Cat shares how she explored exciting conservation and wildlife career opportunities while receiving support through EveryYouth’s Employed programme:
I’m Cat and I’m 26 years old. I first started getting support with my local EveryYouth charity, 1625 Independent People, when I was 18.
After a family breakdown I moved into accommodation that wasn’t the best, and then I was offered better housing and employment support with 1625IP. The charity has been really helpful for all the years I have engaged with them.
I am living in supported accommodation with 1625IP and started working with an employability coach, thanks to EveryYouth Employed, so I could explore my career options in the areas of conservation, wildlife in natural spaces and animal care. I’m interested in wildlife conservation and protecting species.
When I was younger I wanted to be a marine biologist but now I love land animals and want to protect them. I lost a bit of direction throughout my teen years but now I’m an adult I want more of a focus.
I had a helpful year of narrowing down my job prospects thanks to my coach from 1625IP. We looked into what my interests were and tried out different opportunities, such as an open lecture at Bristol Zoo, and I completed a ‘week introduction to conservation’ course with The Prince’s Trust.
I also completed a Heritage Week with the National Trust and have found lots of other volunteering opportunities through that. It has been a helpful year of trying to narrow down prospects of what I’m interested in and what I can apply myself to.
I had a tough few years with my health and I wanted to take it slowly and explore my opportunities so I could sustain the work and not overwhelm myself. In December I finished a L2 horticulture course and it was a shame to say goodbye to my classmates because we built a good relationship.
I’m not sure exactly what I’d like to do in the future – maybe become a zoo ranger or maybe help with wildlife conservation and protecting species and helping sort out invasive ones.
With my horticulture course coming to an end I’m looking at what’s next, such as apprenticeships. I have a L2 qualification in animal care so I want to build on that. I still have volunteering opportunities and have even been offered a job, so I have to decide if I want to take it.
I’m in that transition phase now. I have been looking at colleges and courses starting in September 2026, which I definitely wasn’t in the right mindset for in the last 10 years. Looking back at it all, I have done quite a lot and it feels good. Now I am consciously thinking about my career rather than just how to get through each year.
My advice for other people in a similar situation would be to get out and volunteer and network. Don’t put pressure on yourself and induction courses can be a great way to figure out what you want to do.
I’d also say it’s okay to try things twice because being consistent is important, even if it’s not comfortable – little stresses can be healthy and help us grow and challenge ourselves.
Find out how we support young people like Cat through our EveryYouth Employed programme.
