Stephanie
Volunteer Engagement Officer
Age - 23
Stephanie knew she wanted to begin a career in the environmental sector after completing her Zoology degree in 2022. Getting her start at the Bat Conservation Trust, through the New to Nature programme, Stephanie now wants to make a career in the sector accessible to more people.
After graduating, Stephanie faced a common barrier young people face when trying to break into the environmental sector - needing experience to get experience.
Starting her New to Nature placement helped to change that. As the Volunteer Engagement Officer, Stephanie got to support with bat walks, connect with local communities and organisations, help with admin tasks and try out creative jobs like producing social media content.
By the end of the placement, Stephanie had gained a range of skills and experience to leave feeling confident in her ability to pursue a career in the environmental sector.
Coming from a South Asian background, Stephanie has ambitions to improve diversity in the sector and ensure her community and others that are underrepresented are able to have their voices heard. Her experience on the New to Nature programme has brought her closer to these ambitions, equipping her with the tools to make meaningful change in the sector.
“I’d like to have a career in the environmental sector. I want to get more people from my own background or people who might be singled out from society into the environmental sector as well.”
New to Nature is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation, delivered through a partnership of Groundwork, The King’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, Mission Diverse and the Youth Environmental Service.
