Roots and Resilience: Supporting Conservation Careers in Transition
- DC EcoWomen
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 minutes ago
Guest Blog Post: By Kathryn Kullberg
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the conservation careers panel discussion and happy hour at Busboys & Poets K St. location on April 22nd Earth Day during DC Climate Week. In this time of transition for DC's workforce, we wanted to organize a conversation to support people who have been most affected by the federal cuts in the fields of environmental and wildlife conservation. Special Thanks Special thanks to Dr. Mel Michelle Lewis with the Root to Flourish Collective for sponsoring the event and joining me on the panel along with Rebecca Ferguson-Ondrey with WellFed. The panel was moderated by Rosey Pasco, DC EcoWomen Board member, and organized in collaboration with Bria Jamison, DC EcoWomen's Board Member & VP, Programs Committee. Staying Resilient: Career Transition Tips & Resources In the panel discussion, we reflected on the losses felt after DOGE unceremoniously fired incredible talented government workers. Even after a year, the trickle down effects of these layoffs continue to greatly impact the DC community. The job market is saturated with so many qualified candidates, making it extremely difficult and competitive to find a job. The job search process can be especially isolating, so in order to stay strong and resilient it is important to connect with supportive communities where you can find opportunities for learning and networking. During the event, we heard from federal workers, NGO staff, scientists, and new graduates, who are unsure about next steps in terms of overcoming the challenges they face in their job search. In response, I shared some of the resources available through the The Conservation Collective, and my fellow panelists shared resources they offer. One main takeaway from the event was that community is critical in getting us through these challenging times. The Conservation Collective
The Conservation Collective was founded to help professionals working in the fields of wildlife, forests, and water conservation to find their next role. Our network focuses on events, support spaces, and sharing resources. In addition to hosting happy hours, we also organize more curated speed networking events, where we first solicit feedback among our members to learn what their needs are, and identify relevant organizations to partner with, who can meet with potential candidates. Based on needs, we match job providers with qualified candidates. Attendees then get 1:1 time with employers, who they would not have been able to meet with otherwise. Many have had success with finding jobs through this networking model. The idea is to break down walls to make networking more accessible. Our next speed networking event will be on May 20th from 4-6pm. If you would like to be considered for the event, please reach out to conservationcollectivedc@gmail.com and follow us on LinkedIn and join our Signal chat.
Root to Flourish Collective's mission is "to cultivate a racially-just conservation, climate, and environmental movement though empowered leadership and community care." Check out their upcoming programs, join their network and follow on LinkedIn.
WellFed's mission is "to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table - & that each deeply deserving public servant is truly well-fed." They offer weekly virtual programs & in-person events for professionals navigating career challenges or transitions. They also provide career development services, training resources, community forums and more. You can join their mailing list to stay informed about their events and resources and follow them on LinkedIn.
DC EcoWomen's mission is to inspire and empower women to be leaders for the environment by cultivating an inclusive community that fosters personal and professional development. To learn about upcoming events and job postings, you can sign up for email updates, join the community online group, follow the LinkedIn page and join the LinkedIn group.
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