I received a rather surprising email late last week – a job offer, all because of my blog. Now here I was thinking I was writing these pieces to help others land jobs in the industry, and I find myself with another possibility!
I am convinced God has a sense of humour when it comes to timing. I’ve recently put in a job application for January of next year (the start of my six months of play time) but haven’t been settled about this particular job as I feel I’m underqualified. I also have a couple of other possibilities or I could do a bit of travel again – never one to pass that up! Two Sundays ago I went up for prayer at Church for direction and discernment – I really need some help in this area 😉
Go figure, rather than a light going on for me over a particular job, I get another offer to add to the decision making! This one is in regards to teaching horse studies – something I’ve not done. However, I have taken three horse courses and the job I do six months of the year covers most of what is learned in these courses, so it’s an area I’m familiar with and more importantly, passionate about.
So of course the offer is appealing. I’ve had a chat with some people already in similar roles who earn between $30-$50 an hour. None too shabby when I consider my weekly wage and convert it to an hourly rate! To be more appealing in regards to filling the position offered, I’ve been told to go out and get my Certificate IV in Assessment and Training. I’ve had a quick look online – the course can be done in a two week stint full time or weekly/fortnightly for fifteen sessions. What I found was going to cost me around $2,000. Not out of the question, but not overly appealing considering the duration length. (You’re looking at someone who studied full time for 2 years at TAFE and the cost was around $1,400 all up).
Had a chat with the secretary here at work who has already done this course and teaches when not at the stud. Turns out I can do the course nearby – about 40 minutes away, for around $700. Much more appealing!
Either way, if the course was $2,000 or $700, if you’re passionate about horses, have decent hands on experience and think you’d like to teach, you should consider getting your Certificate IV.
Putting it into perspective – at a worse case scenario – if the course costs you $2,000 and this resulted in a job paying $30/hour; you’d need to work 67 hours to make back the course fee – equivalent to two weeks full time work. Best case scenario – the course costs $700 and you get paid $50/hour; you’d need to work 14 hours to earn that $700 back. Not bad at all!
“Nothing on four legs is quicker than a horse heading back to the barn.”
tag: australia, course, job, self education, training
The Equus Ink says
I just got to your new site, and congrats on the job offer! I’ll be around quite often as I am hunting to find a horse-related job besides possibly being a trainer and instructor. As until you get out there well enough to establish a good program and clientel, it’s a tough life as a horse trainer!
Wishing you the best!
Keri
Janey Loree says
Hi Chris! Sounds like God is doing a great work in your life! I am in search of equine related blogs to add to our new BLOG VILLAGE Equine Webring.
I am finalizing the list in order to launch the first webring in BLOG VILLAGE. Since you are already a BLOG VILLAGE member and you have a horse related blog, I am inviting you to join! I feel that your blog would be a great asset to the webring, too!
If you are interested, please let me know…
risingrainbow says
Sounds like a deal to me either way if you’re assured of the job at the end. Pretty cool.