Hugo
Science Assistant
Age - 22
Hugo was interested in environmental science, but not having the relevant experience or qualifications meant he was limited in his search for entry level conservation jobs.
In his varied role as a Science Assistant at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Hugo increased his employability and skillset for a continued future in the green sector.
Prior to his New to Nature placement, Hugo was unemployed, having previously worked in social care. Despite enjoying science at school, he had chosen the humanities route and received a university place to study Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion studies. Multiple Covid lockdowns meant that Hugo deferred going to university and instead entered the mental health sector to gain relevant experience.
Three years later – and feeling burnt out – Hugo sought something different. He had taken to applying for administration roles when he found a role at New to Nature. Through this, Hugo was able to reconnect with science and shift his core career resolution to make a positive impact into an environmental one. Training as a Science Assistant, Hugo has achieved just that.
During an average week, he assisted with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a biological recording citizen science project, BeeWalk, both of which involve data handling and opportunities to learn new skills in science communications and volunteer management. Although an analytic individual, Hugo was unfamiliar with this data analysis and mapping beforehand. Hugo’s lack of experience didn’t hold him back during his New to Nature traineeship.
“New to Nature focused on bringing more diversity into the sector, more young people, more neurodivergent people, more people of colour, etc. I do think that that is important because it is something that the sector is lacking. I think it’s only going to be enriched if people are offered that opportunity.”
Hugo was also involved beyond his role, joining some internal working groups at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust that focus on climate, sustainability, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. His wellbeing benefitted from the peer-to-peer networking groups for neurodivergent trainees, where they shared experiences and were supported in a new sector and working environment. Along with the organisational support, having a baseline job in the sector gave Hugo an added confidence boost.
Whilst Hugo doesn’t have a certain career in mind, he hopes to use the placement to get more employability within the sector, having struggled to find similar work previously. His Groundwork employment coach has helped him build on skills he already possesses, with the goal of having a more complete skillset for the future.
Hugo said:
“It’s difficult to choose what I enjoy the most! I think bees are so cool and they’re really important to our ecosystem, so I really like feeling that I am contributing quite directly to helping the bees. I also really like being able to reconnect with science after not having done any scientific learning for a while.
“I haven’t studied any sciences since I was doing my GCSE, so I did want to move more towards working in environmental science roles but it’s not really an option when you don’t have any of the knowledge base.
“I really liked the application process. I found it accommodated me without me having to ask and it was clear that the expressed desire to hire people from diverse backgrounds was not just a hollow statement, but that New to Nature and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust were proactive about addressing needs people might have.”
