During my first year I was the Biodiversity Intern
for Transition St Andrews. This was a new position at the time and involved
doing researching and reporting on biodiversity-related projects other
Transition groups were doing across the world and helping coordinate
biodiversity surveys on campus.
Between my 1st and 2nd year I
spent the summer (May-Sep) interning with CIMA Research Foundation in Italy as
a Marine Mammal Observer. I worked on a research vessel in the Mediterranean
collecting data on whale and dolphin species and helping with data entry and
processing. This was an unpaid position that I funded myself.
Between my 2nd and 3rd year I
worked for Projeto TAMAR – a turtle conservation NGO in Brazil. I worked with
public outreach, educational awareness campaigns, population monitoring and
turtle rehabilitation. I managed to get some funding to cover my travel
expenses by becoming a Rector’s scholar and obtaining an Inspire grant from
Equate Scotland.
In the summer between my 3rd and 4th
year I volunteered at the Red Cross Nordic United World College Summer School,
where I helped coordinate extra-curricular activities. Although this was not
biology related, it helped further strengthen my communication and leadership
skills.
I was looking for conservation-related jobs worldwide, using
relevant websites and resources provided by the University of St Andrews
Careers Centre. I applied for many different roles (often with the same
organisations) and was called to quite a few interviews. Although this was good
practice, it was frustrating to constantly get positive feedback but be told
that I did not have enough relevant experience. But I just kept applying for
things (even if I thought I wouldn’t get them) and eventually I found a perfect
match! | 
