Virtual Conservation Intern Review

I enjoyed this virtual experience to a large extent. I am currently a Geography student, so this was an eye opening experience, allowing me to further engage in the sustainability sector as well as areas I was previously unfamiliar with, such as land management and soft skills within the environmental sector.

I felt like a valued Meyerbeer of the team. There was many people on this course, regardless, I was able to reach out and connect with those in workshops and well as those presenting. At no point did I feel I could not ask questions or get further involved with the workshops.

Guidance and support was fairly good throughout the week. The individuals and speakers running the project were very transparent in how to communicate with them directly, listing their socials as well as emails. This was a very accessible course as a geography student unfamiliar with Hengistbury head and their conservation projects.

I have developed a range of soft skills. These will be helpful throughout my career especially as a student in Geography. I have learned how to approach companies and charities to look for opportunities. I have also gained a further understanding of my own soft skills, as well as developing them further.

The virtual experience was very well structured considering the unique circumstances. It was useful that it was virtual and remote, as Hengistbury Head is no where near my place of studies. However, I would have hoped for more than just the week of speakers, to help me strengthen my soft skills learned here.

The general atmosphere during my virtual experience was very good as there were many students my age and doing similar courses, as well as a further range of people I may not have gotten the chance to meet otherwise, for example people form different united kingdom universities and mature students

The company allowed us to have a certificate as well as an open line of communication with them. However I do not feel invested in as an individual, as there was so many people eon the course, it was difficult to stand out as an individual in a crowd of very academically achieved people.

To some extent. many of the speakers in the work shops spoke to us directly about their roles in their individual companies, therefore you were able to gain an understanding of what is it like to have a full time role in various companies in the sustainability/ environmental sectors in the UK.

To some extent, there were specific work shops on soft skills and interviews which I feel covered this well. However, this could have been improved with some leaflets or resources for us to access after the week was over. The non virtual experience may have been better for further understanding company culture.

This was a very educational week in the sustainable and environmental sector. Very eye opening as a geography student unfamiliar with this work sector. Now understanding this more, I am hoping to pursue a career in sustainability or ecology, rather than land management and volunteering which is what I previously thought.

No there was no payment for this opportunity. It was only a week long, so was not expecting a payment, It was also classified as an internship so payment was never expected. This is something that could be improved, but considering it is a conservation, it is not expected or required due to their already difficult budgets

The whole week was a brilliant opportunity to network within the conservation and environmental sectors, with speakers ranging widely therefore being very diverse. I would have appreciated more speakers involved, however it was limited to one week. Linked In was very useful throughout this placement, which has helped me grow and organise my profile into something more professional.

The week was based around these networking opportunities. All speakers listed how to communicate or contact with them, usually through linked in but sometimes through their own websites or emails. There were many diverse speakers, and many opportunities to reach out. Sometimes however it was difficult to know what to say, as a person quite new to the sector.

This was not explored to in detail but more of an implication, as much of the placement is about networking and connecting with other people within this sector. If you reach out to a speaker, they may have an opportunity for you. The main issue with this is that it will not always be remote, so does partially rely on you being in the right area.

I would recommend this virtual experience to others, especially students interested in learning about about the environmental and sustainable sectors. This includes students considering careers in these sectors, as even if you think you know what you want to do, these placements can help you fully understand the commitments you are making.