Our engagement team
Areas of work
- Delivering informative school assemblies and educational session.
- Providing young people with skill and confidence building opportunities by working with youth volunteer groups, work experience students and colleges.
- Running a range of awareness raising public campaigns and events to inspire people and communities to support nature conservation across Worcestershire.
- Organising and delivering educational events and courses that help people to develop their understanding of species and habitats.
- Leading community projects that help to inform people about the wildlife on their doorstep and inspire them to take part in local initiatives to help restore local wildlife on their local patch.
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| Experience |
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| Personal qualities |
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Case study: Ben, Youth Engagement Officer
When I was younger, I wanted to be wizard but I soon realised that I would need an alternative career path. I knew I loved animals so thought I wanted to be a vet but after nearly two years of volunteering at a local veterinary centre, I decided that although I had enjoyed my experience, working with domesticated animals was not for me.
I particularly enjoyed biology and loved David Attenborough’s nature documentaries so after A-levels, I went on to study zoology at university.
With top academic grades I foolishly thought the world was my oyster; careers advisers had told me I would walk into a job. However, I soon learned that without experience (or a driving licence) this was not the case and despite applying for dozens of jobs, I did not get a single interview.
Disheartened, I managed to find some part-time work in shop whilst volunteering with as many local conservation and wildlife organisations as I could to gain experience, while all the time still applying for conservation-based jobs. This gave me the skills and experience to get a position as a Graduate Ecological Consultant. I really enjoyed this role and learned loads from the amazing people I got to work with, but after nearly two years I felt that ecological consultancy was not quite for me so I began to look for alternatives.
I worked as a labour-only sub-contractor for a few months whilst also volunteering and applying for jobs. Eventually I had the opportunity to undertake a year-long traineeship with Shropshire Wildlife Trust as a People and Wildlife Officer; I jumped at the chance, obtaining a City and Guilds qualification and accumulating valuable experience that allowed me to get my current position working part time (three days a week) at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. I also work part-time (two days a week) at a second conservation charity undertaking practical habitat management tasks.
Although they may not have been exactly what I wanted to do, each of my experiences (and the people I worked with) helped me build my skills, confidence and knowledge, providing me with transferable skills and eventually putting me in a position to be able to apply for, and get, the roles I am in now and which I absolutely love!
