Career Zone

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Conservation

Conservation work covers a wide range of jobs across wildlife trusts, national and local government, research organisations and volunteer-led projects, so it is important to be clear about which type of conservation work interests you. 

Gaining practical experience, often through voluntary work, is crucial for building skills and professional contacts. Opportunities such as placements offered by universities or conservation organisations can be valuable for career development. Training programmes, such as those run by specialist conservation charities, can also provide experience and exposure to different aspects of the field. 

It is helpful to take a broad view of the conservation sector. Roles in habitat management, species monitoring, and ecological restoration tend to be limited in funding compared to areas such as environmental consultancy or land management, so gaining experience in multiple areas can improve your prospects. Relevant postgraduate courses can enhance your knowledge and make you more competitive.  

Useful websites for the sector include: 

  • Change Agents - a charity creating a network of change agents; people empowered to live and work in a way that makes a positive impact on the world around them.
  • Conservation Foundation - a means for people in public, private and not-for-profit sectors to collaborate on environmental causes.
  • ENDS Report - includes news, directory of environmental consultants, jobs and environmental job agencies.
  • Environmental Career Videos by Job Type from icould.com – Video profiles of professionals in relevant fields.
  • Environmental Data Interactive Exchange (EDIE) - online sustainability resource which you can subscribe to for free email updates.
  • Environmental Yellow Pages - Directory of environmental organisations, services and resources across the UK and internationally.
  • Forum for the Future - Sustainability non-profit working with businesses and governments to develop solutions for a sustainable future.
  • Prospects - explore types of jobs - Environment Section.
  • The SustainAbility Institute - think-tank and advisory firm with free email updates.
  • Wildscreen Festival – International festival celebrating wildlife and environmental media, showcasing film, photography and digital storytelling.
  • WildTeam – Conservation organisation offering courses, training, and capacity building for wildlife monitoring and habitat management. 

To see if there are any Exeter alumni working in this sector that you can get in touch with, go to the LinkedIn Alumni tool. 

Example job roles: 

Explore roles in the sector by visiting the links to job profiles below, these are just a small selection of roles, there are many more out there.  

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in the person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

  • Adaptability: willingness to travel, work irregular hours, or operate in remote or challenging environments.
  • Communication: conveying ecological findings, educating the public and engaging stakeholders.
  • Data collection and analysis: especially ecological, biodiversity or environmental data (often field-based).
  • Database management: Excel, Access or SQL for managing monitoring and survey data.
  • GIS and mapping: using ArcGIS, QGIS or similar for habitat mapping, species distribution, and conservation planning.
  • GIS software: ArcGIS, QGIS for mapping and spatial analysis.
  • Grant writing and fundraising: experience preparing funding applications for conservation projects.
  • Habitat assessment: evaluating ecosystems, vegetation surveys, soil sampling and habitat restoration planning.
  • Navigation and field safety: orienteering, GPS use, risk assessments and first aid in remote or challenging environments.
  • Policy and legislation: knowledge of conservation law, protected species regulations, environmental policies and biodiversity targets.
  • Problem-solving: particularly in field-based, time-sensitive or resource-limited situations.
  • Project management: planning, budgeting, and coordinating fieldwork or conservation projects.
  • Public engagement/outreach: experience with volunteer programmes, citizen science, schools or community groups.
  • Remote sensing and drones: for habitat monitoring, aerial surveys and ecological mapping.
  • Report writing: technical writing for conservation management plans, environmental impact assessments, grant applications or scientific publications.
  • Restoration and management: practical experience in habitat creation, species reintroduction, invasive species control and site management.
  • Species identification: strong knowledge of flora and fauna across habitats, including taxonomy and population monitoring.
  • Statistical packages: R, Python, or MATLAB for ecological modelling and data analysis.
  • Statistical software: proficiency in R, Python or SPSS for analysing ecological and environmental datasets.
  • Survey techniques: including quadrats, transects, camera traps, point counts or remote sensing.
  • Teamwork and collaboration: especially in multidisciplinary or community-based teams.
  • Wildlife handling and welfare: safe capture, handling and release of animals when required (with relevant licences). 

To develop skills, remember Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in:  

Volunteering 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

  • Ask an Alum: A fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask careers questions.
  • Career Mentor Scheme: A popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice and guidance, over a 6-month period.
  • Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements.
  • Exeter Award: The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university.
  • Gateway to Careers – Nature Networks is a programme offered by Career Zone in partnership with Ambios. It’s funded for students who meet the Widening Participation criteria.
  • Green Consultants: an award-winning programme designed to provide students with additional skills and experience required to work in the highly competitive environmental and sustainability sector.
  • Professional Pathways: a suite of sector specific training courses and paid week-long internships that take place in June.
  • The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience. 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and make a speculative application. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page.

Finding part time work  

Finding advertised graduate roles

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions and graduate schemes. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.   

Devon and Cornwall-based opportunities: 

National Jobs boards 

Public Sector & Government Organisations 

 NGOs and Conservation Charities 

  • Bat Conservation Trust - opportunities for bat monitoring, research and public engagement projects
  • British Trust for Ornithology – opportunities focused on bird monitoring, surveys and ecological research
  • Field Studies Council (FSC) - environmental education charity with vacancies advertised on the site
  • Friends of the Earth - campaigns for the protection of the environment and requires volunteers for national and regional offices
  • Greenpeace - environmental campaign organisation
  • Groundwork - a regeneration charity which recruits volunteers
  • Kew Gardens – botanical gardens in southwest London, sometimes offers internships and sandwich placements
  • Local Government jobs – UK-wide listings for council roles, including environmental, countryside and animal welfare positions
  • National Trust - opportunities in heritage, conservation, ecology and wildlife management on National Trust properties
  • RSPB - Royal Society for Protection of Birds - voluntary and paid positions
  • Sustrans - offer nationwide volunteering opportunities and support organisations to develop walking and cycling policies
  • The Wildlife Trusts – local charities across the UK, managing nature reserves, engaging with communities to promote conservation and sustainable living
  • Wild Planet Trust – working in the UK and internationally to halt species decline, operating at Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo
  • Woodland Trust – the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity
  • World Wildlife Fund UK (WWF) – global environmental organisation
  • Zoological Society of London (ZSL) – Global conservation organisation involved in wildlife research, policy, and management. 

Graduate schemes 

Structured graduate schemes in conservation are rare, you are more likely to find graduate/entry-level jobs at the sites listed above.  

If you are interested in a broader range of graduate schemes, then these websites are worth investigating: 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page.

Placements and Internships

Internships and placements 

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

General websites for internships and placements 

Several of the organisations in the sections in previous section offer placement and internship opportunities, make sure to check their websites first to see if they have any advertised opportunities before reaching out to them directly.  

Organisations that have previously offered on taken students on placements include: 

  • AIGAS Field Centre – education and nature centre in the Scottish Highlands offering wildlife experiences, field courses and internships.
  • Brecon Beacons National Park Authority - organisation responsible for managing and conserving the Brecon Beacons National Park, promoting biodiversity, sustainable tourism and community engagement.
  • Butterfly Conservation – conservation branch managing butterflies, moths and their habitats in the region.
  • Chester Zoo – leading UK zoo focused on conservation breeding programmes and wildlife education.
  • Cornish Seal Sanctuary – rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured and orphaned seals in Cornwall.
  • Cornwall Wildlife Trust – wildlife charity protecting habitats, species and nature reserves across Cornwall.
  • Devon Bird of Prey Centre – wildlife centre caring for and displaying a range of birds of prey, offering education, conservation awareness and visitor experiences.
  • EAD Ecology – ecological consultancy providing surveys and environmental advice across the UK.
  • EcoLogic Consultant Ecologists – ecology consultancy providing ecological surveys, habitat assessments and advice for planning and conservation projects.
  • ERCCIS (The Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) – Environmental records centre collecting and sharing data on wildlife and habitats.
  • Enys Gardens – historic gardens in Cornwall promoting biodiversity and horticultural heritage, with opportunities for conservation and garden management.
  • Field Studies Council – environmental education charity offering field courses and training in ecology and conservation.
  • Flicka Donkey Sanctuary – Sanctuary in Cornwall providing care and shelter for rescued donkeys.
  • Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust – Charity managing and protecting the natural environment and biodiversity of the Isles of Scilly through conservation projects and habitat restoration.
  • Longleat – Safari Park and conservation centre working on endangered species breeding and education.
  • Met Office – The UK’s national meteorological service providing weather and climate science, supporting environmental research and resilience planning.
  • National Marine Aquarium – UK’s largest public aquarium in Plymouth, dedicated to marine conservation, research and education.
  • Newquay Zoo – Wildlife Park in Cornwall focused on conservation breeding programmes and education.
  • Rothamsted Research Institute – agricultural research centre advancing sustainable farming and environmental science.
  • Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory – bird observatory in Kent monitoring bird populations and migration patterns.
  • UK Hydrographic Office – government agency providing hydrographic and marine geospatial data for safe navigation and marine research.
  • The Conservation Volunteers - volunteer organisation supporting environmental and conservation projects.
  • The Rock Pool Project – citizen science and marine education charity.
  • Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary – sanctuary providing lifelong care for rescued monkeys and promoting primate welfare.
  • Wild Planet Trust, Paignton Zoo – conservation charity managing Paignton Zoo and supporting global wildlife conservation.
  • Working Woodlands Cornwall - community interest organisation promoting sustainable woodland management and conservation projects.
  • WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre – wetland conservation reserve in Gloucestershire managed by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
  • Zoological Society of London (ZSL) – Global conservation organisation involved in wildlife research, policy, and management. 

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal. The worldwide country guides cover everything from job search resources and CV guidelines to cultural advice and visa information. Watch a short training video on how to get the most from GoinGlobal (4 minutes 20 seconds). 

For help with making speculative applications you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

Advice 

If you would like to pursue postgraduate study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.  

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.