Hello!
I have been trying to get a permanent ecology job in consultancy and conservation for over two years now, but despite my best efforts I have had no luck. My frustration has reached the end of its tether, so I was hoping that if I share my experience, some of you nice people might be able to share your views please?
I graduated with a 2.1 in Biology in 2006 and immediately set off to fulfil my life long dream of working in the environmental sector. I began by volunteering for my local environmental records centre, which gave me lots of field survey and GIS experience, but in interviews for jobs I either did not have enough experience or was advised to get experience with protected species. Since then I have volunteered for two ecology consultancies, my local council and two different Wildlife Trusts. I am currently working for an ecology consultancy as a field surveyor on a 6 month contract, so combining all this I have now managed to gain lots of survey experience of protected species and mitigation, along with a range of other fauna and flora, and I have a Great Crested Newt licence.
I know that I am lacking experience in the admin side of ecology work but this is something that so far, I have not been able to get into. I get really good feedback in job interviews now, but I never get the job and get told they have hired the person with the most experience.
I do not understand how anyone can break into the environmental sector when all companies and organisations seem to care about is experience, and will not give young budding ecologists a chance. There seems to be a lack of Senior Ecologists as there are lots of these jobs being advertised all the time, but I am not surprised if it is this hard to start a career in ecology.
If anyone has had any similar experiences I would love to hear from you, and any advice would be much appreciated!
