Virtual Conservation Insight Scheme Review

This virtual conservation insight scheme provided a broad overview of the conservation industry with daily speakers from varying roles demonstrating the prospects of varying job roles in the industry. Talks also included from those at Hengistbury Head who showed us placement students what a day on Hengistbury Head reserve looks like. We also had time set aside for our workshops where we would work as a group to compose a campaign for Hengistbury with the aim to engage visitors with its wildlife.

I enhanced several skills during my virtual conservation insight scheme. Since everything was virtual and online, I was having to navigate my way around using zoom and communicating with others - this most definitely strengthened my technology knowledge. Furthermore, the insight scheme strengthened my communication as well as my confidence in speaking with new individuals - particularly when try to coordinate on a project. Often group work with new individuals can be daunting, but the staff running the scheme offered plenty of support and guidance!

Throughout the virtual conservation insight scheme, my eyes were opened to a lot more sectors of the conservation industry that i was not previously aware of. The broad variety of speakers providing an insight into their job role was interesting, but in particular the ability to ask them questions and ask how they got into their role was even more helpful - it provided me with an indication of steps I can be taking to get where they are now.

Personally, I found the week long virtual conservation insight scheme very informative and professional. Everyone involved in running the placement at Hengistbury and those who gave talks were very friendly, helpful and approachable. Even though the scheme was virtual, you were able to feel the passion of all those within the company (and external speakers) when discussing their work, as well as how they kept their love of conservation at the centre of every educational talk.

I really enjoyed the content provided during the virtual conservation insight scheme - I found it both insightful, informative and very relevant to the topics i am studying in my zoology degree. The team at Hengistbury Head and all the external speakers were very engaging and friendly and it was very enjoyable to hear about their personal roles and of their knowledge regarding conservation! The insight scheme more than met my expectations and I would most definitely do it again!

Yes

The tips and/or advice that i would give for others apply for the virtual conservation insight scheme is to really engage with the placement. I would advise prospective applicant to make sure they ask guest speakers lots of questions, take lots of notes on the talks provided and talking to other placement students! I would also advice them to utilise this great networking opportunity and to ensure they have a LinkdIn profile at the ready to get networking!