I am in my 30s and am seriously fed up with my current career. I am and always have been interested in wildlife and conservation. I am considering a return to university to study Zoology as a mature student. Before I do I would like to take a year out and I was hoping to go abroad and volunteer on a wildlife/conservation project. However, giving a year of my time, free of charge, doesn't seem enough thesedays. The only volunteer programs I can find are charging silly money for short placements. So my question is this; Is there anywhere or any organisation in the world where I can volunteer to work with wildlife or on a conservation project without paying for the privilage? I am happy to support myself but thesedays it seems you have to be a spoilt little rich kid to help save the planet. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
2007-01-08 17:04:35 · 2 answers · asked by Paul C 1 in Environment
Come to Australia. I find it disgusting that some places want to charge you for volunteering your time to help. I am a volunteer wildlife rescue shelter and there are people just like me all over the country who do not get paid. I am sure at the moment you could assist in the rescue after the present bushfires that is devastating my state of Victoria at the moment. If you want any further info, feel free to email me. And congratulations for making the choice of returning to uni as a mature student to study, that shows commitment already!
2007-01-08 21:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by nativeparadise 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
hhhmmm I understand your passion but it really isn't as easy as u seem to think it is getting work in this field, even with a degree. I was in exactly the same position as u are. I got to age 30, took a degree in Ecology which i completed with a first in 2003. Its now 2007 and I still haven't found a job. Its VERY depressing, the competition is fierce for this kind of work. i worked as a part time zoo keeper for a while but wasn't happy in that environment but since then......nothing. I have to work part-time in a library, and now 36 and still not doing the job I dreamed of. I don't really know where to go from here, except get a Msc, which may still not help me. II do volunteer in a wildlife rescue centre which is rewarding, but it is not furthering my career in any way, i have it as a hobby. find your attitude commendable but u must also live in the real world too
2007-01-08 22:50:55 · answer #2 · answered by Serry's mum 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋