© Eleanor Church
Kickstarting your conservation career
Finding work in the nature conservation sector may feel daunting, difficult or inaccessible. On this page, we've collated bitesize advice, tips and tricks to help you kickstart your career in the nature conservation and environmental sector.
This resource has been developed in collaboration with young people who have been involved in the Keeping it Wild project and aims to demystify the conservation jobs sector for young people, give advice on how to get your first job in the sector, outline jobs that are out there, and provide real-life experience from a range of people, including former trainees and staff at the Trust.
Conservation Careers - An Animated Guide (https://youtu.be/bCL-KSXrv9g)
Conservation Careers - An Animated Guide by Andrew Dixon, a member of the Keeping it Wild Young People's Forum
Hear from our trainees
We asked some of our former Keeping it Wild Trainees about their experience breaking into the conservation sector and what advice they'd give.
Zoe Conservation Careers - Wild Youth Hub (https://youtu.be/hkaqG_0GJzY)
A chat with Zoe Opiah, former Keeping it Wild Trainee about conservation careers.
Dan Conservation Careers - Wild Youth Hub (https://youtu.be/tQhRhayQogs)
A chat with Dan Snell, former Keeping it Wild Trainee about conservation careers.
Charlie Conservation Careers - Wild Youth Hub (https://youtu.be/hxFusE3lUnM)
A chat with Charlie Nwanodi, former Keeping it Wild Trainee about conservation careers.
Hear from our staff
Staff at Kidbrooke Village credit Hayley Bray
We asked members of London Wildlife Trust staff from a range of departments about their career journey. They also gave some useful advice on how to stand out when applying for jobs in the conservation sector.
Chantelle Conservation Careers - Wild Youth Hub (https://youtu.be/d0wrSDigSlc)
A chat with Chantelle Lindsay, Great North Wood Project Officer at London Wildlife Trust.
Edwin Conservation Careers - Wild Youth Hub (https://youtu.be/ZXbnjPvJ1sk)
A chat with Edwin Malins, Nature Reserves Manager at London Wildlife Trust.
Rosie Conservation Careers - Wild Youth Hub (https://youtu.be/776PO5Jxr5M)
A chat with Rosie Whicheloe, Landscape Ecologist at London Wildlife Trust.
Useful links
- RSPB: ‘Getting your Dream Job’
- The Conservation Careers website has lots of resources including a podcast and webinars such as Women in Conservation, as well as guides, support, listed opportunities.
- Race for Nature – Kickstart Scheme
- The Conservation Volunteers Training
-
Where Can Ecology Take You? Your Guide to a Career in Ecology – British Ecological Society
Blogs by young people
- Keeping it Wild Trainee & Young People's Forum Member, Jess reflects on her learnings from a John Muir Award Leader training session.
- Keeping it Wild Trainee Trainee Shahnoor writes about his experience working with Forest Schools and this way of learning
- 'Winter work in wildlife, musings' from Keeping it Wild Trainee Dan
- Ella, Keeping it Wild Trainee and keen photographer shares her: 10 wildlife photography tips for beginners
-
Through the lens: Keeping it Wild Trainee Liz explains the e-DNA project with Natural History Museum
Check out more hub content...
