Esther - "Practical experience helped me develop skills"

Esther Rumsey's career path to doing a science and engagement internship at the BTO. Esther talks about her experience of volunteering and how not going to university was the right choice for her.

Current Job

Tell us about your current role     line drawing of a location pin

I am currently completing a science and engagement internship at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

Career Beginnings

When you were 15, what job did you want and who did you ask for advice?

I'm not sure I knew exactly what I wanted to do other that be able to benefit nature in some way. I also wanted to do something creative. I knew a couple of Reserve Wardens through volunteering who I would chat to and a friend older than me who had become a freelance artist.

Did you have an interest in the environment at this time?

I definitely did have an interest in the environment.

What were your first steps in starting your career?                                                                                     

I have volunteered a lot, doing practical conservation, bird surveys and sat on the Youth Advisory Panel for the BTO.


 

A dipper, a small brown bird with a white breast, is standing on the edge of the water in front of a mossy rock. The reflection in the water is very clear

Career path and skills

What does your career path look like?     line drawing of a walker with a backpack at a sign. a dotted arrow from the sign points back the way they came from

I am not very far down my career path yet. However, volunteering has definitely given me connections and opportunities that have helped me get this far. I feel my path has been non-linear in the sense I have not been to uni but got a job surveying and have now started an internship with the same charity. This practical experience has really helped me develop skills and grow and I think it is down to my volunteering experience that I was confident enough to apply and get these opportunities. It has proven to me that I did not need to go to uni to be able to get these opportunities. It is a pain that young people and people early on in their career may have to do a lot of volunteering to get anywhere, and I am always hesitant to suggest it as necessary. But it has definitely helped me along my way and also been really valuable experiences to me personally and professionally.

What skills were important for you to develop in your career?     line drawing of a spanner

Time keeping and organisation has been really important for me to develop, as well as clear and helpful communication, both with colleagues and people outside of the organisation. It has also been really important to me to simply grow my confidence through opportunities and independence through trying new things.

If I could do anything in the environmental sector...

...I would love to be able to work as part of a community project that encompasses creativity, community, learning and working with the land and nature.

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