Careers in conservation
Are you interested to learn more about careers in conservation?
In 2024, we started a series of Instagram Live events on the Youth For Lions platform, called Wild Careers. The idea behind this monthly series is to encourage young people to pursue wild activities and careers as opposed to captive ones. So far the event has been a wonderful success with monthly informal interviews with some fascinating conservationists.
Our interviews have provided a fascinating and engaging means of speaking with conservationists making a positive impact in the world of conservation and highlights the multitude of ways in which young people can become conservationists themselves.
so please do feel free to catch up on some of these incredible interviews we have had so far!
Meet Leigh
Meet Dr Nkabeng Mzileni
During our Instagram Live with her, she shared how she became a field guide and what was involved to get to where she is today.
Her story reminds us that there are so many different and exciting ways to enter the conservation and wildlife industry.
Meet James
James Hendry, a wildlife TV presenter, host and producer from WildEarth TV chatted with us earlier this year on our Careers in Conservation Instagram Live. He demonstrated how creatives can make a significant impact in the conservation industry in unique and exciting ways. He discussed the thrills of wildlife guiding, what it takes to work in the field, and the importance of connecting people with the wild through authentic storytelling.
Meet Alexandra
Our first interviewee this year was Alexandra Howard, a PHD candidate at the University of the Freestate in the Department of Entomology and Zoology. Specialising in studying bats, she shared her story of how she got to where she is and the opportunities she’s had within the conservation sector to work with such a vital species.
Meet Brooke
Brooke Mitchell is a Conservation Biologist, Explorer, and Storyteller
Brooke was raised in the rolling hills of southern Ohio and holds degrees in Zoology and Biology. She transitioned from conservation nonprofits to adventure travel, exploring wildlife phenomena worldwide. In 2021, she launched the Rewildology Podcast, discussing conservation, travel, and rewilding with global experts. Brooke also produces Natural Habitat Adventures’ Daily Dose of Nature and previously served as Director of Conservation for The Wild Source.
Meet Jacqueline
Jacqueline Edwardes, a Priority Species Monitor for Wildlife ACT. In her third year of Zoology at Rhodes University, Jacqueline did a project on how young elephants learn the social structure of their herds at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Through observing the gentle giants of the African bush, she was inspired to work in conservation and wildlife research. At Wildlife ACT she is a Priority Species Monitor at Manyoni, learning new skills about conservation and wildlife monitoring, while being surrounded by like-minded people.
Meet Arno
Arno from Nkonzo Wildlife Research talks about what it’s like to do tracking, field guiding, game lodge management, and conservation work in some of South Africa’s wild spaces. Arno is owner and director of Nkonzo Wildlife and maintains continuous experience of nearly 20 years in various fields including anti-poaching, wildlife management, guiding, overlanding, and working in different capacities throughout southern and eastern Africa. Hop on Instagram to learn more about Arno’s exciting conservation work, and what it entails to enter a field like his.
