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Graduate case studies

Graduate case studies
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Katie - 
Operations Manager

Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

About the job

Main responsibilities

I am responsible for the day to day running of the organisation including managing volunteers, staff and the community gardens. I also write funding bids, newsletters, update the website. I represent the organisation locally and advise other organisations to manage their green spaces.

Typical day

I visit several sites in one day, checking on the staff and volunteers running the projects and working on the gardens. I might represent HCGA and/or local green spaces/wildlife at local meetings. I might cover a session such as delivering an hour of environmental education to 10 nursery children or deliver nature-based activities in a hospital ward.

What do I enjoy about my job?

I like the variation of the job and the charity is doing fantastic work

Why did this area of work appeal to me?

I just fell into it really! I found it hard to get a job with a biology degree.

Skills/qualifications I use in my job?

I use administrative and people skills, as well as a lot of common sense. I need some knowledge of horticulture and biodiversity

Training I receive as part of my job

First aid, fire safety and stock watching.


Career information

Brief history since leaving University

Membership Events Assistant at the Zoological Society of London. This was a voluntary position, 3 days per week

Animal Assistant for Warner Bros.
I trained animals for the Harry Potter films.

Fellowship Executive at the Zoological Society of London. This was a paid position, where I organised a programme of events for Fellows and administration of the Fellowship scheme.

College Lake Centre Manager - Managed the build, set up and then day-to-day running of a visitor centre at a nature reserve

Where do I see myself in the future?

I would like to move in to international wildlife conservation


Advice to students

My piece of advice to students

You can't get a job without volunteering, at least not in London. You need a masters at least to get anywhere in a biological role. At ZSL they have voluntary roles and the minimum entrance is a masters.



Send Katie a question about their career.


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Last updated: 09 Mar 2017