Career Questions and Answers

Career opportunities abound everywhere.  With the right vocational qualification and attitude your chances of success and landing the job of your choice can increase dramatically.

If your changing career or want to up-skill or looking for a new job or thinking about starting your own business, then we strongly recommend that you read Richard Bolles book “What Color is Your Parachute”.  This is the best job hunting book out there.  It has been around a for over 30 years and over 8 million copies sold.  It is a life changing changing  book and very inspirational.  Talks about the 5 bests ways for looking for work and the 5 worst ways or searching for that career.  You need to read the book to find out what those 5 best ways are.

The following are Questions and Answers that you might find useful in helping you with your career choices.

Agriculture

What job prospects are there working in Agriculture?

Agriculture is the world's biggest business and the demand for job opportunities is enormous.   Demand for professionals will exceed the supply as there are not enough trained professionals.

Whether your interest in agriculture is hobby based or you're looking for more formal qualifications such as certificates, advanced certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas there is a course for you. Now is the time to train for a career in agriculture.  Our courses range from Agronomy  to Sustainable Agriculture.  If you love animals have a look at Beef Cattle, Dairy  Cattle, Poultry, Pigs or Sheep.  Maybe your interest is in Animal Health Care or Animal Husbandry.  Check out all our home study courses at agriculture . You'll be impressed with our wide range of courses all designed to be compatible and relevant  with industry. more...

Business & Management

How can I start a small business?

If you fancy being self employed and haven't been your own boss before, then our distance learning course Starting a Small Business is for you. A large percentage of small businesses fail within the first two years. Make sure your business isn't one of them! This course looks at how to start a business. Twelve lessons cover marketing, planning, budgeting, reviewing progress, improving profit and more.

You might also want to have a look at Marketing Psychology.  Learn to understand what makes someone buy a product.  How can you utilise this in your business?  When you understand why people make a decision to buy, or not to buy, you have a foundation for improving the marketing of anything.  more...

Bookkeeping & Accounting

Are professional bookkeepers in demand?

Absolutely! In the current economic climate, qualified bookkeepers are more needed than ever. Our bookkeeping courses are accredited by the ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers), and allow you to follow a flexible study programme from home.  If you are just starting out, our ICB Level I – Certificate in Manual Basic Bookkeeping will give you an entry level professional qualification.  Learn about computerised bookkeeping or extend your manual bookkeeping knowledge, with our ICB Level II Courses.  If you’re aiming high, consider one of our ICB combination packages, giving you 3 courses for a reduced rate, starting at Level I and finishing at Level III.

Why not qualify as a professional Payroll Processor?  The Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management (ICB Certified) homestudy course does not require any pre-requisites or previous knowledge or experience at bookkeeping.       All businesses need to pay wages whether it is for one employee or for hundreds. Knowing the correct procedures for recording wages, statutory pay scales, amount of Tax/PAYE and other entitlements etc.  Great employment opportunities await you. More...

Ecotourism & Adventure

Why is ecotourism becoming more popular?

Ecotourism involves providing people with holidays or leisure activities in natural areas (e.g. mountains, forest and sea). Rapid growth in Ecotourism also means rapid growth in job opportunities, managing ecotourism facilities or planning and conducting ecotour activities.

Choosing an eco or adventure holiday is a current craze that looks set to stay.  We’re becoming more environmentally aware and are seeking out something a bit more different than just visiting the same beach resort as everyone else.  Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism are two of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism industry, and studying with one of our courses could help your employment opportunities to grow too! Our Adventure Tourism or Proficiency Certificate in Ecotourism courses mean you can learn from home how to plan and manage these services.  Or learn to lead the tourist groups yourself, with our Ecotourism Tour Guide Course or Bushcraft and Wilderness Activities. More...

Education & Research

What are the key skills needed for teaching others?

Teaching others successfully requires a big mix of skills and qualities, which you can always develop further.  You will need a solid understanding of your subject area, the ability to handle a classroom of varying personality types, and the confidence to deliver your material well. Choose a course to suit your teaching method, from Classroom Delivery Skills or Instructional Training, to Delivering Distance Education.  Or take charge of your own education, and choose a Dissertation or Research module in your selected area, and develop your expertise.

Indeed many organisations employ qualified staff to undertake a range of research-related duties including management, policy advice and formulation, educational proposals, technical design, project planning, health and safety support services. Let our courses help you begin the path to a successful career in education and research and training and much more. More...

Environmental

Can studying the environment improve my job opportunities?

The field of environmental studies is increasingly expanding:- by nature its very broad and diversified. People are becoming  more interested in earth science and the environment now as compared to the past, as there is increased awareness in global warming and other environmental damage.

Gain a general understanding of the area with our Environmental Studies course, or specialise with one of our Alternative Energy, Marine Studies or Zoo Keeping courses.  Many of our distance learning courses are offered at different levels, too, so that you can progress in your chosen field. more...

Health & Fitness

How do I develop my fitness hobby into a career?

Many of us love to look after our bodies and enjoy exercise, but don’t realise that with some training and study, we could also teach others to do the same.  Whether you’d like to work in leisure centre management (Higher Advanced Studies in Recreation (Fitness) ), as a personal trainer or in nutritional counselling (Diploma in Food and Nutrition), there is an online course to suit your needs.  For work as a fitness leader, you could try Advanced Aerobics, Aquafitness or our Elite Fitness Leader courses. 

The fitness industry is a big employer in health clubs, gyms and resorts. A one or two week course can sometimes qualify you as a fitness leader, but without a lot more, you may never go beyond the first rung of the ladder. Fitness leaders who do well and develop long term careers are those who do more studies moving on to such things as: Freelance Life Coach or Personal Trainer, Health Club or Leisure Centre Manager, Leisure Industry Business Owner/Operator and more.

Horticulture

Can I profit from growing plants on a small scale?

With the right knowledge, you can transform your successful hobby into something a bit more profitable.  Whether you need to know the ins and outs of crop growing, to sell on your home-grown produce and obtain better quality and higher yields (see Commercial Organic Vegetable Growing), or improved methods for cut flower production (try Cut Flower Production) , our online courses can help you make the move from hobby to small business. Consider these online courses if your goal is to work as a nursery assistant:- Nursery Sales Assistant VHT103, Nursery Hands Course VHT102, Wholesale Nursery Management BHT212.
Horticulture is our largest discipline with more than 150 + courses in 10 main areas: Crops, Herbs, Home Gardening, Hydroponics, General Horticulture, Landscaping, Nursery propagation, Permaculture and Plant Varieties.

Hospitality & Tourism

Is hospitality and tourism a growing industry?

People are still prioritising holidays and travel in their leisure time, indeed Hospitality and Tourism are two of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy. With the current easy availability of transport (e.g. flights) abroad, and people spending more time on leisure activities, such as wining and dining, there are many opportunities within this sector. Our Certificate in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management is a good starting point, or you may opt for more specific Bar Service or Hotel Management courses.  Hospitality and tourism, of course, start in your own home – make use of the assets you have already with our Bed and Breakfast Management course. Enhance your job prospects considerably in this area, with any of our home study courses.

Health Sciences

How does the human body work?

This fascinating question is becoming increasingly answerable, with advances in modern science.  We know more about our bodies than ever before, and there are many jobs and careers which use this knowledge and / or seek to care for our bodies better.  With an aging population, jobs in the health sector are continuing to grow.  Learn the basics with our Anatomy and Physiology or Biochemistry courses.  Or master Medical Terminology, all from the comfort of your own home.

Health science jobs are found at a variety of different levels. For example, you could work in a hospital, office, clinic, or nursing home. Or you could work on a cruise ship, at a sports arena, or within a patient's home. Perhaps the biggest benefit in being a Health Science professional is that you will make a difference in peoples lives. 

Information Technology

How do I bring my IT skills up to a professional level?

Career opportunities in the Information Technology field seem endless today, and there is no better time for you to be part of it. A huge range of types of business in which your computer skills can be utilized include: - banking, film production, forestry, mining, health, manufacturing, engineering, management consulting practically every industry uses computers and needs people to manage, use, network or program them. Computer software, hardware, the Internet and the networks that tie it all together are the key to these systems.

It is near impossible to progress in your career, or run a successful business without adequate, or even advanced IT skills.  Get where you want to be, with one of our distance learning courses, from Computer Studies I to our Diploma in Web Site Development.  We also run courses on specific IT programmes, from Flash MX to Photoshop.

Pet Care

Could I start my own pet care business?

With the right mix of pet care and business management knowledge, absolutely! Choose from our Animal Health Care, Pet Care, or Animal Behaviour courses and many more choices, to get you on the right track.
As an industry Pet Care comprises many different types of businesses with numerous job opportunities, the majority being small and micro enterprises, and includes pet shops, boarding kennels, catteries, dog training and grooming, zoos and working for veterinary clinics to name but a few. Our pet care courses provide you with the knowledge you need within the different sections of the pet care industry.

Whether you just want to know what makes your animal tick or want to enter the Pet Care industry as a career, you’ll find any one of our distance learning courses will provide you with the necessary knowledge and foundation to get started.

Photography

Will I be able to make my photographs look professional?

Photography is increasingly popular, for preserving memories, creating beautiful pictures to display and allowing creative expression.  We could all benefit from a few tips to improve the quality of our photographs, which you can find with our up-to-date and relevant courses.  You may wish to try Digital Photography, Hobby Photography or our Introduction to Photography, which cover different mediums, effects and cameras, good composition and encourage you to develop your own photographic style.  more...

Learn how to take better photos for your own private use? Or learn to develop a fascinating,satisfying hobby? Or perhaps you are looking to develop a profitable part time business.... or even to prepare yourself for a career in the photographic industry. You'll find our distance learning courses are up to date and relevant to to-days technology. 

Practical & Workshops

How important are practical skills in my chosen career?

Good knowledge is important, but needs to be put into practice successfully to benefit you at work.  Learn to apply the theory and skills, relevant to your chosen industry, with our Workshop courses, through practical projects and assignments.  Or show that you can apply your planning, motivation and study skills to achieve an Advanced Certificate Dissertation in your area of interest. This self- paced home study  course will assist you in learning how to write and present a good dissertation. The purpose of the dissertation is to show that you are capable of writing (AND PRESENTING) in an academic manner. Able to conduct research into the relevant academic literature and write about the research in a clear and precise way. more...

Pre-Medical

Is a career in medicine right for me?

Medical careers, from being a doctor to a dentist or veterinarian, require a high degree of knowledge, passion and hard work.  If you are considering a medical career, our Pre-Medical Advanced Diploma can help you achieve the entry requirements necessary for degree study (see our website for a list of institutions recognising the course).  Other careers which may benefit from pre-medical study include midwifery, physiotherapy, nursing, podiatry and complimentary medicine. and more...

Health career opportunities include:- Anesthesiologist, Midwife, Physicians Assistant, Biochemist, Optometrist, Podiatrist, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Surgeon, Dentistry, Extracorporeal Technician, Nursing, Pharmacist, Veterinarian, Medical Illustrator, Physician and Complimentary Medicine.

The Pre-medical Advanced Diploma available by distance learning from any where in the world, is an excellent opportunity for any individual to prepare for a rewarding health career in medicine, complimentary medicine, health sciences or a para-medical fields. more...

Psychology & Counselling

Can you help me help others?

Psychology is the study of people, the mind and behaviour. It is a popular subject with people of all ages because it has a big impact on all areas of life, particularly in areas such as education, health, the economy, industry, crime, market research, social work, teaching, nursing, advertising, sales, media and broadcasting, personnel management and even the police and the Armed Forces.

Studying Psychology and Counselling can lead to immensely rewarding job opportunities, helping others through a difficult time, or understanding the viewpoints of others in your chosen area.  We are all fascinated by how we work, and what makes us and others act in the way that we do: you could try Aged Care and Counselling, or Adolescent Psychology, or our more general Counselling Skills I, which can set you on the right track for further study towards becoming a counsellor.  more..

Science

Are your science courses relevant to the workplace?

As new fields of science and technology emerge, so do new career opportunities. Science touches our lives in many ways -- in medicine, computers, military defence, and textiles, to name a few. The sciences provide stimulating and enriching opportunities for those with vocational/technical training and college diplomas. Career opportunities abound everywhere in this discipline.

At ADL, we pride ourselves on the relevance of our courses, and the practical units involved.  Many careers require scientific knowledge and being able to apply it well.  The Advanced Diploma in Applied Science is a great qualification for those working in scientific careers without previous qualifications – you can choose the course modules to suit your chosen career.  Or we offer courses in Physiology and Biochemistry, which can give you the essential knowledge you need. more...

Writing & Journalism

Could I become a freelance journalist?

Anywhere you find the written word: -magazines, press releases, books, bulletins, slogans, e-zines, lyrics, newsletters, newspapers, business reports, instruction manuals, film reviews, websites, brochures, journal articles, speeches, there had to be someone there to write it, edit it and publish it, and in some instances maybe sell it. Such a vast supply of written material means endless career opportunities. Writing and communication skills are an asset to any individual regardless of career speciality. Let our courses set you on the right path to success.

Journalism takes many forms – with the wealth of information sources we have today, from magazines, newspapers and newsletters to websites, internet blogs and e-zines, the written word is everywhere!  If you wish to pursue a journalistic career, you need to learn about planning and selling your work, an efficient approach to writing and the way that editing and publishing function.  You may also benefit from feedback on your writing skills and techniques.  The courses on offer include the Advanced Diploma in Journalism, Advanced Freelance Writing and Editing I. more....