Graduates of the MSc in Conservation Science and Practice are ideally placed to gain employment in a wide range of organisations, including consulting companies, government, and NGOs dealing with natural resources, conservation and international development.
Graduates of the course have gone on to a range of cutting-edge conservation careers from academic researchers at top universities around the world to conservation practitioners at NGOs including the WildlifeTrusts, Durrell, RSBP, Fauna & Flora, and more. Course alumni also include successful policy advisors and project managers at the IUCN, UNEP-WCMC and DEFRA, as well as commercial consultants in conservation communications, sustainability, green finance and ecological consultancy. We maintain strong links to our community of alumni and regularly host alumni events where current students can hear from alumni about their careers, informally meet and network.
Careers support
Current students and alumni can arrange individual appointments with Karen or the programme teaching team as necessary to discuss careers options. For those seeking a complete change of career the MSc is often the means of doing so. Nevertheless, applying for jobs in a new area can seem a bit daunting, but it is important to recognise the wealth of transferable skills that you will be able to bring from previous career experience, even if not obviously connected with the environment. A bit of reflection and focused discussion can help enormously in helping you make the most of all your skills and experience. Students can also draw inspiration from the experience of a wealth of varied alumni career paths.
Imperial College Careers Service
Karen works closely with the College Careers Service. Becky Guppy is CEP’s main point of contact in the Careers Service. Online and personal CV checks are available by appointment, and Becky and other Careers Service consultants can provide further advice on job hunting, CVs, mock interviews etc. Appointments can be booked via JobsLive. CEP alumni have access to the College Careers Service for three years after graduating and CEP alumni are able to access the CEP jobs list and email network for a lifetime (!) through our fantastic international alumni network. Bill is happy to see past alumni if they need any careers advice later in life.
Careers seminars and events
As well as the departmental careers seminars run by Karen and Becky throughout the year for MSc and PhD students, the programme includes several conservation-focused careers events, including two careers panel discussions and an annual alumni evening, providing ample opportunities to discuss key topics in conservation careers and network with conservationists.
The Careers Service can also provide advice to students who wish to find internship opportunities. The Department and the Careers Service work actively to encourage students to find appropriate internships where there is clear benefit in doing so, while also fitting within the demands of the MSc programme.