ADVICE

Hi

I am currently working in a secondary school and want a change of
scenery, I have an interest in astronomy and am considering doing one
of the open university beginner courses, in the subject. I would like
to perhaps get a job in this field, even temporary, and would like
some advice on how to go about it.

I am in the UK at the moment. My maths is ok, (should be good enough for
the course at least) and I have studied chemisty to AS level in the UK.
In addition to this I have good computer skills (windows, Linux and
some mac) currently runnign seti at home. My current job is a mealtime
assistant with addiitonal duties to pick up litter so I consider my self
somewhat overqualified and under used, (but it's a stable job).

I would like to break out of this cycle and start on something really
useful, I have experience working with children.

Main problem is the usual
Not enough experience (but need the job to get the experienc)
Need a qualification but in the case of a NVQ teaching assistant course,
need a job to do the course. but people want experience and
qualifications, and I am up against people who have these.

I have tried to apply for Teaching assistant posts and Lab technician
posts as my chrmistry knowledge and practical skills should give me a
good start in this.

I am starting to think perhaps I should look elsewhere, and as the
astronomy course is about £99 is affordable. Can anyone perhaps offer
some advice please.

The TA course is £280, which I can't really afford, however it's free
if I give up my current job, and live off benefits, and work as a
volunteer, (I simply don't want to do this), I want to actually earn a
wage, not rely on taxpayers money.

Thank for any advice.

Paul Sutton

"PAUL SUTTON" wrote...
in message ...

Hi

I am currently working in a secondary school and want a change of
scenery, I have an interest in astronomy and am considering doing one
of the open university beginner courses, in the subject. I would like
to perhaps get a job in this field, even temporary, and would like
some advice on how to go about it.

I am in the UK at the moment. My maths is ok, (should be good enough for
the course at least) and I have studied chemisty to AS level in the UK.
In addition to this I have good computer skills (windows, Linux and
some mac) currently runnign seti at home. My current job is a mealtime
assistant with addiitonal duties to pick up litter so I consider my self
somewhat overqualified and under used, (but it's a stable job).

I would like to break out of this cycle and start on something really
useful, I have experience working with children.

Main problem is the usual
Not enough experience (but need the job to get the experienc)
Need a qualification but in the case of a NVQ teaching assistant course,
need a job to do the course. but people want experience and
qualifications, and I am up against people who have these.

I have tried to apply for Teaching assistant posts and Lab technician
posts as my chrmistry knowledge and practical skills should give me a
good start in this.

I am starting to think perhaps I should look elsewhere, and as the
astronomy course is about £99 is affordable. Can anyone perhaps offer
some advice please.

The TA course is £280, which I can't really afford, however it's free
if I give up my current job, and live off benefits, and work as a
volunteer, (I simply don't want to do this), I want to actually earn a
wage, not rely on taxpayers money.

Thank for any advice.

Paul Sutton

'Lo Paul --

You sound like a "bottom-up" kind of guy. I'm this way, too.

You're not going to be happy until you go to the nearest
observatory and start learning the real goings on. You may
have to begin by sweeping floors and such, but this probably
doesn't bother you. Some of the greatest discoveries have
been made by people who started from the ground up.

Wish you the very best!

happy days and...
starry starry nights!

--
Be very wary...
For Life will zoom past ya,
Pay heed when I say--
Tempus fugit ad astra!

Indelibly yours,
Paine http://www.painellsworth.net

Hi

You might want to try and get a job with one of the research councils. PPARC
would be a good starting point but others like NERC have a lot of lab
technicians where your skills may come in useful. Ideally you want a job at
the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh (I used to work in the admin dept there
several years ago). Worth browsing their web sites for vacancies...

Alistair



"PAUL SUTTON" wrote in message
...
Hi

I am currently working in a secondary school and want a change of scenery,
I have an interest in astronomy and am considering doing one of the open
university beginner courses, in the subject. I would like to perhaps get
a job in this field, even temporary, and would like some advice on how
to go about it.

I am in the UK at the moment. My maths is ok, (should be good enough for
the course at least) and I have studied chemisty to AS level in the UK. In
addition to this I have good computer skills (windows, Linux and some mac)
currently runnign seti at home. My current job is a mealtime assistant
with addiitonal duties to pick up litter so I consider my self somewhat
overqualified and under used, (but it's a stable job).

I would like to break out of this cycle and start on something really
useful, I have experience working with children.

Main problem is the usual
Not enough experience (but need the job to get the experienc)
Need a qualification but in the case of a NVQ teaching assistant course,
need a job to do the course. but people want experience and
qualifications, and I am up against people who have these.

I have tried to apply for Teaching assistant posts and Lab technician
posts as my chrmistry knowledge and practical skills should give me a good
start in this.

I am starting to think perhaps I should look elsewhere, and as the
astronomy course is about £99 is affordable. Can anyone perhaps offer
some advice please.

The TA course is £280, which I can't really afford, however it's free if
I give up my current job, and live off benefits, and work as a volunteer,
(I simply don't want to do this), I want to actually earn a wage, not
rely on taxpayers money.

Thank for any advice.

Paul Sutton

deally you want a job at
the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh (I used to work in the admin dept there
several years ago). Worth browsing their web sites for vacancies...

Alistair


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