EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment
Interview preparation
EARTHQUEST job positions
If you have been selected to participate in an interview to determine your suitability and qualifications to join EARTHQUEST congratulations because that means that we are interested in considering you for employment! However, you may not have the 3 - 5 years of practical field experience or the ability to positively field identify 75% or more of the flora and/or fauna species on EARTHQUEST projects. This is the minimum criteria necessary to gain immediate employment. During your interview you will be asked questions to determine the depth and breadth of your knowledge of the flora and/or fauna on EARTHQUEST projects. This means that if you have applied to a job position in Canada you must be knowledgeable on flora and fauna of the eastern half of North America. If you have been given links to our website it would be wise to study them before you come to your interview. Candidates who research the organization they have applied to and who can accurately answer all assessment questions will be most likely to be hired immediately for employment positions. You will be assessed on your field ID skills and other skills related to the job position you applied. If you do not pass this assessment then we cannot hire you directly for immediate employment. Instead, if we are interested in working with you to upgrade your skills for employment purposes then we may suggest the you enroll in General FAT Program courses. Applicants who do not state their willingness to enroll in courses upon acceptance will not be considered for internships or other employment options and we will choose to work with another candidate. Each General FAT Program courses cost between $700.00 - $1200.00 CAD to complete in an average of 4 - 6 weeks by either attending our Biological Field School in person for up to 35 hours per week (Mondays, Wednesdays from 9 am - 4 pm and Fridays from 9 am - 4 pm for students ). At the close of your courses or program you will be evaluated for employment readiness. If you meet the minimum 75% flora and fauna field ID criteria then you will be encouraged to apply to the first available jobs, internships and other employment opportunities. If you are chosen to enroll in courses to upgrade then your chances of gaining successful employment upon completion is greater than 90%. The cost to enroll in course upgrades varies with each student, but most students require between 3 - 5 courses to qualify for employment. If cost is a factor prohibiting you from upgrading then consider the cost of not upgrading and spending the next 3 - 5 years trying to gain the same knowledge, skills and experience necessary to become employed in the environmental industry. Don't let the initial cost keep you from obtaining meaningful employment with a job which will pay more over the long term. Courses through the General FAT Program may be purchased in several ways;
For more details on payment plan options please refer to;
Option #1: You choose which of the three packages works best for you and we mutually work out a schedule which allows you to complete courses by personally attending field sessions at our Biological Field School, located near Aylmer West, Ontario. Field sessions are Mondays, Wednesdays from 9 am – 4 pm and Fridays from 9 am – 4 pm.
Option #2: You choose which of the three packages works best for you and we mutually work out a schedule which allows you to complete courses by personally attending some field sessions at the time of your General FAT Program registration and payment of your non-refundable tuition. For example, Fridays from 9 am – 4 pm, while you spend remaining time completing the course material via correspondence. If stuck arrange an appointment with the Instructor as a private tutorial session. Students wishing to change the structure of their General FAT Program, course or project in any way or format, for example, changing the program length from a 12 month to a 9 month General FAT Program, will be required to pay a 10% cancellation fee (of the total tuition) and must receive permission from their Instructor/Teacher.
Option #3: You choose which of the three packages works best for you and we mutually work out a schedule which allows you to complete all courses via correspondence at the time of your General FAT Program registration and payment of your non-refundable tuition. If stuck arrange an appointment with the Instructor as a private tutorial session. Students wishing to change the structure of their General FAT Program, course or project in any way or format, for example - a change in program length as above, will be required to pay a 10% cancellation fee (of the total tuition) and must receive permission from their Instructor/Teacher.
To download the current course descriptions/syllabus of all courses offered in 2009 please refer to;
2009 General FAT Program courses
Package #1
Investing in 3 General FAT courses (3 month FAT Program) gets you the following; job posting service for up to 1 year, assistance with resume and cover letters, preparing for interviews, 1-1 instruction with a highly qualified instructor, access to school equipment, course materials, some management/leadership training. Can you get excited about being 12 – 16 weeks away from getting a great job? Graduates with this training have gotten contract positions and short term internships with EARTHQUEST and Conservation Authorities.
If you are not completely 100% satisfied that the first course or program is not taking you closer to your goal of becoming employed in the environmental industry then there will be no further obligation to take further courses. If you are satisfied then EARTHQUEST staff will work with you to provide the most suitable courses and develop a payment plan which may benefit you most.
Package #2
Investing in 6 General FAT courses (9 month FAT Program) gets you the following; job posting service for up to 1 year, assistance with resume and cover letters, preparing for interviews, 1-1 instruction with a highly qualified instructor, 8 - 12 week part time or full time (paid) internship, school equipment, course materials, some management/leadership training. We could assist with obtaining funding to help cover tuition costs plus wages, but you must be eligible. You would complete your training in 20 – 24 weeks, but would be more qualified to apply to more jobs such as a teaching assistant position at the Biological Field School. Graduates with this training have gotten contract positions with Conservation Authorities, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bird Studies Canada, the Long Point Bird Observatory, environmental consulting firms and the National Parks system.
Package #3
Investing in 11 General FAT courses (12 month FAT Program) gets you the following; job posting service for up to 1 year, assistance with resume and cover letters, preparing for interviews, 1-1 instruction with a highly qualified instructor, 12 week to 12 month part time or full time (paid) internship, school equipment, course materials, management/leadership course which entitles you to apply to management and teaching positions available at the Biological Field School. We could assist with obtaining funding to help cover tuition costs plus wages, but you must be eligible. You should complete your training within 28 – 42 weeks. Graduates with this training have gotten full time positions with EARTHQUEST, Conservation Authorities, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bird Studies Canada, the Long Point Bird Observatory, environmental consulting firm, the National Parks system and camp grounds.
This is how to do it
D. Jolly, B.Sc.
| EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment 8122 RR #5, Rogers Rd. S. Aylmer, Ontario, Canada N5H 2R4 ©copyright EARTHQUEST (Canada) for the Environment Website designed and maintained by D. Jolly | Last Updated 26/12/07 |