heard of the Master Gardeners course, which sounds very interesting. Out of my league right now though, but something I could aspire to. I've been looking on the internet for a long distance course/with certificate of some sort, no luck yet. I do like that Timber Press, many interesting books! I'll look into the Continuing Ed idea as well.

    Some very good suggestions. Thank-you again, very much appreciated!

    Vicki
     
  4. growest

    growest Active Member 10 Years

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    Vicki--I can definitely relate to the desire to change career directions after many good years doing the same thing over and over. Couple of observations from several years of garden oriented part time stuff...

    You're looking at a pretty low paying industry...you can get a job at a wholesale grower and/or retail centre with no experience, but it's typical retail service just above min. wages. Some of the "gals" at a nearby operation here in south Surrey have been coming back for years, enjoy the physical work and camaraderie, makes up for an income that just wouldn't be feasible for me.

    Tho I do have a diploma from waaaay back, I personally would vote for getting into the industry and just learning everything possible on the job. A good employer might help you decide what part time courses would be useful in addition, but my take on college courses is that you have to learn an awful lot of stuff you'll never use, to get the minority of info you actually need. That was okay when I was fresh out of high school, not happening at this stage of my life with other business and family considerations.

    And if you happen to start a backyard nursery, you can look forward to another episode of burnout in a few years down the line...definitely no boredom however!
     
  5. torbie

    torbie Active Member

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    Thank-you growest, for your advice! I learned on the job as well in my current 'career'. Veterinarians don't pay much either. Some start out staff at a buck or two above minimum wage. There is always someone who loves animals and wants to work in a clinic, dropping off a resume ;)

    I could probably go to part time where I am at, and try to get into a garden centre somewhere and take some courses as you have mentioned.

    Much food for thought, thank-you again for your reply!
     

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