Good Grades And Experience Are Worthless (Nature Jobs, Science, Humanities)

At the age of 21, I started studying for a two-year Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management, for which I achieved the highest grade. After, I completed a BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation with a first. I then struggled to get work in ecological consultancy during the pandemic. I've held only two jobs in ecology, both of which were short and not ideal, not least because they were low pay and zero hour. I didn't want to go for ranger work because, although I have a lot of practical experience, it just wasn't for me, and I wanted to put my more scientific and technical skills to use. For a while I tried to continue with ecological consultancy, but I was discontented with the field for many reasons, even at the start of my career. After a long period of job searching, I managed to land a short editing job for MDPI science journals in an effort to move further into writing since I've always been a writer. I then made the decision to write a long thesis for an MA Res English Literature, which received a Distinction and an award. In all, I have experience that ranges from practical countryside management to scientific report writing and data analysis to extensive humanities research undertaken independently. My reward for all of my effort is that I'm now on benefits at thirty years old. I'm desperately applying for jobs related to editing and communication in the environmental sector and being rejected by every one of them.

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Ecological consultancy: I don't wish to work in this field anymore and I no longer have the technical skills and knowledge to perform well as I've moved in a different direction. No one would pick me over someone with an MSc in ecology anyway.

Rangering: I have practical experience, but I don't want to do manual labour and haven't done it for a long time. I wouldn't be able to get a ranger job now, especially not with my current skillset and goals.

Editing/communication/research: Apparently, two degrees, published writing and professional editing experience, and social media engagement all mean nothing. The issue here as well is that most jobs in this field are bent toward marketing and SEO. I don’t have experience or even an interest in any of this. All I know is that I want to edit/research for some kind of nature-based NGO but also avoid the overt focus on social media, advertising, marketing, etc. Now that I think about it, why would anyone pick me over someone with a Masters in marketing or journalism?

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Most environmental jobs are oriented towards science and therefore will revolve around habitats/species surveying, data analysis, GIS, require CIEEM membership, etc. I’ve moved away from all of this and, honestly, barely started with it in the first place despite my five years studying ecology. I don’t have an education background, so I can’t get a job focused on nature engagement with young people. Any writing job, say working in policy, is also going to focus on science and feature approaches I don’t even agree with, e.g. ‘nature-based solutions’ and ‘ecosystem services’. I don’t know what to do. I’m completely at a loss. In fact, I feel useless and have ended up in the cliché position of a humanities student with no skills. Well, I have skills and knowledge in relation to ecology, but, again, no one would pick me over someone with higher qualifications and/or has more job experience in the area. However, shouldn't I be able to get a damn job with my amount of qualifications and experiences? Apparently not. I’m just endlessly scrolling through job websites and my eyes are glazing over because I keep landing on roles like ‘shop assistant’ and ‘data entry clerk’. It’s as if I’m a young teenager again and have made no progress.

I'm probably going to have to do a PhD studentship to get at least some kind of wage and to feel a sense of progress despite the fact that I decided against it after many people said it wasn't a good idea.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

muledeer78

I can see this was two months ago, so I hope you've found something. If it makes you feel better, my friend graduated with a distinction in MSc Biology, and it still took her about 6 months to find a job. She's a research assistant now at a University, she enjoys it. I'm pretty sure she'll be able to move up with more time. My other friend graduated with a first in a computing BSc, and it also took him 8 months. It must feel really bad to still struggle even though you're highly qualified, but I guess you're still 'new' to employers.

Reply 2

carlabibi

Hi Taylor, it seems that your situation is quite similar to mine and although I don't have any specific solutions I hope this helps you feel that you're not the only one. So here's a summary of my story.

I graduated in Psychology over 10 years ago in Italy, moved to the UK to do my MSc in Applied Social Psychology. After which I decided that I did not want to do a Phd as I felt my research skills were not good enough and did not enjoy stats, also the fact that English was not my first language did not help my confidence. I hate that my low confidence in my language abilities prevented me from being ambitious back then.

So I ended up taking all sorts of random jobs throughout the years, as I soon found out that my Masters without a Phd did not lead to any particular career. I was completely at loss as to what to do. Ended up working in retail, then market research for a bit but I hated it, then as social media manager for an eco brand. Had to give up the last job as my mother was very ill and wanted to spend some time with her in Italy. Shortly after I left the job, she passed away and the pandemic struck. I was jobless, grieving in lockdown, and on universal credit. Took some time to focus on my hobbies and I thought, maybe I should start a business? I started selling my handwoven textiles online for a while but found it really difficult to make it work financially.

In 2021 I decided to go back to uni and do a BSc in Animal Behaviour and Conservation but could not afford to finish it (as I am not eligible for loans, only for phd level loans) so exited with a CertHe and moved to a new town. Found it hard to gain experience in the conservation field without doing a uni placement, and I could not apply for internships as they usually require you to be in education. I was also competing with people way more qualified than me so I lost hope after a bit.

Fast forward to now and I am working as a support worker in a supported living setting for people with learning disabilities. Did I need a degree to do this job? Hell no. I could have done this job with no qualifications at all but I had to lower my standards as I needed some income asap.

I am thinking how to move forward from this point. Working in a mental health career was never my goal but there are so many more opportunities in it compared to social research. My advice would be to think creatively about how you can get where you want to be. Do you need more volunteering experience perhaps? Or maybe more focus in identifying your target role and the specific skills you need. For example, is it a data analyst role for an environmental NGO you're looking for, or a policy and research role? Is it an education role perhaps? The more specific you are the better.

I agree with you that it should not be that hard to get a job in your field after studying so much but here we are. I truly believe all employers want is experience, qualifications come second.

I am also thinking that perhaps a Phd is not such a bad idea, but having been out of education for a few years I am not sure I'd be able to get one. Like you, I am scared I will regret my decision as many people advise against it. Alternatively I am considering whether I could potentially apply for an apprenticeship in policy or research? Perhaps that could be something to think about as you gain some real work experience.

At the end of the day it all depends on where you want to get to. If you really enjoy research then probably a funded phd is not such bad idea. You are academically good and that is your strenght.

Maybe this wasn't much help but I really hope it made you feel less lonely in your struggles! Feel free to send me a dm if you want to chat