Virtual Conservation Intern (Hengistbury Head NNR) Review
at BCP Council
Internship (1 Month+)
Environmental Science
Bournemouth
Review Submitted: February 2021
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Experience
4.5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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Company Culture
4/5
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Overall Experience
3/5
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Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the virtual experience and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
The placement experience was essentially split into two parts. The main section ran between 14th-18th December in which an array of speakers and industry experts provided talks and workshops on a range of aspects involved in being employed in the conservation sector. The second section was the group project that ran throughout the week and continued until the end of January, culminating in a final engagement proposal, which will be judged by the reserve team.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
The placement provided a mind-opening insight into the range of aspects involved in the conservation sector, with the variety of speakers and topics covered making this particularly successful. Particular highlights as part of this insight included learning about career progression and CPD, the importance of forward planning and, in the context of the ongoing pandemic, the current state of play and predicted future direction of thr sector, and with this sharing different ideas and information.
Please rate how insightful you found the virtual experience
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the virtual experience
4/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
The range of speakers and workshops throughout the week has allowed better understanding of the conservation sector and particularly aspects involved in career development and CPD, day-to-day management of large reserves like Hengistbury and associated roles of the staff who work there, and areas of research. The group project allowed delegation of roles and work, brainstorming of ideas and a greater understanding of how to effectively engage children with nature as part of the proposals.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
5/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the virtual experience
5/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
The company culture and atmosphere was excellent throughout. All the placement leaders, including Brian, Kelly and Mollie, were very inviting and accommodating, always open to answering questions and queries and through the Zoom platform, allowing participants to engage with the different speakers and each other using features such as the Chat function and Breakout Rooms. The distance between everyone felt minimal, almost as though we were in the same room within the Education Centre where the placement was led.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
5/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your virtual experience?
4/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the virtual experience?
The virtual experience was very enjoyable, and it has been a pleasure finding out more about Hengistbury Head NNR and the staff and communicating with them and all the speakers and accompanying participants throughout the placement. The networking opportunities have been particularly beneficial and with this expanding knowledge and understanding of the conservation sector, both through the talks and asking questions and subsequently using the LinkedIn platform. The engagement project was also a very rewarding experience.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the virtual experience
4/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
4/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was not paid and had no expenses
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at BCP Council
3/5
Would you recommend BCP Council to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BCP Council
These types of placement experiences which cover such a broad range of areas related to conservation and the environment and in particular career planning, yet explore the different subjects with insight, are not very common and so this type of placement provides the ideal self-affirming, rewarding and beneficial experience to explore different areas of the sector and discover where you might 'fit in', along with allowing you to network and expand your professional connections.
