Trainee stories

Sophie Pinder – South Reserves Trainee

Why did you choose a traineeship with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust?

After I graduated with a degree in Environmental Conservation from university, I needed to gain some more practical experience to help with my job applications. I had done some volunteering before, but the South Reserves traineeship offered a more structured approach to working in conservation, and provided an opportunity to develop my practical skills as well as integrating fully within a wildlife organisation.

What did you do during it?

The traineeship offered a varied approach to reserves management, and I was able to participate in some of the essential office-based work, such as writing management plans, interpreting survey data and developing specifications for contractor works. There were also opportunities to work with other teams, such as projects and education, giving me a feel for the organisation as a whole and allowing me to develop essential communication and team-working skills.

The majority of my time was all about getting outdoors and managing the different reserves in the South region. As I’d hoped this meant lots of habitat management for reed beds and wetlands, grassland, woodlands as well as species and habitat surveying. I built up my skills to lead the volunteer task days on the reserves and was trained up to confidently use a range of hand and power tools and machinery.

I also had the chance to take on my own mini project, which involved surveying willow tits around the reserves and collating the data to influence future management. I participated in many other surveys, including otter and water vole, habitat surveys, wildflower monitoring and great crested newt surveys.

What did you get from the experience?

On top of an extended knowledge of practical habitat management, I was able to attain qualifications in brushcutter and pesticide use with the help of a training budget. I met some amazing people and was able to network with the other trainees across Yorkshire through the regular Trainee Trips, where we visited sites across the region to see the different work going on and participate in some of the activities, such as beach cleans and rock pooling – something I didn’t do much of in Doncaster!

What are you doing now?

Eight months into my traineeship I was able to get a four month part-time contract as Assistant Reserves Officer, covering for a member of staff on leave. Just over a year later, I am still in that role 2 days a week and spend the rest of my time as a Project Officer, delivering a long-term project to restore wet woodland and recover willow tit populations.

How did it help your career?

The traineeship provided me with the skills and experience necessary to do the jobs I do now, and has enabled me to develop a career in conservation. It’s also a great opportunity to network with a range of professionals in the conservation sector, learn more about how these organisations work, and prepare you for a range of jobs in conservation.