Online Course | Conservation Career Kick-Starter
What is the Conservation Career Kick-Starter?
The Conservation Career Kick-Starter is a proven step-by-step system to get clear, get ready, and get hired in the conservation sector. No confusion. No ambiguity. Telling you EXACTLY what to do. Walking you through the entire process.
You’ll get a much clearer idea of the sector, the hot (and hidden) jobs, which ones are right for you, what experience and education you need, and how to apply for them, get interviews and get hired.
After going through the course, you’ll have created a personal career plan which will finally give you confidence in your job hunt and will make everything quicker, simpler and more fun!
Taught at over 40 Universities, including...
“You will not regret enrolling in this course! This is an absolutely unmissable opportunity in my book if you have any career aspirations whatsoever: academic, conservation, consultancy, general graduate market.
The process of self-reflection as part of the course will deeply empower you going forward, no matter what path – it will be a fruitful one”
Professor Brendan Godley, Chair in Conservation Science, Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC), University of Exeter.
The Conservation Career Kick-Starter includes:
- Support from us. You’ll have support from us (see profiles below) via email, Zoom, and in our private Facebook group. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
- Instant access to 3 Step-by-Step Modules and 17 Units (to attack at your own pace]. Exactly what to do. NO fluff. You’ll be guided by me through the entire process of how to get a conservation job.
- Access to a growing online community of course-mates from across the globe to share ideas, ask questions and support one another.
- A workbook including a series of practical tasks designed to build the essential skills needed to focus and speed up your job hunt. It also captures all your learnings and next steps – forming a personalized career plan.
- A year’s membership to the Conservation Careers Academy (worth $30 / £40 / €34). This gives you access to around 8,000 opportunities (jobs, volunteering, Internships, courses and more), our CV talent pool, online forum, TWO eBooks and much more…!
- Rock-solid guarantee: Try it for 14 days. Not happy for whatever reason? We will refund 100% of your money.
- Certificate. Everyone who completes the course receives a certificate.
Your Career Support Team
Dr Nick Askew
Nick is the Founder and Director of Conservation Careers and holds a PhD in the behavioural ecology of Barn Owls.
As a professional conservationist over the past 20 years he has worked across the Academic, Private, Public, Charity and Enterprise sectors.
During his career, he has raised over £2,500,000 for conservation projects across 120 countries to help threatened species and habitats. Recently, he has helped thousands of people into their dream conservation job.
Since establishing Conservation Careers he has spoken to over 500 professional conservationists and curated their advice, and his experience, into this online course.
He’ll be your lead course guide and can’t wait to help you get your conservation career on track!
Dr Fernando Mateos-González
Fernando is a Spanish biologist with a PhD in Behavioural Ecology and an MSc in Animal Biodiversity.
His research on animal behaviour and conservation has led him to work in Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Americas, in amazing places such as the rainforests of Trinidad & Tobago, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or Lake Tanganyika in Zambia.
He currently works as a conservation biologist in the Czech Republic, and supports expeditions as a mercenary biologist. In 2018, he joined the BBC in the Peruvian Amazon to shoot scenes for the new Attenborough series “Seven Worlds, One Planet”.
In his free time, he runs Bioblogia.net, where he helps students and early career professionals to find their dream environmental job.
Kristi Foster
Kristi is the Head of Engagement at Conservation Careers and has a Master´s in Conservation Biology.
She’s really passionate about helping conservationists find and fulfil their potential in the sector.
Her conservation work has led over the past 7 years to Africa, UK, Australia and Latin America in everything from field work and environmental education to project management and communications.
She has worked for Ecotourism Australia, Fauna & Flora International (UK) and the World Agroforestry Centre (Kenya) and is looking forward to helping you on your career path!
The Conservation Career Kick-Starter is the #1 career training course for budding conservationists
- Proven system with happy students across the globe, with 100% satisfaction and recommendation ratings!
- Walks you through EVERY part of the process step-by-step from getting clear about your options, to getting ready and getting hired.
- Need some accountability, inspiration & feedback (and answers to any of your questions)? The Conservation Career Kick-Starter PRIVATE Facebook group (which you will get access to with your enrollment) has like-minded students working through the modules alongside you and supporting you.
"Finally, a proven step-by-step system for how to get a conservation job!"
Dr Nick Askew
Director - Conservation Careers
What do people think of the course?
The proven step-by-step modules
Module 1 | Who are you?
Discover a deeper understanding of yourself, laying the foundations for a successful career. Units include
- Your Superpowers | Uncover the unique skills and abilities you possess.
- The History Test | Learn from your past roles to help your future career.
- Your Skills | Identify what you love doing, and are great at!
- The Airport Test | Enjoy exploring where you might want to be in five years’ time.
- Your Preferences | Get clear about which work contexts suit you.
- Your Causes | Clarify the issues you might want to tackle in your career as a conservationist.
Module outcome – A clearer understanding of who you are, and what’s important in your career going-forwards.
Module 2 | Where are you going?
Identifying your dream job within the expansive conservation sector. Units include:
- Conservation Employer Types | Learn the different employer types within the conservation, their pros and cons, and explore which is right for?
- Conservation Job Types | Get a clear picture of the 15 key conservation job types in the sector, their duties, employment criteria, plus an analysis of the hot (and hidden) jobs.
- Your Job Shortlist | Explore the jobs which suit and excite you, to produce your shortlist.
- Your Target Conservation Job | Nail your target conservation job. The one which will make you happy, impactful, and successful.
- Stepping Stones and Switching careers | Identify any transitional roles which can help to get you hired quicker. (Especially relevant for career switchers who might be able to quickly apply your current skills in the conservation sector).
Module outcome – A target conservation job to focus upon.
Module 3 | How will you get there?
With a target job the plan becomes simpler. This final module is all about pulling together a plan of action to get you the dream conservation job you deserve. It includes:
- Your Gaps | Identify and fill any gaps, quickly, easily, and cheaply, to become super-employable for your chosen role.
- Commitments | Make a commitment to ensure your career in conservation starts quickly.
Outcome – A clear and complete plan of action for how to secure the job you deserve (plus the motivation and support to make it happen).
SPECIAL BONUS | How to apply for a conservation job
Learn our proven ten-steps system for how to apply for a conservation job.
This includes CVs, Resumes, Cover Letters, and Applications Forms.
By the end of the module, you’ll know the process to follow to craft applications that get you interviews.
SPECIAL BONUS | How to prepare and deliver great job Interviews
Understand the key aspects of preparing for, and delivering, great interviews that get your hired.
We’ll cover how to handle nerves and ensure you really shine on your special day. Delivering an interview that gets you hired.
By the end of the module, you’ll know the process to follow to be fully prepared to deliver interviews that lead to job offers.
SPECIAL BONUS | Top Tips In Your Job Hunt
This is the final bonus module in the series and is a compilation of advice to help you in your job hunt and beyond.
We’ll cover important topics and themes that will help to increase your chances of career success in the conservation sector.
We’ll also remind you that you’re not alone anymore – we’re here with you all the way!
SPECIAL BONUS | The Conservation Careers Academy
The Conservation Careers Academy contains the best career-boosting resources, training and support from the leading experts in the conservation industry.
As a member you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re getting your career on the right track quickly, and that you’re not alone.
Included in the Conservation Careers Academy are 11 ways to make saving the planet your day job.
CONSERVATION JOBS
Get access to the world’s biggest conservation job board with over 12,000 jobs from across the globe enjoyed by our Kick-Starters each year.
Covering all job types and levels, we work especially hard to find the early career roles so important to get your career going. As a Kick-Starter you can also bookmark, add notes and set up unlimited job alerts.
Don’t let your dream job slip you by…
CONSERVATION EXPERIENCES
Search through hundreds of conservation Internships, Volunteerships and Expeditions from across the globe.
We know some experiences can be expensive … and constantly strive to uncover those precious free (or even paid) opportunities for our members to enjoy.
CAREERS TRAINING
Explore hundreds of career-boosting courses, training-events, Masters Degrees, online courses and much more.
Many of these courses are totally free, and can really boost your employability; helping you to stand out from the crowd.
Plus, get priority access to, and amazing discounts on, workshops and online courses run by Conservation Careers, and our growing selection of Conservation Careers Partners.
SUPPORT COMMUNITY
Get support, ask questions, share experiences, network with like-minded people, and much more in our private Conservation Careers Academy Facebook group.
We’re a global community of conservation job seekers and career switchers, who are here to help you get your career on track.
You’re not alone.
CAREERS CLASSROOM
Join in with our regular live classroom events covering the key elements of finding work in the conservation sector.
Topics include how to apply for a conservation job, the conservation job market, how to choose the right job for you etc.
Missed the classroom? Don’t worry we’ll send you recordings, and you’ll get access to our growing archive of training videos.
CAREER EXPLORER
Want to know which conservation employers are located in your area? Need to know the entry-level requirements for a certain job type? Or perhaps what are the job types within a corner of the industry?
As a Kick-Starter you can explore an-ever growing library of over 20,000 conservation jobs from across the globe. An invaluable tool in your career exploration and planning.
EMPLOYER CONNECT
Showcase your CV or resume in our featured talent pool used by employers and recruiters.
You can also link to your LinkedIn profile for people to find out more and connect with you.
LIVE CHAT
Got a question? Enjoy live chat support from one of our advisers in the Academy.
If we’re offline, we’ll respond via email as quickly as we can.
CAREERS ADVICE
Access hundreds of careers advice articles, interviews, podcasts and more.
You also get our world-famous careers advice newsletter dropped neatly into your inbox each week.
APPLICATION & INTERVIEW SUPPORT
Enjoy special Kick-Starter discounts on all our services such as CV, Resume and Application checking and practice Interviews..
We’ve got your back, and can help you to get hired much quicker.
GET PAID
We know money can be tight as a conservation job seeker. Our packages are really affordable, and as a student you get access to our unique Conservation Careers Affiliate Programme.
This enables you to earn in return for recommending Conservation Careers to your friends. It also provides you discounts to a growing range of partner courses and more.
SPECIAL BONUS | Career-Boosting Guides
Careers Advice Compendium
You’ll get our careers advice uber-guide jam-packed with honest, accurate and useful advice for those seeking to conserve the environment through their work.
It includes top career tips based on interviews with 342 professional conservationists from around the world with over 1,734 combined years of experience.
If you’re hunting for a job, or looking to switch careers into conservation, it’s a must read.
How to apply for a conservation job?
As a kick-Starter you’ll also enjoy our complete guide to producing successful CVs, Resumes and Cover Letters
Whether you’re applying for your first professional experience or shifting careers into conservation, this step-by-step guide will help you write a killer application designed to get you an interview.
Throughout the eBook, you’ll find exercises, tips and links to extra resources. You can work through the guide from beginning to end, or jump to the sections you need most. It also includes CV, Resume and Cover Letter examples for you to learn from (aka copy!)
Who is the course for?
Students
Are you currently at university or college, and planning to try and find work in the conservation sector when you finish?
There’s no better time to start getting clear about your career options than now.
This way you can use the time before you graduate to fill any gaps we identify together, and be ready to hit the ground running on your graduation day.
Job Seekers
Are you currently hunting for a conservation job but struggling? We’ll walk you through the process of how to craft applications that make you stand out from the crowd. We'll teach you our ten-step system for how to create successful applications. We'll also teach you how to impress in conservation interviews (plus how to control nerves...).
Career Switchers
Have you always had a passion for wildlife and want to work in nature conservation, but don’t know where to start? You might be working in a totally unrelated field right now, and need some clarity on what’s needed to get going. We’re here to help you understand the conservation job landscape, where you might fit in (especially with all your lovely transferrable skills) and to help you form a plan of action to make your dream career a reality.
FAQs
The total time commitment is around 15 hours and we’ve worked hard to fast-track your learnings and condense everything into just what you need to know. All shortcuts, no extra fat. You can go entirely at your own pace, and have a year’s access to the units.
You have access to the course videos for the full year of your membership to the site, so you don’t have to do a module a week if it doesn’t suit your schedule for any reason. However, we’ve found it best to try and work through the modules at a similar pace to your course-mates, so you can share your learnings and support one another.
- If you are currently at university or college, and planning to try and find work in the conservation sector when you finish. There’s no better time to start getting clear about your career options than now. This way you can use the time before you graduate to fill any gaps we identify together, and be ready to hit the ground running on your graduation day.
- If you are currently hunting for a conservation job but struggling. We’ll walk you through the process of how to craft applications that make you stand out from the crowd, and how to impress in conservation interviews (plus how to control nerves).
- If you have always had a passion for wildlife and want to work in nature conservation, but don’t know where to start. You might be working in a totally unrelated field right now, and need some clarity on what’s needed to get going. We’re here to help you understand the conservation job landscape, where you might fit in (especially with all your lovely transferrable skills) and to help you form a plan of action to make your dream career a reality.
The regular cost for the course is $395 / £295 / €350, but you can get it now for just $265 / £195 / €230 for a short period should you choose to enroll before the offer expires. That’s 33% off for just five days!
This includes a year’s membership to the Conservation Careers Academy (worth $30 / £40 / €34). If you already have a membership of the site we can cancel your current payments and move you to this new membership.
We believe the course will save you huge amounts of time and money in speeding up your job hunt.
Once you sign up for the Kick-starter you’ll get a confirmation email with full details for how to join the course and access the materials straight away. We’ll hold monthly Zoom live event to answer any questions you might have, and we’re available via email, live chat or in the Facebook Community at any time.
If within 14 days, if you are unhappy for whatever reason just email us and you will receive a full refund.
You can email me directly at nick@conservation-careers.com
We’ve helped some of the biggest names in conservation
How much does it cost?
The regular cost for the course is $395 / £295 / €350 (see here), but you can get it now for just $265 / £195 / €230. That’s 33% off! This includes a year’s membership of the Conservation Careers Academy (worth $30 / £40 / €34), and two eBooks. If you already have a membership of the site we will move you to this new membership. We believe the course will save you huge amounts of time and money and get you hired quicker.
How about a guarantee?
The Conservation Career Kick-Starter comes with a 14-day 100% money-back guarantee.
If within 14 days, if you are unhappy for whatever reason just email us and you will receive a full refund. No questions asked.
How do I get started?
To sign up before the course closes, please choose your currency below.
Special discount ends in …
Our happy customers
Kilian's Story...
How did the course help me? I graduated from my Master’s in Conservation biology from Manchester Metropolitan University in January 2018 and immediately started applying for jobs.
However, despite my best efforts, I wasn’t getting anywhere. I would never get any answers back from my applications and was unable to find good job postings across the web.
Nevertheless, this all changed when I found out about the Conservation Careers Kick-Starter course.
This course was a tremendous eye-opening experience for me. First, it allowed me to take a step back and notice the strength and weaknesses of my CV and to re-evaluate what sector I should be aiming for based on my skills (The course clearly explains the different sectors available today and what is needed to get into them).
I found the course to be tremendously helpful in understanding HOW to apply for jobs and how employers make their decisions when looking at potential applicants.
Additionally, the course does a great job of teaching you how to correctly look for jobs through the web using proven techniques and websites (some of which I had never imagined could have been much help, i.e: twitter!!).
With this new knowledge in mind, I immediately started to find a wealth of potential jobs that were suited to my capabilities and experience.
It doesn’t stop there. I learned how to refine my CV’s and tailor them to individual applications and was thought how to correctly write cover letters, that clearly demonstrated my suitability through examples of my past experiences and achievements. I still can’t believe that all of this wasn’t thought during my time at university.
What has the outcome been? I started the course in April. In the first month of going through the different modules, I had two interviews for potential jobs as a research assistant and project assistant.
I didn’t get the jobs, but it gave me a renewed sense of hope that sooner or later I would land my first job in the conservation/wildlife work sector.
By the end of the month of May, the cover letters I was writing were miles different from the ones I had been doing before starting the course, furthermore, what before had been a tedious task was now something that I was good at and I was now able to write good cover letters rather quickly.
The result of this was that even though my applications weren’t successful, initially, the employers would at least email me back now, telling me I had been seriously considered for the job. I knew I was close.
And finally, at the beginning of the month of June, on the same day, I was offered two full time positions. One as a research assistant in India working on wild otters and another as a wildlife guide and crew member for a company in Scotland. The position in India wasn’t paid but offered the chance to be extended into a full time paid position. I however decided to accept what is currently my new job in Scotland, a paid position.
One of the reasons I went for this one was that I thought it would give me valuable experience in education and tourism, something completely lacking in my CV. Through the course I learned of the importance of gaining specific experience to make you more competitive.
For anyone considering or unsure of joining this Kick-Starter course, I cannot recommend it enough. It will give you inside knowledge as to how the conservation sector works, help you redefine which sector you would be best suited for and what experience to gain, but most importantly, it will help you stand out from the thousands of other applicants.
I can safely say that without this course, I probably would still be working in a pub in Manchester and applying for my dream jobs, unsuccessfully.
I now work in one of the most beautiful places in the west of Scotland, get to see amazing wildlife every day and through that teach and inspire people about the importance of conserving our natural world.
Kilian Hughes – UK
More happy Kick-Starters (conservationists now!)
“I am writing you because I had a direct result because of the Kick-Starter course. I used the training correct my CV and applied I for a job. I quickly had an interview, and I am hired!” Jim Houdkamp, Netherlands.
“I wanted to let you know that FFI offered me the role, and I have accepted. I also got offered a role with the RSPB as well! I wanted to thank you again, as the help you’ve provided through the Kick-Starter – I don’t think I would be in the same situation without it!” Rosie Crawley, UK.
“I got the job with WWF! Thanks a lot for everything. I knew a job, in line with my passion, was out there for me. I knew I needed to look for it. But how to start? Conservation Careers helped me a lot in the process of defining what I was most interested in, what I was qualified for and how to pursue it. The coaching during the Kick-Starter Course gave me focus and a plan. A plan that ultimately led to a job I’ve always dreamed of with WWF!” Naomi Terriere, Bulgaria.
“I particularly want to thank Nick for really giving me the confidence to pursue my dream and could not recommend the Kick-Starter highly enough”. Alexander Liversidge, UK.
“Looks like I’ll be dropping out of the Kick-Starter, but with good reason. I just got offered a year-long contract as a co-ordinator ay an animal rehabilitation centre on Costa Rica, working with Sloths (my favourite animal). Two weeks in and the group already has it’s first success story!” Matt Roland, USA.
“I just wanted to share with you that thanks to the Kick-Starter course … I’ve been offered an internship this summer with the Sea Trust! I don’t’ want to brag (although I am a little because I’m so happy hahaha) but if I can do it, we all can! I really think what we did on the course made such a difference to my application!” Chloe Naan, UK.
“I knew I wanted to work in conservation but felt lost and overwhelmed about how to achieve my goal. Even just starting the course gave me the confidence to start applying for conservation jobs. I was quickly invited to 3 interviews and I now have a conservation job!” Lucy Deans, USA
“I just wanted to thank you for the content, set-up and general friendliness associated to the Kick-Starter course. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and experience of this course and would recommend it to anyone I speak to” Natasha Pulford, South Africa.
“This course really helps you to the next level in the conservation career. For me I was just finishing my Masters and it felt like I was falling into the big deep ocean… Conservation Careers helped me to sit back, think over the simplest goals and values of life, they gave me the practical information on how to take the next step in the conservation career but also gives you the courage and self-confidence to do so. Conservation Careers is so personally involved and are willing to help you with everything you are struggling with. They give you the feeling that you are not alone in this blue big ocean”. Jessica van Mildert.
“Thanks to Conservation Careers, I am currently working for RiverCare and BeachCare, a Keep Britain Tidy project that supports local volunteer teams to conduct regular river and beach cleans and wildlife surveys. I genuinely love the job and couldn’t be more grateful to you for helping me to get it!!” Catherine Holborn, UK.
“Thank you Nick for a great Kick-Starter course. I really learned a lot and have been using all my skills in applications. I got an interview the other week and just found out I got the job as an environmental science educator! Thank you again!” KB, USA.
“For anyone considering or unsure of joining this Kick-Starter course, I cannot recommend it enough. It will give you inside knowledge as to how the conservation sector works, help you redefine which sector you would be best suited for and what experience to gain, but most importantly, it will help you stand out from the thousands of other applicants. I can safely say that without this course, I probably would still be working in a pub in Manchester and applying for my dream jobs, unsuccessfully. I now work in one of the most beautiful places in the west of Scotland, get to see amazing wildlife every day and through that teach and inspire people about the importance of conserving our natural world” Kilian Hughes, Scotland.
“Your advice is great, especially to emphasize what I achieved during my positions and study – such a “duh” moment! It gives my CV much more value :)” Stefanie Roy, Australia.
“Thank you, again, for all your help the last two years, you have really provided me with some great opportunities and I have no doubt this has helped me get into my current role at ZSL.” Emma Ackerley, UK.
“I learnt so much (and really enjoyed doing so) and it has given me a great deal more hope in switching to my dream job, I’d happily recommend this Kick-Starter course to anybody thinking about a career in conservation” Jack Capon, UK.
“The Kick-Starter was the bridge I needed to switch from a career in IT to a career in conservation and I know that I’ll be working in conservation by next year! Thanks to conservation careers for helping me make the right decision for my life!” Maureen Doyle – Ireland.
“Conservation Careers has been such a beacon of hope and opportunity for not only myself but my classmates. I know many of my peers (myself included) consult it regularly, and have had job successes through it. Thank you for providing this service to early career job seekers like us!” Ruby Finlen – Australia.
“Conservation Careers has undoubtedly been the number one resource in my own job search and it does so within what feels like an inclusive community, which is fantastic, especially when you’re job hunting!” Bryn Morgan – England.
“When I saw my dream job come up I knew I couldn’t miss my chance! I decided to get the help and advice from Conservation Careers and, guess what, it paid off: I got the job!” Lise Goudeseune, Brussels.
“This was such a great experience! I’ve received high-quality advice and support! During my application process, I felt as if I have my own team supporting me. Following received guidance, I have learned much more than I would on my own. Total recommendation.” Karolina Kass, Edinburgh.
“I have been extremely happy with the service that Conservation Careers has provided, and I have already managed to a job as a result!” Craig Turley – England.
“Conservation Careers has been a great help as I sought to make a career switch into conservation. And the best thing? With the support and encouragement of the Conservation Careers community, I have now found an exciting job in conservation at WWF!” Karen Sim Clerk – Singapore.
“I’ve worked with Conservation Careers over the past few years and have found them to be supportive in offering students and recent graduates expert advice and information to embark on successful careers in the environment sector”. Richard Carruthers, Careers Consultant – Imperial College London.
“A lot of universities don’t provide this level of specific careers advice, so this training course is perfect.
I was fortunately offered a job at ZSL and will be starting as their Specialist Media Press Officer in under a month!
If that doesn’t provide enough evidence for how fantastic this course is, then I don’t know what does – what’s there to lose?!”
Emma Ackerley, UK
Are you ready?
If you’re serious about becoming a conservationist, why not follow your dreams?
Why not give yourself access to the best resources you can get your hands on?
Why not arm yourself with support, training, and guidance from the industry experts?
And why not give yourself every opportunity to become a professional conservationist?
I'm ready to join!
To sign up please choose your preferred currency below.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, comments or problems please don’t hesitate to get in touch by mail@conservation-careers.com