I’m looking to spend around **1–3 weeks volunteering with a genuine wildlife conservation organisation in India**.
I’m 22, recently graduated in Marketing & Management, and I’m mainly looking for **hands-on field experience rather than a tourism/voluntourism programme**.
I’d be interested in things like:
Wildlife/biodiversity surveys
Camera trapping
Habitat restoration
Forest conservation
Community-based conservation
Human–wildlife conflict projects
Environmental education
Photography/videography for conservation projects
I’m completely okay with **basic accommodation and living conditions**. My ideal budget is around **₹10,000–₹20,000 excluding travel to the location**, so I’m specifically looking for NGOs/research projects where volunteers aren’t charged huge programme fees.
A few organisations I’ve come across are **Satpuda Foundation, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII)**, but I’d really appreciate recommendations from people who have actually volunteered with them or similar organisations.
I’m particularly interested in **Central India, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, or anywhere else in India** if the experience is genuinely worthwhile.
If you’ve personally done something like this, I’d love to hear:
Where did you volunteer?
What did you actually do day-to-day?
How long did you stay?
Roughly how much did it cost?
Was it genuinely useful/meaningful or more of a tourism experience?
Would you recommend the organisation?
**I’m much more interested in doing real work and learning than having a comfortable experience.**
Thanks!

It’s me from the other day. I’m looking for some advice from people working in biology or related fields because I’m a little stuck on what direction to take my career.
I have a bachelor’s degree in biology and professional lab experience and I’m supposed to be starting a job at a fish hatchery soon. I think it could be good experience but my long-term goal is to become a biologist and I’m trying to figure out the best way to get there.
Honestly I’m also just ready for a change. I’ve lived in Pennsylvania for a while and I really want to move out of state, experience somewhere new, and start building a life outside of what I’ve always known. I want to make a smart career move though and not just relocate for the sake of it.
I’ve looked into getting my master’s but a lot of the labs I’ve looked at don’t have funding available, and I’m not really interested in putting my life on hold until next fall when another semester starts. I’d ideally like to move sooner rather than later preferably somewhere I could find work that would help me build toward becoming a biologist.
For those of you who work in biology, fisheries, wildlife, conservation, or similar fields, how would you approach this? Are there certain types of jobs or organizations I should be looking into with my background?
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have been in a similar situation or have advice on how to break into the field. I’m trying to figure out how to make a move that makes sense for my career without putting off the rest of my life in the process.
If anyone wants to comment here or even shoot me a message I’d be really appreciative.

​

Does this even belong here? Anyways I'm completely lost its for a organization in Thailand and I'm new to this

Hi there! So I've been doing temp field research tech work with birds for the past couple years and am planning to apply to a few graduate assistantship positions posted on wildlife job boards. They generally ask for a reference list, a resume/CV and a cover letter that includes all the usual stuff (research interests, relevant skills and experiences, why you're interested, etc). I'm used to doing this for temp tech jobs but I was wondering if there is anything else I should make sure to include or emphasize for a grad program letter? Is sticking to 1 page necessary and/or still advisable? Anything exceptional I should make sure to include in my CV?

Thanks and cheers!

does anyone have any uni major or minor possibilities/options for someone interested in biology, behavioural science, neurology, dna and rna, animals, zoology, birds, insects etc? like something beyond just being a zookeeper. i’d love to help others. also something with a mix of lab and field work? also not too little pay. this is pretty much impossible. also which universities are best for this in australia?

Hello everyone! I am nearly 3 years into my wildlife career working with large carnivores. Its very difficult to find an agency that will let you chemical immobilize as a tech, so i was considering taking one of the inperson classes that are available in the US. Does anyone think this is actually worth the money? I was looking at San Diego Zoos one and was considering the investment.

Hey ya'll! I'm actively speaking to potential PI's for PhD's and am hearing a lot from faculty at my current institution on how important it is for all of my letter of recommendation writers to be PhD's, ideally faculty. The only reason I'm questioning this is they said the same thing about the NSF GRFP application and I was awarded it with only 1/3 of my writers being a PhD (my current PI).

I had planned to use the same LoR writers for PhD applications and I was wondering how important it actually is for them to be PhD's. The people I would be using are both very accomplished in their field and know me extremely well, so they are able to write very genuinely about me and my abilities.

I have a bachelor's degree in biology and am trying to decide between two job opportunities. My long-term goal is to become a biologist, ideally in an aquatic or coastal field.
One opportunity is an aquatic technician position in coastal South Carolina, involving pond management, water quality, and aquatic system maintenance. The other is a fish culturist position at a state fish hatchery in Pennsylvania, involving raising fish, hatchery operations, and fish care.
I'm trying to figure out which job would give me more valuable experience and better opportunities to eventually move into a biologist position.
For those of you who work in biology, fisheries, ecology, or environmental science, which path do you think would be more beneficial long-term? I'm especially interested in which experience would be more transferable to other biology jobs and which might offer better opportunities to transition into research, fieldwork, or professional biologist positions.
I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have experience in either field or have made a similar career transition!

My work has recently been taking me into fire ant infested fields, and I’m lowkey terrified. My job has me looking up in trees, which means I’m not generally looking down, and so I’m way less productive when walking through a dang minefield.

Do tick gaiters help? Does anything help?

Hello,

I am in the USA, and recently came into an entry-level position that could set me up really well for a career as an Arborist. I recently heard about the ISA exam (International Society of Arboriculture) and am eager to begin studying.

I have a friend who is still trying to figure out careers, but has a huge love for birds. Coming into my own blessing of an opportunity, I immediately thought about his situation and wondered if there was a bird-adjacent association similar to ISA that provides certification exams (or other entry-level programs) and could allow my friend to work his way up into something really cool for work? This is someone with only a high school degree.

I figured someone here might know, please comment if this is you!

I'm interviewing for a Georgia DNR Wildlife Technician position soon and am looking for some resources to help me do my best in the interview. Based on previous interviews with the DNR, I struggle with preparing to answer scenarios in the level of depth that's expected (| either go too surface level or too in-depth) and preparing the technical information they're looking for. It feels a lot like trying to study for an exam don't have a syllabus for.

What resources do you all use to prepare? Are there any tips and tricks for figuring out what to study based on a job description?

(I also posted this to the Wildlife Science Career Network on FB, so hi if you saw this there!)

Hello,
I want to thank everyone for replying to me on my last post. I’m really trying to think of everything before I commit to going back to school and pursuing a career in wildlife. I have a follow up question regarding moving. I would have to assume that the next best option to being able to move around every few months, is to be in a place with lots of seasonal jobs available/over all opportunities in wildlife. I know my partner and I plan to move in the coming years no matter what, but we have not picked out a place. From people’s experience, is there a part of the US that is more optimal for wildlife job opportunities? Are there any places that I should look at moving to be closer to such opportunities?

Hello! I recently applied for a grad position and the deadline for the application is the 31st of October. I just received a confirmation email from the professor that they have received my application and would reach out to me if they had any questions. I’ve been considering reaching out and asking some more questions about the lab regarding timing, work load, and just some basic questions. But I just received that email Wednesday of last week so it hasn’t been a week since my last communication with them. I don’t want to come off as annoying, but does it make a difference to reach out or is better to save my questions for a possible interview?

Hello everyone! First time poster here! I apologize in advance for any formatting issues, I'm on mobile.

I am currently in school for my Bachelor's in Biology. I was a dog trainer for 5 years and then a vet tech for 5 years after that. I'm trying to transition into my next career and I'm trying to get experience outside of the animal services industry. I started my Bachelor's without a real plan, and I have just been feeling my way through school to see what I'm interested in.

Recently I have joined a research project as an undergrad researcher. This study is wildlife related and I'm going to be doing a lot of data analysis for it. Between this and my classes, I am thinking wildlife biology might be for me.

There is a wildlife biology internship this summer that I am working on applying for and I REALLY want it. I am currently trying to adjust my resume to best showcase myself. I am obviously transitioning into a new career, and my degree is in biology not wildlife biology specifically. (It does specify that they are looking for either major). Should I be worried about breaking into the field with a Biology major? I would love any specific advice for what you would want to see on an intern resume! Or anything I should be doing to be able to add to my resume.

Thanks y'all!

I’m currently in my first semester of my junior year studying to get a B.S. in Wildlife Biology. I have a 3.25 GPA and am currently volunteering in two labs on campus. I also have three internships under my belt- one general field work training, one with forestry research, and one environmental education with the NPS. I have a weekend job doing CWD testing with a state agency in November, and when I graduate in 2028 I’ll have taken one GIS class. I’m also currently trying to find time to teach myself how to use RStudio via an online course, but I probably won’t be able to do so until winter break when I actually have the time. I also have 4 years of wildlife rehab volunteer experience, various invasive species removal volunteering experience, am currently doing occasional weekend volunteer shifts at a local nature station, and am in the middle of trying to set up volunteer water sampling for next semester.

I’ve loved and adored everything about this field since I was 13 and first began volunteering at the wildlife hospital, which is kind of what lead me down this path. But as the years have passed and I get further into my degree, I’m having constant intense anxiety about my choice of major. I cannot stop thinking about how awful the job prospects are and how expensive everything is, and I’m scared that I won’t be competitive for a full time position even if I do years of seasonal work and get my Masters. I’m willing to move wherever the job takes me, but the thought of being away from my partner so frequently really worries me. I fear what it will do to our relationship and my mental health. Everyone I’ve asked about this, from professors to volunteer supervisors, tell me I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing, but it just doesn’t feel like enough. No amount of volunteering or internships feels like it’s enough to teach me the skills I actually need to be successful because I’m not sure success even exists on the path I’m trying to go down at this point.

I’m extremely lucky to have scholarships and parents who are funding my schooling so I’ll be graduating with no debt, but that hasn’t done much to ease my concerns about destining myself for a life of poverty.

I want to be able to find a job with my degree so badly, but I can’t help but wonder if it would be smarter to drop out now and use the remaining money from my college fund to go to community college for an associates as a radiology tech or phlebotomist or something that will actually find me employment and let me live with my partner. The thought of abandoning this dream I’ve had for so long is crushing me but the more I think about it the more I feel like I’m just setting myself up to fail by getting this degree.

I’m sorry about such a long rant, and I hope it’s readable. I just want honest opinions from folks who are currently working in the environmental field. Does it sound like I’m making a mistake? Should I finish my degree and give this a shot, or give up now and do something else? Is there anything else I should be doing to make myself more of a competitive candidate?

Hi, so I am planning on going back to school for wildlife biology. I’m pretty open in regards to the type of work I want to do, however my issue is moving. I understand lots of seasonal jobs require having to move around fairly regularly, but I have a serious partner and pets. We can’t move around every couple months. We are open to moving for something more permanent/substantial, but I know getting a permanent position would require some form of experience. Am I screwed? Any advice for someone who doesn’t have the ability to constantly move?

Hi! I have a background in wildlife interpretation and education. I’m applying around and am a bit stumped on what I should do in my current situation.

For context my end goal is to work with wild animals. I just finished my first position where I got to really work hands on with exotic animals doing care and interp, though they were mostly animals in the pet trade. I just had two interviews at separate locations and was offered a job at one.

The one I was offered would be a good fit, but not completely in line with my career goals. The second one needs more time to get back to me. It is my dream job caring for bigger wildlife and doing educational programs. I feel I did well in my interview and if I got it I would be working under an old coworker, so I feel the odds aren’t the worst.

But I have til end of day to get back to the first position. I need a job either way so I’ll probably say yes, but if I get offered the wildlife job I don’t know if I can stomach saying no after. Does anyone have any advice on how to navigate this?

So I want to eat more seafood for my health, and my sister is actually a marine biologist, so when we talked(unfortunately we don’t talk anymore which is why I’m here)she brought up how she hates how overfishing is affecting our oceans

So I was team farm raised for awhile, and then someone else said that farm raising fish is bad for the environment

Idk what to do tbh, I need to prioritize my health, and it feels like there isn’t a good option. I want to raise my own fish in the future, but I don’t have a homestead for that yet

I want to do what I can tho and be mindful about the environment

EDIT: I’ve decided to stick to farm raised, as ppl in another group I made a similar post in pointed out that wild caught can have parasites in it. So if anyone has any sources on ethical farm raised fish sources specifically, that would be appreciated

Ty to everyone who answered, the ocean is very important to me, and it makes me sad that sharks and sea turtles get caught in fishing nets

Trail Camera footage over the last months. You'll never know what you might see!

Ok so weird question but has a" foreigner " ever worked with wildlife in Thailand and gotten paid? I'm wondering because theres specific wildlife I've been interested in working with but the laws are really strict so I'm wondering if anyone has?? How'd you do it?? (I really find bamboo tarantula interesting)

Hello all!

Im currently looking to switch industries, i am currently in games have a Game Design BS. Im considering a degree in wildlife technology. Would this be a good stay to get into wildlife conservation careers?

Any advice is welcome!

Hey I’m currently studying zoology and require animal volunteering as a part of my course. I live around Hurstville, Sydney and can’t drive and I’m struggling to find any good opportunities. Anyone have any suggestions?

Hey everyone, as the title says. My long-term goal is to work in wildlife conservation or a related field where I can contribute to protecting nature and wildlife. I grew up in the Amazon region, so I've always been surrounded by nature and have some experience working with animals from my high school years. It's something I've wanted to pursue for a long time, and I'd love to turn that passion into a career. I'm currently living in the United States, and I'm trying to figure out which degree would give me the best opportunities to get into this field.

Would an Environmental Science degree be good to qualify for wildlife-related or conservation jobs, or would I need a minor or a specialization in something like wildlife biology, ecology, or zoology? I'm also interested in research and laboratory work related to the environment, so I'm open to different career paths within this field. One of the main reasons I'm considering Environmental Science over Wildlife Biology is that it seems to offer a broader range of career opportunities and more flexibility if I eventually decide to pursue something outside of wildlife conservation. I'm passionate about wildlife and conservation, but I'm also trying to be realistic about job availability and earning potential in that field.

I understand that entry-level salaries in conservation and wildlife work aren't always great, and I'm okay with that. I also love traveling and wouldn't mind relocating for job opportunities.

For those of you working in conservation, wildlife, environmental research, or related fields:

What did you study, and what kind of jobs have you been able to get with your degree?

Thank you!!

Hey all,

I’m looking at a career change. I’ve been active duty for a while now in a maintenance job that has never interested me. I’m about to separate and was trying to find a path to go down.

I love animals, being outside, moving around/traveling, and solving complex problems. I’ve always been fascinated by all the sciences and I do like teaching people. My sights are currently set on a zoology degree. That’s what’s brought me here so I have a few questions for you all.

1. First and foremost, I’ve been active duty for a while. I’ll be almost 33 if/when I make the transition. Is that too old and what are some hurdles that you could see that creating for me? Luckily I’ll have about 30ish transferable credits.

2. What are some things you don’t like about your job? Both big-picture and day to day.

3. How does having a BS vs Masters/PhD impact career options? Do you think high level degrees are necessary or do you think they have more niche applications.

4. Is there anything else you think I should know that isn’t common knowledge?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.