Virtual Conservation Intern (Hengistbury Head NNR) Review

The placement experience was essentially split into two parts. The main section ran between 14th-18th December in which an array of speakers and industry experts provided talks and workshops on a range of aspects involved in being employed in the conservation sector. The second section was the group project that ran throughout the week and continued until the end of January, culminating in a final engagement proposal, which will be judged by the reserve team.

The range of speakers and workshops throughout the week has allowed better understanding of the conservation sector and particularly aspects involved in career development and CPD, day-to-day management of large reserves like Hengistbury and associated roles of the staff who work there, and areas of research. The group project allowed delegation of roles and work, brainstorming of ideas and a greater understanding of how to effectively engage children with nature as part of the proposals.

The placement provided a mind-opening insight into the range of aspects involved in the conservation sector, with the variety of speakers and topics covered making this particularly successful. Particular highlights as part of this insight included learning about career progression and CPD, the importance of forward planning and, in the context of the ongoing pandemic, the current state of play and predicted future direction of thr sector, and with this sharing different ideas and information.

The company culture and atmosphere was excellent throughout. All the placement leaders, including Brian, Kelly and Mollie, were very inviting and accommodating, always open to answering questions and queries and through the Zoom platform, allowing participants to engage with the different speakers and each other using features such as the Chat function and Breakout Rooms. The distance between everyone felt minimal, almost as though we were in the same room within the Education Centre where the placement was led.

The virtual experience was very enjoyable, and it has been a pleasure finding out more about Hengistbury Head NNR and the staff and communicating with them and all the speakers and accompanying participants throughout the placement. The networking opportunities have been particularly beneficial and with this expanding knowledge and understanding of the conservation sector, both through the talks and asking questions and subsequently using the LinkedIn platform. The engagement project was also a very rewarding experience.

Yes

These types of placement experiences which cover such a broad range of areas related to conservation and the environment and in particular career planning, yet explore the different subjects with insight, are not very common and so this type of placement provides the ideal self-affirming, rewarding and beneficial experience to explore different areas of the sector and discover where you might 'fit in', along with allowing you to network and expand your professional connections.