Vicki (3rd from right) with winners and runners-up of the Gibraltar Point Environmental Art Competition, June 2022.
Careers in Conservation - Education
This National Careers Week we explore the different types of roles available within the charity conservation industry. We chat with Senior Education and Community Officer Vicki Bush, about why she chose to change direction within conservation and the importance of teaching others.
What is your role?
Senior Education and Community Officer at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve.
Did you have a career before conservation, if so what made you decide to change careers?
I switched areas within conservation. I worked as a project scientist organising surveys, collecting baseline data and running training sessions and scholarships to increase local capacity for conservation. I changed to an education role after seeing conservation measures failing in a number of different places. I realised how important it was to give people the opportunity to learn more about our natural environment if we want something for the future.
I changed to an education role after seeing conservation measures failing in a number of different places. I realised how important it was to give people the opportunity to learn more about our natural environment if we want something for the future.
What advice would you give to others who may be currently thinking about making a career change/wanting to enter the conservation industry?
Have a look at what is happening locally to you and try it out. Get in touch and do some volunteering to find out more about what the jobs entail and if it is something you enjoy doing.
What is it about your job that you enjoy the most?
That excitement is when someone discovers something for the first time and wants to share it with you. That moment will stay with them and helps to remind me that what I do matters.
Where is your favourite spot/wild space in Lincolnshire?
A quiet spot on the beach in the winter, you can walk for ages without seeing anyone at all. Being wrapped up from the sea breeze and cold, with the winter light and the sound of the waves.
