By Hannah Coyle
The reason many life science graduates struggle to find employment in field roles after graduation is their lack of experience, so it’s very important to find field experience while still studying. Hannah Coyle explains ways of gaining such valuable experience before hitting the tumultuous job market.
Accessing careers in the field of conservation is tougher than ever, with many jobs requiring postgraduate study and extensive work experience. Having completed a placement year in conservation, the primary feedback I gained from my employer was that many applicants did not have the practical knowledge and species identification skills which were expected. Therefore, gaining relevant work experience can help you stand out from the crowd when completing applications and interviews. Various careers exist in the realm of conservation, from public facing roles in education, to practical management work, and field based research. The type of work experience which you gain should reflect the career you hope to pursue.
Obtaining practical skills in conservation can be difficult, with volunteering opportunities often being located in remote areas, inaccessible by public transport. However, Leeds boasts many community groups who offer volunteering opportunities, many of which are located along the Meanwood Valley Trail which beginning in Woodhouse. These groups generally meet on a monthly basis in order to manage and maintain the local woodland and parks. Volunteering of this kind can offer hands on conservation experience and allow you to gain skills in coppicing, tree identification, and tree planting for example.
Several conservation societies exist in conjunction with Leeds University Union; the Marine Science and Conservation Society meet regularly to learn more about ocean conservation, whilst the LUU Conservation Volunteers complete practical volunteering tasks. If you are undertaking a degree in the realm of biology or similar, you should also be able to gain valuable experience during your studies.
Field experience gained on field trips can be an excellent talking point during interviews, remember to backup your experience with the grades and skills obtained. In addition, undertaking a field based dissertation is a great opportunity to gain experience which you can then evidence with grades.
A common barrier to a career in conservation can be access to transport. Many placement opportunities and jobs require a clean driving license and ownership of a car. Therefore it is important to plan ahead and obtain a driving license prior to, or during your time at university, if a career in conservation interests you. Birds are frequently the focus of conservation efforts in the United Kingdom, and can be difficult to identify due to their vast diversity and often similar appearances. Leeds has several great nature reserves with bird hides, Rodley Nature Reserve and RSPB St Aidans, which are both accessible from the city centre by bus. Getting involved in on campus activities such as the “Big Garden Bird Watch” can also help you to develop your bird identification skills. Completing survey work for ecology companies which advertise over the spring and summer can also help you gain bird, small mammal, reptile and bat identification skills.
As regular voluntary work can be difficult to fit around lectures, coursework deadlines, and part-time work, one-off experiences may be more convenient. Some organisations offer short-term work experience opportunities and gaining work experience with well-renowned organisations, such as the RSPB, can also be a beneficial networking opportunity. Everyone knows everyone in UK conservation, so recommendations and references can be very valuable. In addition, getting your foot in the door at an organisation via a work experience placement can be a route to a full time position.
Similarly, undertaking a placement year in conservation can be very beneficial, and may offer a rare opportunity for paid work experience in this field. Organisations such as the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) offer placements, whilst these are often low paid many come with the provision of accommodation, which can be extremely beneficial when moving to a new, often remote, area. As advertised conservation placements are reasonably scarce, you should consider smaller organisations and write speculative applications to those which interest you.
Careers in conservation are difficult to attain, but as environmental issues such as climate change and plastic pollution become more and more pertinent, conservationists with a fresh perspective are needed more than ever.