Students seeking a career in wildlife or environment conservation and organisations seeking those with the skills needed to help the sector move forward will be brought together at a special event at the University of Aberdeen.
Students seeking a career in wildlife or environment conservation and organisations seeking those with the skills needed to help the sector move forward will be brought together at a special event at the University of Aberdeen.
A wide-range of organisations including Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and National Trust for Scotland will be represented at the largest careers showcase of its kind to take place in the University’s Zoology Building.
Hosted by the School of Biological Sciences, the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and the University’s Careers Service, the event will take place from 5.15pm to 8pm on Tuesday January 27 where those attending can hear from speakers from organisations such as the Forestry Commission, EnviroCentre and Aberdeen City Council’s Environmental Department. Other employers and organisations attending the event include NESBRec, the RSPB, LBAP and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshirehire Countryside Rangers.
Janice Montgomery from the University of Aberdeen Career’s Service said: “This is a great opportunity for employers and students to come together to provide information not only on the range of careers open to students from the School of Biological Sciences but also on the kinds of experience and skills being sought by employers in these sectors. It offers a wonderful opportunity for students to network with representatives from organisations which can provide them with the voluntary experience they require to succeed in gaining long term employment. The showcase will provide students with an opportunity to hear from a cross-section of employers on the same evening while employers can meet talented and enthusiastic students keen to embark on careers in the biological sciences.”
Steve McMellor from the School of Biological Sciences added: “While it is well established that it is the University’s role to provide students with the theoretical knowledge to gain employment in their chosen field, both highlighting and giving access to employability and career development opportunities is increasingly part of the institution’s role to ensure our graduates are successful in the jobs market. Engaging with professional bodies such as CIEEM allows students to make the connection between their studies and roles in the real world, as well as introducing them to the opportunity to gain vital experience to boost their own career and increase their employability.”
The event forms part of the University’s strategy to support the long-term employability of its students and is one of a range of sector-specific events which will be organised throughout the year. Douglas Blease (Envirocentre) made it clear that these events are as important to organisations as they are to students. He said: “It gives us the chance to gather what is of importance to new-entrants into the profession and to keep in touch with the particular courses which are outputting students into the world of work”.
Elaine Anderson of the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management explained their enthusiasm for engaging with the student body through events such as this: “I think it’s so very important that students gain an understanding of the variety of roles and what they entail as early in their university degree as they can so they can 'try before they buy' so to speak. If students can learn about different roles and make personal contact with different people from different careers to get a taste for the variety of roles out there I think it all helps in them being able to move towards the career they desire.”
The event is open to all staff and students in the School of Biological Sciences. For more information contact j.montgomery@abdn.ac.uk or steve.mcmellor@abdn.ac.uk