What is a Cow Inseminator? 

A Cow Inseminator is a trained person who artificially inseminates a cow for breeding purposes. 

Artificial Insemination (AI) is extremely common in dairy farming – more so than in beef-farming. AI can also happen in other animal breeds. It’s even used on endangered wildlife species to help them raise their numbers. 

AI is carried out by trained Cow Inseminators (AI Technicians), qualified vets or licensed farmers on their own cows. 

Semen (sperm) is bought from Farming Sperm Banks or collected from the farmer’s own bulls. This semen is then placed inside a special instrument which is inserted deep into the cow’s vagina so that the semen is placed beyond the cervix. The placement is important so that fertilisation can take place.

The reasons for AI:

• Improving the genetic strain of the cows
• Disease control
• Cost:  Raising bulls is very expensive
• Flexibility:  Allows farmer to be in control of breeding patterns
• Safety: Some bulls can be very aggressive and potentially dangerous

Youtube clips on insemination:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJgQunMqZv0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_MymKMyVRE

What does a Cow Inseminator do?

• research genetic patterns of breeding herd
• collect semen and store it correctly
• choosewhich cows to inseminate
• place semen into cows
• monitor pregnancies
• keep records

Are you … ?

• interested in biology?
• interested in farming?
• an animal lover?
• caring?
• observant?
• thorough?
• detail orientated?

How do I become a Cow Inseminator?

One way to become a Cow Inseminator is to train as a Veterinarian.

Another way to become a Cow Inseminator is to do relevant courses – contact the University of Pretoria (Dept of Animal & Wildlife Sciences).  Sometimes they offer courses in AI.

Study some form of Animal Science – majoring in husbandry (breeding).  A 4 year BSc in Animal Science can be done at University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Free State, Natal, Fort Hare, Venda and The North.

• SASAS:  SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL SCIENCE

http://www.sasas.co.za/about-animal-science

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Veterinary Anatomist or Animal Nutritionist

Is becoming a Cow Inseminator the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

OFO No: 265901

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip of ‘Living’ Statue Artist

What is a Living Statue? 

A Living Statue is a form of Mime Artist.   

A Living Statue usually works as a street performer (busker), posing for hours like a statue. In some upmarket stores in London and New York, Living Statues pose as ‘live’ mannequins in the store windows. 

Living Statues pose in parks, on the street or in places where lots of tourists pass. They keep dead-still and only move an arm or a leg or smile to get a funny or shocking reaction out of the passers-by. 

Living Statues’ clothes, make-up and poses are extremely realistic. The more realistic they are, the more successful they are. Some Living Statues paint their entire bodies and clothes silver or gold to mimic a proper statue. It’s a lot harder than it looks as it requires a lot of stamina.

Some people and young children find Living Statues creepy or scary.  Avoid jumping out or scaring people as this will not win you any favours. 

What does a Living Statue do?

• researches a perfect, original or topical statue to mimic
• finds suitable locations to perform
• makes a costume and chooses accessories/props etc
  
• dresses up and paints themselves to mimic a statue
• chooses a small action of surprise to thank the people who leave money
• rehearses shifting a pose gradually from one position to another
• keeps fit and healthy to maintain long poses
• controls breathing so it’s not obvious that they’re alive
  

Are you … ?

• patient?
• able to sit or stand still for very long periods at a time?
• fit and healthy?
• able to work in all weather conditions?
• willing to work and earn as a street performer?
• willing to dress up and do the same work every day?
• creative?
• friendly?

How do I become a Living Statue?

The only way to become a Living Statue is to design your own look and costume and get out onto the street and practice as much as you can. Successful Living Statues are the ones that have something unique to offer.  So consider your unique-ness. What will make you original or memorable?

The more mistakes you make in the beginning the quicker you’ll learn and hone your skills making you a more successful Living Statue.

Some Living Statues have a background in performing arts/drama/mime. This is not essential but it will be an advantage.

Interesting article about a Living Statue:

http://www.gutmag.eu/blog/beyond-the-spotlight-the-living-statue

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Mime Artist … or … Acrobat

Is becoming a Living Statue the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Chick Sexer? 

A Chick Sexer or Chicken Sexer is a trained individual who is responsible for working out the sex of a baby chicken. They make sure which chickens lay eggs and which become meat. 

Large, commercial hatcheries will employ Chick Sexers. This is necessary as male (cocks) and female (egg-laying hens) have different feeding programmes. 

There are 3 ways to sex a chick: 

• ‘feather sexing’

Fairly easy – as the male and female chicks have different colour feathers

• ‘vent sexing’

The Chick Sexer has to gently squeeze poop out of the chicks so they can see the inside of the chicks where the sex organs are.  Chick Sexers sex thousands of chicks a day. 

• using scientific machinery

Here is a Youtube clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMF9YnQBCkg

What does a Chick Sexer do?

• vent or feather sex chicks
• separate chicks into males and females
• note how many chicks have been sexed

Are you … ?

• calm and patient?
• gentle?
• responsible?
• observant?
• willing to do routine work every day?
• able to stand for long periods at a time?

How do I become a Chick Sexer?

There is no definite answer to this question. However, you may consider contacting one of the large hatcheries to ask them which route you should take. If these hatcheries don’t use machines to sex their chicks they may even offer in-house training to you to become a Chick Sexer.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Animal Breeder or Animal Health Technician

Is becoming a Chick Sexer the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

What is a Surfboard Shaper? 

Surfing around the world is a huge, international sub-culture with its own technical designers, icons and clothing brands. 

Surfboard Shapers play an extremely important role in surfing circles. They are the designer-scientists that design, create and shape surfboards around the world. Surfboards have to be function-specific – It’s so important that one surfboard can change a surfer’s life for ever! 

Surfboard Shapers are skilled crafts people. Each surfboard design is original. Surfboard Shapers look to improve speed, maneuverability, weight and handling.

They also design boards for different reasons:

• Big wave surfing
• Trick and competition surfing
• Tube riding
• Speed surfing etc

Al Merrick and Jeff Bushman are 2 well known Surfboard Shapers and have revolutionised the surfboard industry. 

What does a Surfboard Shaper do?

• research ideas
• draw up creative but practical ideas
• discuss with clients their requirements
• make and shape boards
• test boards
• outsource the laminating and decoration
• control quality

Are you … ?

• a surfer?
• passionate about the sea?
• technically astute?
• creative?
• good with your hands?
• innovative?
• accurate?
• a perfectionist?

How do I become a Surfboard Shaper?

You could start off working in a surf shop. During this time you may meet Surfboard Shapers.  If you show enough enthusiasm and passion they may consider teaching you the ropes.

You could do a Surfboard Shaping course:

• GROUNDSWELL SURFBOARDS

http://groundswellsurfboards.co.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Diver or Set Designer

Is becoming a Surfboard Shaper the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

OFO No: 265901

CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE

For Youtube clips of great Mime Artists

What is a Mime Artist? 

A Mime Artist is a performing artist. The most famous of all Mime Artists was Marcel Marceau (1923 – 2007). 

A Mime Artist is a form of silent actor. They do not utter a sound but are able to entertain audiences using only movement and expressions.
This form of entertainment dates back to Roman times. 

A Mime Artist usually dresses in black, paints their face white with dark eyes and lips to exaggerate the expressions. White gloves are worn so that audiences are compelled to watch the hand movements too. 

There are 2 forms of mime: Abstract & Literal

Abstract

The Mime Artist prefers to interpret emotions or feeling rather than acting out a particular story or real-life action

Literal

It’s usually funny and tells a story. Hand gestures and facial expressions are heavily exaggerated to get enhance the comedic moment.

Mime Artists can work for a circus company, an events company or for independently.  They can perform at various events and at corporate and private functions. 

What does a Mime Artist do?

• researches  material (news articles, books, overhearing stories on the bus or train etc)
• continually thinks up new material
• practices new material
• dresses up for the part
• act out the performance
• tries to find gigs or events to perform at
• invoices and keeps books

Are you … ?

• a performer?
• confident?
• creative?
• expressive?
• original?
• observant?

How do I become a Mime Artist?

At this time there does not seem to be any Mime-only qualification, however, a lot of courses/diplomas/degrees in Drama include Mime as part of the curriculum. From there, you could then perfect your art on your own.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Actor … or … Clown … or … Entertainer

Is becoming a Mime Artist the right career choice for me?