Some conservation organisations publish leaflets or information packs on careers in conservation. Find out which have such publications in print (don’t forget to send a stamped addressed envelope). There are also many books on the subject. Here are a few worth reading: Working with the Environment, by Tim Ryder; Careers in Environmental Conservation, by Vivien Donald, Kogan Page 1992 (5th edition); and The Environmental Careers Handbook, Trotman & Company 1993. There are many others – so check with your local library.

Alternatively, if you’re merely looking for inspiration, there’s an excellent book called Do What You Love... The Money Will Follow (by Marsha Sinetar, Dell Publishing 1987), which is well worth a read.

Visit the Conservation Foundation website (see the LINKS page on this website for a direct link) and use this as a starting point to access a huge number of key websites with wildlife, conservation and environmental jobs around the world. If you are based in the UK, environmental jobs are advertised in The Guardian and The Independent (only on specific days of the week) and in journals such as New Scientist and Nature. Administrative and more junior posts are often advertised in the regional press.

If you write to conservation organisations, research institutes or individuals already working in your chosen field, please remember that they have limited resources – yours will be just one of many, similar letters they receive on a regular basis. Help them by enclosing a SAE for the reply, and do your research before writing to make sure you don’t waste their time unnecessarily.