For students preparing to take their first steps into the environmental industry, hands-on experience can be just as valuable as what they learn in the classroom.
Natura Pacific welcomes opportunities for final-year and graduate students to gain practical field experience through university placements, providing an opportunity to build skills, explore different aspects of environmental consulting and experience what it’s like to work in the field.
Our newest intern, Hazel, is one month into her placement with Natura Pacific. From joining our environmental consultants in the field to gaining insight into the day-to-day work of an environmental professional, Hazel shares her experience so far and reflects on how field experience is helping shape her journey into the industry!
What attracted you to environmental science and ecology as a career path?
I chose to study Environmental Science because I am passionate about protecting the environment and making a positive difference. I love that this career offers opportunities to travel and work in remote locations. I’m particularly interested in animal behaviour, the relationships between plants and animals, and climate change. I hope to build a career where I can contribute to environmental conservation and sustainability and help the world develop in an environmentally friendly way.
What drew you to undertake your placement with Natura Pacific?
I had a goal of securing an internship where I could gain practical experience and develop the skills I had been learning at university. I researched a range of environmental consulting companies, and Natura Pacific really stood out to me because of its strong focus on social enterprise and giving back to the community. I was especially drawn to the fact that Natura Pacific is more than just an environmental consulting company. They also place a strong focus on education, particularly engaging younger generations. I also found the way they incorporate community involvement into their consulting projects really impressive. It was something I had not come across before, and it made Natura Pacific feel like a company that is not only focused on delivering environmental outcomes, but also on creating a broader positive impact.
What kinds of projects or field experiences have you been involved in so far, and what has been most meaningful to you?
The most meaningful project I have been involved in has been the nest box installation program. As part of this project, we installed a range of different nest boxes across various locations to provide additional habitat for hollow nesting animals, to provide extra habitat to animals that may have lost their homes due to recent development. I found this meaningful because it was a practical way to contribute directly to habitat conservation and to see how relatively small interventions can support local wildlife.
How has working alongside practising ecologists changed or reinforced your understanding of the profession?
Working alongside practising ecologists has given me a much clearer understanding of what a career in environmental consulting can look like. It has given me the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the different types of ecological consulting work available in Queensland, and see how the knowledge and skills I have developed at university can be applied in a real world professional setting. Through the internship, I have gained a clearer understanding of the types of projects and fieldwork environmental consultants undertake. The variety of experiences has also helped me identify the areas of ecology I enjoy most and may want to pursue further. It has also shown me the value of developing a broad skill set while building specialised knowledge in areas such as botany and plant identification or mapping GIS skills.
What skills or perspectives have you developed during your internship that you couldn’t learn in the classroom alone?
One of the most valuable skills I have developed during my internship is the ability to apply practical techniques in a real world setting. At university, I learned skills such as completing transects, taking measurements and recording data, but the internship has allowed me to practise these skills consistently in the field and understand how they are used in professional ecological work. I have also developed a better understanding of how to work safely in unpredictable or unusual field conditions.
What has surprised you most about ecological consulting or environmental fieldwork?
What has surprised me most about ecological consulting is the variety of work involved and how much takes place beyond the actual fieldwork. I have also realised how detailed ecological surveys need to be to make sure the information collected is accurate and useful. The internship has taught me the importance of being prepared for different environments and conditions. Working alongside experienced ecologists has also shown me the range of knowledge they bring, particularly in species identification, understanding landscapes and making decisions in the field. Another aspect that has stood out to me is the balance between conservation requirements and the needs of a client or project, as well as the amount of work that continues after fieldwork through data management, reporting and analysis.
Hazel’s favourite field discovery: Red Velvet Mites
