Careers Angel Profile: Roger Benham

Below is the profile of a Careers Angel. Before you contact the Angel, please note the following:

Only alumni and students of Grey College should contact Angels
Please be polite and patient. If the Angel doesn't respond quickly, they may be on holiday, busy, or have moved to a different organisation
Make it clear that you have found their details through the Grey College Careers Angels website
Don't be demanding — the Angels are volunteers and under no obligation to help you

Name	Roger Benham
Email Address	rogerbenham@yahoo.com
Industries/Sectors	Self Employed
Employer	Self
Position	"President"
Experience	25-30 years (approx.)
Degree	Engineering Science (graduated in 1969)
Other Qualifications	M.Sc. Polytechnic of South Bank P.Eng. (British Columbia)
Internships
Information	I quit engineering in 1982 having been a consulting engineer in building mechanical engineering for 8 years with 4 years before in design contracting. I then spent 20 years hand clearing land (15 acres) and building by hand two small "hobby" farms from raw woodland. I learned how to make log buildings, frame buildings, furniture, toys and tools plus how to repair assorted tools. In 1996 I started marketing my photography and continue doing this on a small scale. I spend much of my time building and gardening with very occasional small consulting tasks.
Things I Wish I'd Known	Had I been educated in Canada I'm sure that I would have had a career in forestry. I took the right degree for myself but I should have taken the Ph.D that was offered to me in my favourite subject and possibly lead a life in academics. As it was parental pressure put me through an M.Sc and into a career I found only moderately interesting though fun at times. Meeting corruption and realising that I did not fit drove me out of that career at age 35 and instead I chose a life in the backwoods of British Columbia and had a wonderful life. I am incredibly glad that I got out of England.