We usually get inquiries from potential students asking for what sort of career(s) they can do if they enroll in a particular course.
The answer? Endless possibilities – what we sometimes fail to realize is that it largely depends on what we’ll choose to do with the knowledge and skills we’ll acquire from these courses and whom (or what) do we want to work with/for (i.e. target market).
We sat down and interviewed our lovely tutors Karin, Karen C., and Meg to provide some insights and examples:
1. Equine Studies – a journalist (for an equine-related magazine/journal) can cover several topics ranging from equine basic handling, breeds, herd health management, nutrition basics, basic horsemanship and breeding.
When I was teaching the Equine Science program in the high school, we had a guest speaker who managed The National Horsemen magazine. My students were told by the speaker that the equine journal industry was very short of writers that really knew the subject matter about which they were writing, “There are lots of journalists/writers but not enough really know about horses and can do a really good job writing articles about horses for horsemen. What the industry really needs are journalists that really know and understand the comprehensive topic of horses. There are lots of great career opportunities for journalists that can write well and that are also horse-savvy as they can write more accurately about horses and horse-related topics.”
2. Horse Care – A structural engineer/architect may have additional career opportunities in the design/production of horse barns/stables. Horse barn/building manufacturing (indirect career), is big business and the barn manufacturing companies need building designers, construction foremen, and construction leads.
Although many engineers can design and build a horse barn, someone with horse experience and having taken the Horse Care courses that cover Stable Management would likely have insight to 1) connect more positively to the wants of the horse owners intending to build/purchase a barn, and 2) have greater insight on horses and horse management that would enable them to design more suitable barns/facilities (and make the horses AND horse owners AND trainers happier and more satisfied). To get an idea of all the different positions that a horse barn/building company has, check out just one: Cleary Building Corp.
3. Pet Care/ Dog Care – Pet Bakery Business
There is a wide range of pet food brands on the market making it overwhelming for pet owners to select the best food for their pets. Pet nutrition is a specialized field with many new buzz words including words like premium, BARF, grain-free etc on packaging that advertise “healthy options.” We lead such busy lives that we want to find products that easily connect with our pets and integrate into our lifestyles – thus the trend of several new Pet Bakery businesses opening up (or the online sales of premium pet products).
Owners and managers of these Pet Bakeries need to be in touch with what pet owners want, what is best for various breeds in various stages of life and the nutritional needs for certain conditions or health issues. Our Pet Care and Dog Care courses give an in-depth information about caring for different pets (dogs, cats, fish, birds, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and amphibians).
This includes lessons on important aspects on ideal diets & food, and nutrition for skin and coat health etc. The courses give information on common health issues that impact on a dog’s health, well-being and longevity and give information on developing appropriate measures to prevent problems arising or respond to problems, including nutritional impact. These courses will give any Pet Bakery owner or manager excellent background information about their “clients”.
4. Introduction to Dog Psychology and Training – Animal Control Officer, K-9 Police Officer, Animal-assisted therapist (with autistic children, dementia patients, in hospitals etc)
Anyone who’s ever spent time in the company of a dog knows that, just like people, dogs have personalities that are unique to them and they experience many feelings in exactly the same way as humans and all other mammals. They have many ways of communicating and if we really want to understand them, work with them, use them to connect with patients or just want them “to be a mate”, we need to learn to speak and read their language. Our Dog Psychology and Training course gives an understanding of canine psychology and behaviour. It covers the anatomical and physiological development of dogs from its wild counterpart – the wolf, to help us understand behaviours commonly seen in today’s domesticated dog; It gives information on canine senses and natural behaviours; It looks at canine behavioural development as a puppy; And focuses on behavioural problems and training.
This course would positively contribute to a deeper understanding of canine behaviour for anyone mentioned in above fields and therefore helping to provide an optimum environment for both dog, handler (police officer or therapist), and in some cases, patient.
Tutor Meg adds, The Role of the Equine as Partner in EAAT
New scientific research continues to reveal critical information about equine sentience – their abilities of perception, cognition, memory, and emotions such as pain and fear. Equines are able to perceive, respond to and learn from the impressions they receive from minimal sensory stimuli. The stimulus may originate from changes in human biochemistry, body language, or vocal intonations. It can also come from changes in the equine’s environment, relationships with other equines, or the equine’s general health In this way, equines make decisions based upon the stimuli they experience from others or from their environment (Hangg, 2005; Nicol, 2002; Proops, McComb, & Reby, 2009; Saslow, 2002). These abilities are based in natural, biological, physiological, and psychological traits of equines.
Each equine is unique in personality, and has individual likes, dislikes and habits. The information gained from equine communication can be highly useful in all EAAT settings. Listening to equine communication can have an effect on the care of the equines, their rate of burnout, and the success of the human-equine interaction. In EAAT sessions or lessons, viewing the equine as a partner invites opportunities for relationship building and skill building with all participants served.
5. Animal Grooming – Pet boutique selling a wide assortment of products and pet care items
Our practical animal grooming online course gives the skills and knowledge needed to understand various hair and coat types, anatomical differences between breeds and species, pet owners’ perspectives and expectations and caring for the skin and coat. This background information and understanding would help any pet boutique owner who is
passionate about excellence in customer service and quality of product. The knowledge gained in our course can help in picking and providing a wide range of high-quality pampering products for specific breeds and coat types.6.
6. Animal Husbandry C, Beef Cattle – Cattle Feedlot Manager
Feedlots are often marginal. This reinforces the value of selecting cattle which perform well and consistently meeting market specifications. It is therefore very important for a Feedlot Manager to investigate, understand and establish relationships with potential producers/suppliers of beef cattle for the feedlot. It is also important to have an understanding of feeding regimes, animal genetics, product prices and animal welfare. When sourcing animals for a feedlot system one needs to consider the specifications set out by the target market and identify what animal characteristics best suit these targets. Our Beef Cattle and Animal Husbandry C courses have components on animal health, farming environment, meat quality, age and type of cattle contributing to growth rate and feed conversion. With these courses a feedlot manager can gain knowledge on the principles and practices of beef cattle husbandry and management, the influence of suitable feed rations, the role of energy foods, and the calculation of food ratios.
7. Herpetology – Mining Environmental Officer
The main focus of Environmental Officers on mines relates to inspection of mining activities – the undertaking of environmental surveys and impact surveys and the sampling of water, dust, soils, etc for analysis. This means many hours spent out on site, in the field, taking samples.
These Mining Officers can be exposed to various species – insects that sting, toxic plants and especially snakes, some with venomous bites. Having a good understanding and knowledge of snakes would help to take appropriate precautions when on the job. A snake’s behaviour to humans is not only an instinctive reaction but also dependent on the behaviour displayed by the “intruding” human. The information covered in our Herpetology Course would help to develop methods of distancing or protecting ourselves from snake bites by giving an understanding of different species, identification, habitat, distribution, behaviour, seasonality, breeding behaviour and feeding and diet.
8. Equine Studies – individuals with Business Administration and/or Marketing interests
To understand more of the management and industry aspects of the horse industry (i.e., courses like Horse Care A and Horse Care C that include modules on events and activities in the horse industry). National and international breed registries and associations are continually striving to improve their public relations departments and along with that, grow the association and develop new opportunities for more people to enjoy the horse industry – the recreational and spectator segment of the hose industry is the largest sector. Consider that most breed associations/registries will have the following positions: Events Director, Youth Activities Director, Advertising Director, Breeders’ Trust Director, Amateur Activities Director, Shows & Education Director, Customer Support Specialist.
Individuals understanding the horse industry are going to be more competitive and successful in these positions compared to individuals who maybe have the business/marketing background but don’t ha the experience and education related specifically to the horse industry.
9. Animal Health Care – Administration assistant or Receptionist in a Veterinary hospital
Having a passion and knowledge in Animal Health Care makes you a much better candidate for this type of role. You need not always have a formal qualification in vet nursing for this role, so one of our courses would be very suitable.
Want to know more about these courses? In need of course advice?
Call us on 1300 172 882 or email us on info@careerlinecourses.com and let us help you find a course suitable to your needs!
(Office hours: 09:00-17:00 AEST, Monday to Friday)
