Conservation Careers

In the competitive and dynamic world of conservation, aspiring professionals often encounter daunting hurdles that can deter even the most passionate individuals. Dhanushri “Dhanu” Munasinghe’s journey from a Quality Assurance Auditor in the Oil and Gas industry to a Conservation Programme Manager exemplifies how determination, strategic planning and a willingness to learn can overcome these obstacles.

Dhanu grew up in Kandy, Sri Lanka, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its beautiful lake, mountainsides, and rich rainforests. This biodiversity haven sparked her interest in the environment from a young age, with her first experiences of nature unfolding in her back garden.

Challenge 1: Finding direction

Problem: After completing her Life Sciences degree from the National University of Singapore, Dhanu found herself adrift, struggling to define her career path.

“Even at the time of graduating, I didn’t quite realise what I wanted to do as a career. I spent some time doing general jobs that weren’t related to biology“.

Solution: Dhanu took a pragmatic approach, initially accepting general jobs unrelated to biology, allowing her to gain diverse work experience and to develop transferable skills.

Challenge 2: Balancing passion with financial stability

Problem: As a foreigner in Singapore, Dhanu faced the dual pressures of navigating a competitive job market while managing the financial burden of her student loan.

Solution: Despite the demanding nature of her oil and gas job, Dhanu made a conscious decision to dedicate her little free time to engaging with interest groups in conservation. This included volunteering at the reptile section at the Singapore Zoo. By doing this Dhanu was able to:

1. Maintain financial stability through her day job
2. Gain valuable experience in conservation
3. Discover her true passion for nature-centric work

“When I used to work in the oil and gas sector, it was very stressful, like six to seven days a week kind of job. I always enjoyed the time I got at the zoo volunteering on the weekends.”

For nearly four years, Dhanu committed her weekends to the zoo’s reptile section, engaging with visitors, discussing reptiles, and addressing negative misconceptions. She realised environments centred around nature were where she felt most fulfilled. Dhanu decided to return to university and change her career path.

Challenge 3: Transitioning to a new career without experience

Problem: When Dhanu decided to make her career change, she knew she needed to plan her next steps, save up and get some fieldwork under her belt.

Solution: Eager to embark on a new journey, Dhanu chose to return to Sri Lanka as her starting point. She crafted the following approach to facilitate her career transition:

• 1. She reached out to NGOs, offering to volunteer despite her lack of experience.
• 2. Through persistence and openness to asking for help, she secured a role through connecting with a lecturer at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, who was also a Founder of the Tropical Ecosystem Resource Network (TERN).

“I told her I don’t have any experience, but I would love to learn. Can you involve me in any way?”

In 2016, Dhanu began supporting TERN by conducting impact assessments and case studies for five UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme projects. The United Nations Development Programme established the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme in 1992 to provide ‘financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people’s well-being and livelihoods’.

•  3. This initial experience opened doors to other opportunities.

From 2017 to 2019, she worked as a Project Officer at the Centre for Youth Organisations and at Surakshi GTE Ltd, supporting capacity building and assessing the impacts of various UNDP GEF Small Grants Programmes.

Challenge 4: Bridging the gap between theory and applied conservation

Problem: As Dhanu engaged with local communities, she quickly realised that applied conservation was worlds apart from the theoretical knowledge she had acquired. This required a different skill set and mindset.

“It was very different because these are real people affected by real conservation issues; it’s not like textbook or theory knowledge. Its applied conservation. This is where I realised that I didn’t want to go into the academic field. I’d like to be in an applied conservation programme where I can see that I can contribute”.

Solution:

1. Integrating Community Perspectives:

• Through her experiences in Sri Lanka, she learned the importance of integrating community perspectives and needs into conservation strategies. Local communities face pressing needs like infrastructure development and food security, meaning conservation often isn’t a top priority.

2. Continuous Learning:

• In 2018, Dhanu completed her master’s thesis on “Trends in Transnational Illegal Wildlife Trade of Fauna Identified through Customs Detections Data and a Review of the CITES Convention in Sri Lanka’s Context”. Being exposed to the stark realities of illegal wildlife trade and the challenges that authorities face in tackling this crisis left an impact on Dhanu.
• Dhanu also completed a diploma, in 2019, in Durrell Endangered Species Management (DESMAN), a course offered via the Durrell Conservation Academy, which is affiliated with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the University of Kent.
  • During her DESMAN course at the Durrell Zoo in Jersey, she researched activity patterns in Mountain Chicken Frogs (Leptodactylus fallax) and learned practical research methods like setting camera traps. These unique amphibians, known for their quirky appearance, resemble miniature chickens.
  • In the summer of 2024, with the support of her mentor at Durrell, she presented research findings from this student project at the World Congress of Herpetology. Initially apprehensive, she soon found comfort in talking to other researchers working on small-scale projects.

3. Making Connections:

• Dhanu sought out opportunities to gain hands-on experience, such as her internships at the Wildlife Conservation Society to investigate the trade of CITES-listed elasmobranch (mainly sharks and rays) species between Sri Lanka and Singapore, and at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation supporting the recovery of two threatened reptile species.
• She learned practical field techniques whilst meeting other wonderful conservationists around the world and began to grow roots in conservation.

“It really changed my perspective because I was just starting off changing careers and to find people, who you can relate to and hear about what they do in their own countries, despite various challenges on the ground, really shifted my perspective of things”.

Dhanu now works as a Conservation Programme Manager at Conservation international in Singapore. To hear more about her work on the Fin Finder App and her advice for career switchers, read Conservation Tech: Finding footing in a new landscape.

*This Career Advice blog is personal and Dhanushri Munasinghe’s opinions are her own. They are not reflective of her past or existing employers.

Stay in touch!

Find out know more about Dhanu’s work on the Fin Finder App.

Thinking of changing careers? Check out our Top Conservation Careers Advice for Changing Careers or our Conservation Project Manager role profile.

 

Author Profile | Laura Hayter

Laura is a creative professional with a Master’s in Marine Systems and Policies, she is driven to combine her passion for writing with ocean conservation. Her focus lies in understanding human relationships with natural environments. As a Sustainability Officer for her local council, Laura applies her expertise daily while pursuing creative writing in her free time. Explore Laura’s portfolio or connect with her on LinkedIn to learn more about her work in marine science and sustainability.

 

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