Gaining Experience
Competition for jobs in this sector is high and work experience could be the deciding factor to securing a graduate job. Undertaking work experience is invaluable in developing expertise and the all-important transferable skills, which will help you demonstrate your motivation and commitment to this area of work.
However, finding experience will take time and effort; employers receive many CVs every week so you will have to work hard to stand out from the crowd. You can find out more about how to create a targeted CV in our complete CV guide.
Types of opportunities
Volunteering is a very popular way to gain experience in this sector. You could find opportunities in carrying out practical conservation, research, recording and monitoring activities, or fundraising and campaigning. Competition for salaried employment is intense so many roles are carried out by volunteers and work can be seasonal.
Look for voluntary roles on:
Participating in environmental and conservation projects overseas is also a popular way to gain experience in this field. It is however recommended to conduct thorough research into the projects, and understand any potential costs that may be involved, before committing yourself to participate. Below you will find details of organisations that offer voluntary opportunities relating to various projects worldwide:
Another way to gain experience in this field is through a short term internship or work experience opportunity.
Search for internship opportunities using the below resources:
You might also consider completing a year long placement to gain some valuable experience in this field. If you are considering a placement year in industry, a good first point of contact is your Science and Health Placements Hub, who can support you in locating a suitable opportunity.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they can offer any work experience, even if the company is not currently advertising placements or internships.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Tips for finding work experience
- Try to have something that makes you stand out in your applications: join and get involved in relevant university groups or projects. This is a good way of demonstrating your motivation and interest in this area of work.
- Tailor your project work or final year dissertation towards an environmental theme that interests you.
- Research employers/organisations carefully.
- Keep up to date with developments in the environmental field.
- Speak to your tutor or other members of Faculty staff researching in the areas that interest you, as students are sometimes recruited to work on research projects over the summer.
- Start early! Get involved, volunteer during your first and second year to help boost your employability opportunities once you graduate.
