reed.co.uks guide to alternative courses 2013

reed.co.uks guide to alternative courses 2013 by Michael Cheary Its a well-known fact that taking a course can be a great way to further your career.In fact, in a recent reed.co.uk survey, two out of three people agreed that studying for a new qualification greatly enhanced their career prospects.However, with so many options available, knowing which course is right for you can be a headache. If youre all Microsoft Office-d out, and AAT isnt really your thing, there are plenty of other alternatives to help you go off the educational beaten track.Here are five of our favourite unusual courses currently available on reed.co.uk:For supernatural lovers If youre fascinated by the unknown and unexplained, we have a course for you. Parapsychology is the study of the paranormal, which could include, but is not limited to, the following: ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists, UFOs and witches. Lets face it, the list is probably endless.If cards are more your thing, try taking a course in Tarot Cartomancy (fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards). No previous experience necessary, although not recommended if you scare easily.The truth is out there (introduction courses only). For animal loversreed.co.uk provides a wide range of courses for people who love their pets, catering for all creatures great and small. Horse lover? Take an Equine Science course. More of a dog person? Advanced Dog Grooming (Level 4) may be more your thing. N.B. Levels 1-3 not currently available.But our favourite has to be for feline fans. If youre an amateur ailurophile (cat lover), why not take your passion to the next stage with a Feline Studies course? Featuring modules ranging from origins of the domestic cat, feline breeding and the brilliantly named, rise and fall of cats in Europe.Youll never look at fluffy in quite the same way again.For the romanticsA couples wedding day is said to be the happiest of their lives. But throw in a few glasses of Dutch courage and some overeager in-laws, and things can quickly fall apart. Thats where you come in.Becoming a Wedding Planner will require highly developed organisational skills, a keen eye for detail and nerves of steel. In our experience, it also helps if youre just a little bit scary.If all else fails, try our Handling Difficult People and Situations course. Best of luck.For garden loversTaking a horticultural course can be a great way to turn a practical hobby into an exciting new career. Courses in areas such as Garden Design, Landscaping and Botany can all open doors professionally and help let you unleash your inner Titchmarsh.However, if youre looking for something a little different, why not try Moon Gardening? Especially apt if youre also interested in astronomy, this course teaches you how to improve your harvests simply by using the months of the year.You can thank us for all the money you save on fancy fertilizers later.For noir fansFeel its time for a career change, but dont know how to put your love of hardboiled crime solving to good use? Look no further than the Private Investigator (Level 3) qualification. Perhaps the ultimate course for any noir fan looking to take their stealthy surveillance skills to the next level. But if youre imagining a career of Dick Tracy-like solitude, think again. Todays Private Investigator examines each case systematically and thoroughly, combing painstaking research, an advanced knowledge of police practice and working on areas as wide-ranging as tracing missing persons and investigating traffic accidents.Novelty trilby and brown mac optional(although, due to health and safety regualtions, smoky offices are strictly prohibited). Interested in taking a course? Browse all available courses now