Conservation Careers

Like many conservationists, we spend most of our time focused on supporting people and the planet, and we rarely pause to celebrate our successes along the way.

That’s why we’re dedicating this post to celebrating our achievements from 2024!

We are incredibly proud of what we, as a team, along with our partners and global community, have accomplished this year.

In 2024, Conservation Careers helped over 769,000 people worldwide with advice, training and support across 233 countries and territories. We celebrated the launch of three innovative training programs, supported 447 conservationists through upskilling, and grew our CC Pro community with new opportunities for career growth and well-being.

From launching the MSc in Conservation Project Management to unveiling new advanced training programs and a professional development initiative, we’ve made strides in empowering conservationists globally.

2024 in numbers

We helped over 769,000 people globally with our latest advice, training and support, from across 233 countries and territories.

• Total audience – 769,000 across all channels
• Social media audience – 242,000 followers
• All time jobs posted – 73,976 jobs
• Members – 1,709 joined our CC Academy
• Conservationists trained – 447 upskilled
• Interviews – 35 published
• Conservation Careers team – 35
• Podcast episodes – 23 published
• NEW training programmes – 3 launched 
• Webinars – 4 free webinars run
• Ultimate Guides – 3 published

To find out how we’ve grown, check out our Highlights from 2022, 2021 and 2020!

Highlights

NEW | MSc Conservation Project Management

In 2024 we were excited to launch a totally new Master’s programme alongside Newquay University Centre.

The MSc Conservation Project Management follows Conservation Careers‘ own training resources and careers guidance, and is structured around the three core principles of project management, communications and funding for conservation. 

Conservation Careers have been integral to the design of this programme, helping students to develop the appropriate skills identified through in-depth analysis of the conservation jobs market. In addition to the full MSc, a Post graduate Diploma (PGDip) or Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) route will also be offered.

Students have full access to Conservation Career Kick-Starter course and largest online conservation job board through Conservation Careers. Working with expert instructors, students produce a professional development plan and access professional training that meets their bespoke career development needs.

Learn more

NEW | Communications Strategy Development for Conservation Projects

In 2024, we were excited to launch a new Communications Strategy Development for Conservation Projects advanced training programme. 

Taught by communications expert Lloyd Gofton, participants are learning how to confidently develop a communications strategy, from the initial brief to the final campaign plan.

During the course you’ll learn how to:

• Develop a communications strategy. Follow a clear model to build a solid strategy foundation.
• Research the situation. Use workshopping to gather insights that shape your approach.
• Identify key audiences. Analyse and segment audiences to understand their needs.
• Develop and target messaging. Craft compelling messages tailored to each audience. 
• Create a communications plan. Design a plan with clear goals, channels, and success metrics.
• Complete a living communications strategy. Combine all elements into a flexible, evolving strategy.

Learn more

NEW | Conservation Professional Development Programme

In 2024, we launched the first public cohort of the Conservation Professional Development Programme; a totally new coaching programme proven to significantly improve the wellbeing, impact and career direction of conservation professionals. 

The programme is targeted towards early and mid-career conservation professionals from across the globe. All staff from within a conservation organisation – including support staff – were encouraged to apply for a place.

The programme includes a mix of 1:1 coaching, group coaching, self-paced online study and community support. Nine amazing professional conservationists completed the programme in December, and we’re looking forward to launching again in 2025.

Learn more

CC Pro Community

We had fun supporting a growing community in their career development through CC Pro.

• Pro Chats – 20 leading conservationists answered live questions from our community, including some of the most senior and influential conservationists of our time. 
• Mini Trainings – we launched 10 new mini training courses, covering topics from job applications, confidence and mindset to switching careers, networking, internships and more.
• Wellbeing – our community enjoyed 40 simple wellbeing activities, helping people to find more balance in their work and lives.  
• Coaching Corner – we shared 8 thought-provoking questions or mini exercises to help our community members discover their full personal and professional potential.
• Success stories – we shared 28 community success story compilations to inspire and motivate people. These included people landing their dream jobs, receiving conservation awards, getting interviews and many more.

Learn more or join our CC Pro community.

Webinars & Live Training Events

We had fun running four webinars where we discussed popular topics and answered top questions. Check out this year’s webinar recordings:

1. How to get conservation experience
2. How to become competitive for conservation jobs
3. Five things stopping you from becoming a conservationist in 2024
4. How to harness the power of communications in your career!

Watch our webinar recordings.

Conservation Careers Podcast

The Conservation Careers Podcast is almost seven years old and we’ve published 132 episodes and counting!

In 2024 we enjoyed a new format to the podcast where we invited members from within our CC Pro community to sit in the audience of the recording, and to ask their own questions at the end. It’s fast becoming a great way to connect our community with some of the most influential conservationists on the planet. 

We also spoke to conservation leaders who shared their insights and advice:

1. From campaigning to chairing: Tony Juniper’s journey in nature conservation
2. The power of trees: Sir William Worsley on conservation, climate and careers in forestry
3. Leading Europe’s biggest conservation charity | Beccy Speight
4. The importance of community in our careers
5. Snakes, rainforests and rock ‘n’ roll | Romulus Whitaker
6. The role of media in modern conservation | David Mizejewski
7. Inspiring young conservation leaders | Becky Park
8. Exploring the human side of conservation practice | Dr Laura Thomas-Walters
9. From Navy to conservation diversity leader | Taurean Meacham
10. Dr Stephen Green | Course Leader MSc Conservation Project Management
11. The power of words in wildlife conservation | Jon Monsoon
12. From bartender to Gorilla guardian | Greg Cummings
13. Switching careers from IT to conservation | Clare Roberts
14. The Importance of Communications for Conservationists
15. Connecting to conservation from the corporate sector | Raoul Bollen
16. Navigating conservation challenges in Africa | Ademola Ajagbe
17. Cristianne Close | Deputy Global Conservation Director WWF International
18. Dr Carrie Goucher | How to stop wasting precious time in mediocre meetings!
19. How to plan for a gap year or career break? Julia Rogers | EnRoute Consulting
20. Biodiversify-ing businesses and beyond with Michael Burgass (Director of Biodiversify)
21. Lise Aangeenbrug | Chief Program Officer at the National Park Foundation
22. Patience Thody | Deputy Chief Executive The Wildlife Trusts
23. Burnout in conservation

Listen to our podcast.

Ultimate Guides | In-depth resources for conservationists

This year we published three new ultimate guides that distill all of our experience and the advice from professional conservationists into question-by-question guides to help fast-track your career.

1. How to become a zoologist
2. How to become an ornithologist
3. How to become a primatologist

Explore all our Ultimate Guides or download a copy of our guides to read later!

Sharing the latest careers advice

We published a staggering 35 interviews on Conservation Careers this year, thanks to our talented team of Conservation Careers Bloggers.

1. Join the revolution! With Rhino Revolution’s lawyer-turned-conservationist Sophie Barrett
2. From corporate to conservation: how diverse experiences can lead to your dream job
3. Conservation tech: Finding footing in a new landscape
4. From oil and gas to Mountain Chicken Frogs: Dhanushri Munasinghe’s route to conservation
5. Navigating the intersection of literature, conservation and fundraising
6. Turning pixels into purpose | How Josh Dykgraaf uses art to inspire conservation
7. How to work in Pangolin conservation with Kelsey Prediger
8. Extreme conservation: Dr Sandra Lai’s mission to safeguard nature’s last frontiers
9. Shark fin supernova: Hong Kong’s response to a global crisis
10. Unveiling the mysteries of the Ethiopian Wolf: An in-depth look at Dr. Sandra Lai’s expedition into the heart of conservation
11. From washing machines to workshops: A scientist’s quest to save Singapore’s reefs
12. How to Sing Like a Gibbon: Using literature to inspire the next generation of conservationists
13. Playing for the development team: Career advice from Gui Proença, nonprofit fundraiser
14. Supporting the voice of young people in conservation| A Q&A with Head of Youth Engagement at WWF-UK
15. From molecular biology to wildlife conservation – with career switcher Rebecca Porter
16. Tips for walking your own path in wildlife conservation with Kayla Zoon
17. Taking care of your mental health as a conservationist with Brittany Sawrey-Coulson
18. The next generation of naturalists and conservationists | A Q&A with WWF-UK’s Youth Ambassadors
19. Promoting diversity, equality and inclusion in wildlife conservation with Lauren Pharr
20. Navigating life as a lonely conservationist with Jessie Panazzolo
21. Biocultural diversity, the “new normal” in conservation: an interview with Chang Norman Liu, Terralingua’s Blog Editor
22. A rising voice for the ocean: exploring the role of an ocean economist with Kaija Barisa
23. How a miniature monkey is changing Northern Colombia’s relationship with nature
24. The power of hope – Transforming the world one story at a time
25. From British bugs to biosecurity down under
26. Communicating conservation – Double life or delicate dance?
27. ‘Giving back to Nature’: A conversation with Helen Neave, co-founder of ‘Make it Wild’
28. Inspiring urban conservation through social media | A Q&A with wildlife influencer Lirayen Valencia
29. Restoring Paradise: Revitalising Indonesia’s ecosystems and Indigenous community
30. 3 tips you need to know before starting a career in conservation education
31. The fight to protect maned wolves in Brazil’s disappearing Cerrado: An interview with Bárbara do Couto Peret Dias from Onçafari
32. Empowering indigenous communities to save mountain gorillas
33. Working together to fight species extinction | An interview with Asian Species Action Partnership
34. The corporate side of conservation
35. Riding the waves of knowledge: A conversation with Frances Lang on education and marine conservation

Read the latest interviews, or learn more about becoming a Conservation Careers Blogger.

Supporting conservationists 1:1

We supported 30 conservationists this year through 1:1 career coaching, application reviews and interview preparation.

Their collective achievements range from landing interviews and jobs, to creating new jobs, to empowerment, career direction, confidence and freedom.

“I have been hired for my first job out of college: studying salamanders for the Salamander Population & Adaptation Research Collaboration Network. This was a dream job for me and I am so thankful to the training and advice I’ve received on CC for helping me.” – Sophia, USA.

“It is extremely enlightening and freeing. It guided me in new directions and gave me deeper direction and understanding of myself that has bled positively into all aspects of my life.” – Devin, USA.

“I now feel more equipped and inspired than ever to pursue my career aspirations in conservation.” – Leah, UK/Ireland.

Huge thanks

We wish to send a huge thanks to the following people for their support in 2024.

Anne Mauro, April Wakefield, Caroline Fitzgerald, Cheryl Azzopardi, Claire Tyrrell, Clare Roberts, Cynthia Dewi, Diana Gaffney, Eden Plummer, Eliza Pricilia Purba, Emily Fyfe, Felix Cybulla, Fernando Mateos-González, Freya Brodrick, Giuliana Vomero, Jasmine Santilhano, Jamie Quartuccio, Jayna Connelly, Junkai Zhang, Karen Langley, Kate Evans, Laura Hayter, Lloyd Gofton, Luke Clark, Maisie Wilkinson, Marije Meijer, Maya de Paz, Miolyka Popovich, Nancy Mwangi, Pauline, Rahayu Adinda, Rosie Dowsett, Sharmaine Salas, Stacey Gibson, Stephanie Nicolaides, Susie Stockwell. You’re all amazing.

 

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