Environment Careers

MBell1988 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2009, 10:28 PM

Hi everyone,
I have just graduated from university, I have a high 2:1 joint honours degree, animal biology and English literature, but no experience of this kind of work. I have always wanted to work with wildlife... zoo keeping would be an ideal job for me, but I have started looking at more general conservation work as well. I know that experience is EVERYTHING, and I want to do as much volunteering as possible (as soon as I get the means, I can't afford anything at the moment) as this seems to be the only way to actually get a foothold. I also want to do courses but I will have to save up for these. I did some field work during my degree but it was mostly academic/theoretical.

I was wondering if anyone here who has a career in conservation/animal jobs could offer me any advice as I am feeling pretty lost and unsure right now, with the way things are. What is the best way to get a foothold? What type of volunteering is considered valuable, what experience is a waste of time? What are the most important skills, what makes you stand out from the crowd? What kind of jobs are available to a graduate?

P.s sorry if I have posted this in the wrong place, I'm new to the forum and couldn't find a suitable place!

MBell1988 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 12:11 AM

Oops I have posted this in the complete wrong place, just found a job sub-forum. Mods can you move this for me?

Wild-Woman · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 06:29 AM

Well done on your degree. They'll be someone along later that will help you out I'm sure. One thing I do know is volunteering is a really good way of showing that you want 'in' and if you're passionate enough about wildlife and conservation, you'll stand out.
When I got my field teaching job, I took along a portfolio which showed that wildlife wasn't only the job I wanted but the fact that it also entered other areas of my life- eg hobbies and spare time (ps I don't have any now because of my job and hobbies

).

I suppose the rest will depend on what you are prepared to do. There's loads of different conservation bodies that have jobs for volunteers,so get on some lists and get inside the door. You may find that then you'll find what you do find the job that you want and also what you don't!

Good luck and I hope your career is a great one.

Words · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 09:20 PM

I can't really advise in terms of volunteering, but it may be worth also looking at magazine publishing and/or wildlife charity administration (including zoos/wildlife centres, public relations). Jobs are probably more scarce than hen's teeth right now but your degree combination is quite unusual and offers an interesting set of skills that in the right place could be very useful. Good luck!

hannahpanda · #5 (**permalink**) 14-07-2009, 10:58 PM

Animal Biology and English Literature... it must be Amanda!

There is another FR member on here too, I have sent you a msg on facebook in regards to your post on FR.

Anyway, I wrote out a massive reply on here then firefox crashed! So im going to do a shorter version.

The best way to get a foothold is gaining experience and making new contacts.

I'd say that any volunteering is valuable... its difficult to say this would be more valuable than that because there is such a broad range and a lot of jobs are very specific and narrow with what they want.

Important skills depend on the type of job- some want chainsaw licenses, boat licenses, mammal husbandry, protected species licences, extensive Phase 1 habitat survey experience, extensive GIS software experience, database management, identification skills etc (just going off the types of jobs I have looked at)

Check out environmentaljob.co.uk it has a wide range of jobs which will give you an idea of what is out there as well as voluntary jobs and internships.

This is what I have picked up/noticed whilst trying to find a job since graduating anyway!

hannahpanda · #6 (**permalink**) 15-07-2009, 10:29 AM

I forgot to say last night there are also professional bodies you can join like the IEEM and IEMA, a lot of jobs I have seen want full membership to the IEEM or it is desirable. I have graduate membership of the IEEM so at least they know I am working my way upwards and that they can send me on cheaper courses.

shirl · #7 (**permalink**) 20-07-2009, 05:58 PM

You could log on to your local wildlife trust website and also the National Trust and Natural England who have regional areas where you can see what voluntary work is being done / needed. If you stay local it shouldn't cost anything and the experience will be great. I work as a water vole surveyor for my local wildlife trust and I absolutely love it. Good way of testing out what sort of work you might like to do as well, well done with your degree & good luck

Shirl

Vilma · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 05:33 PM

Hi, but who can guaranty that after several months of voluntary work you gonna get a job? Is this only one solution how graduates can get their first job?

isis · #9 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vilma

who can guaranty that after several months of voluntary work you gonna get a job?

Hi Vilma,

Getting lots of voluntary work under your belt is key to getting a paid job in this field. It won't *guarantee* you anything but it will increase your chances by a mile and give you the chance to make important contacts. Networking is just as important in this field as any other. There are some conservation bodies that offer long term residential placements that eventually lead to a paid contract if you prove yourself and they have the funding. I did a six month voluntary contract with the RSPB that led me to a six month wardening contract.

Good luck.