How curiosity, experience and an openness to different paths can help you build a fulfilling career in conservation, with wildlife conservationist Iris de Winter.
What does a career in conservation actually look like?
For some people, there isn't one simple answer. You might be a scientist, lecturer, conservation practitioner and nature guide - combining different roles into a career that's uniquely your own.
Today's guest is Iris de Winter, an Assistant Professor in Wildlife Conservation at Utrecht University and Director of the Apenheul Primate Conservation Trust. She's also a nature guide, leading wildlife and conservation-focused trips to places including Madagascar and Uganda.
In this episode, we explore Iris's fascinating career journey - from an early interest in marine conservation and research on green turtles, through to studying lemurs in Madagascar and ultimately shifting her focus from understanding conservation problems to helping solve them.
We also explore what Iris has learnt from teaching the next generation of conservationists, the skills and qualities she sees in successful students, and why careers don't need to follow a perfectly linear path. We discuss the importance of curiosity, cultural sensitivity, collaboration, gaining experience and building a strong reputation in what is ultimately a very small conservation world.
And we discover another fascinating conservation career path - nature guiding - including how Iris turned her love of wildlife and travel into opportunities to lead conservation-focused trips around the world.
It's a conservation science, career exploration and wildlife adventure podcast.
Enjoy.
