Careers in Marine Conservation
Thinking about a career in marine conservation but not sure how to go about it? Interested in coastal and marine work but struggling to get your foot in the door? Reading the next 500 words could get you off to a flying start!
A Word of Warning
Working in conservation is highly competitive, and you have to be prepared to work long hours for little money. Success only comes to those willing to persevere, but if you are passionate and enthusiastic about the environment then all your hard work will eventually pay off.
Volunteer! Volunteer! Volunteer!
You can study for the rest of your life, but if you can’t back this up with suitable experience you may struggle to beat off the competition and get that all-important first job. To avoid the deadly ‘over-qualified, under-experienced’ trap, get involved with wildlife and conservation groups - try your local Wildlife Trust or get in touch with the Marine Conservation Society. Voluntary work can develop the skills you need and prove your commitment. You will start developing important contacts and you can often hear about jobs being available before they are advertised publicly. Trying out a range of different jobs might give you a better idea of the type of work you really like. The earlier you start, the better!
Get qualified!
There are plenty of avenues to explore, and a wide range of suitable courses to choose from at all levels. Best to keep your options open if you’re unsure. A-Levels in Geography, Biology and Environmental Science are a good start. If you prefer a more hands-on approach then Sparsholt or Farnborough College offer courses in Countryside, Fisheries and Animal Management. University is the time to start specialising in your interests and the South East is well placed for courses, with universities at Southampton, Bournemouth and Portsmouth all running BSc and MSc courses that cover oceanography, marine biology, fisheries science, coastal zone management and marine conservation.
A few more tricks up your sleeve
If you are considering marine work, there are some further skills you can develop that might give you the edge over other applicants. Learning to SCUBA dive will help, joining a BSAC club is probably the cheapest way. Once you’ve got the hang of it why not take part in some marine projects. The Wildlife Trusts and MCS run regular Seasearch surveys, where you can improve your wildlife knowledge and pick up some valuable skills. Get your sea legs and improve your boat handling ability; the Royal Yacht Association run courses for all levels and have centres throughout the South East coast. Make the most of skills you have, first aid knowledge, photography, and web page design can all play a part in marine conservation work.
Web links and useful addresses
www.rya.org.uk
www.bsac.com
www.mcsuk.org
www.soton.ac.uk
www.bournemouth.ac.uk
www.port.ac.uk
www.farn-ct.ac.uk
www.sparsholt.ac.uk
www.greendirectory.net
www.countryside-jobs.com
www.newscientist.com
www.environmentpost.co.uk
www.sut.org.uk
www.imarest.org
