The Environmental Leaders Programme is an initiative from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-SA) to support the development of young graduates, like myself, in the environmental sector. There is an identified gap between the academic sector and the work sector; that is, students often have the knowledge of a particular job but not the skills/experience, or supervisors do not have the time to teach entry-level work, and this programme aims to bridge that gap. WWF-SA, together with the help from other partners, provide this internship programme to students and/or recent graduates in an effort for these future environmental leaders to gain work experience before entering the ‘real’ workplace. Interns are placed by WWF-SA in a particular organisation which will provide the necessary experience, and help them develop the required skills for the workplace. During the period between 1 to 1 and a half years, interns in most parts of South Africa are provided with the opportunity to be part of and contribute to the country’s biodiversity through this programme.
I am an MSc graduate-level intern, part of this programme, placed with the Nature’s Valley Trust, which is one of the organisations hosting WWF-SA interns. My role as a Research Intern has allowed me the opportunity to be involved in environmental research, conservation and water management, as well as in environmentally educating the youth through my involvement with NVT’s environmental education program. The internship also included a series of workshops run by WWF that enabled support from other interns, together with a capacity development-orientated structure of your internship from the organisers. During these workshops I became empowered with who I am in this field, and why am I in this field, as well as being enlightened on ‘The Bigger Picture’ in the environment sector. Through these workshops, I’ve made friends, built communication networks and have a support system within the sector. The workshops have allowed me some sort of direction towards my chosen career path, giving me the chance to envision what it is you see yourself doing, for example, in 5 years. My most significant moment in these workshops was when we did activities that display dynamics in the workplace. This was one of those ‘aha’ moments where I realised that whether it be fellow interns, colleagues, bosses or other organisations I am interacting with; we are after the same thing…we all have a common goal which is monitoring and protecting the environment and that we can do a whole lot more for this environment with better communications, working together and building partnerships.
Landing this internship was a great opportunity for me as a graduate; it has thus far given me exposure to the work environment, working for the environment. I’ve had quite the experience in the 10 months that I’ve been with NVT. I’ve had the chance to run the Rivers research project and although it is still in its initial stages, I’m feeling very enthusiastic about it. It feels good to be part of something that will allow conservation management on the ecology of the area. I’m also coordinating an estuarine research project monitoring the distribution of the alien invasive Mosquito Fish in the Groot River estuary.
I’ve also been involved in bird ringing as part of the Tsitsikamma Fynbos Research project. This was a new experience for me as I’d never handled a bird before this internship, and this experience goes as far as me having a raptor in my hands which was a spectacular experience. I’ve been exposed to great opportunities including professional communication in the form of meetings, engaging with stakeholders, conference attendance, and community projects. Participating in the education programmes has shown me that conservation is more people-orientated than I originally thought. The chance to involve communities and school learners in environmental management has been a rewarding experience in many ways.
This internship has given me exposure to the working dynamics within an organisation, and environmental management issues as well as meeting and interacting with people whom I can say have definitely had an insightful impact on my life. This opportunity has been a bridge for my future career, it has allowed me the chance to grow both as a person and a ‘‘professional’’. The internship as a whole in fact has been more than just getting work experience; it has become ‘mother nature’ in the sense that it is guiding me as a person towards my environmental career.
Last week saw the final WWF-SA workshop, held in Cape Town. On Thursday we met just as interns to cover topics such as careers in biodiversity, job search tips and guidance, our dream jobs, as well as pointers on how to adjust to your first job after the internship. On Friday we had a combined mentor-intern workshop drawing together our combined experiences as a team. For a few of the current crop of interns, this signals the end of their internship, as their contracts end at the end of March and we are sad to see them go. However, some of us, like me, get to continue this amazing journey of discovery and experience until the end of September. I can’t wait to see what the last 7.5 months of my internship have in store for me!