Benn: Communications Trainee at the British Ecological Society
Searching for an alternative to studying and hospitality work, Benn, 22, couldn’t have found a better suited opportunity than being the Communications Trainee at The British Ecological Society. Benn’s New to Nature placement is improving her writing and building confidence for a continued career in communications.
Prior to her traineeship, Benn had given university education a go, and worked part-time in a restaurant alongside her studies. Benn wasn’t committed to either of these options – instead, she was just waiting for the right opportunity to come around.
When Benn stumbled across the New to Nature placement at The British Ecological Society on social media, she envisioned a chance to live more independently by earning a full-time salary. Benn also considered this role might be a way to gain skills which were more compatible with her learning style than university.
The unique informative stance taken by The British Ecological Society, rather than other activism-led routes of environmental campaigning, appealed to Benn, who writes articles, press releases, and website features on important environmental research as part of her communications role. Benn has even interviewed key environmental figures such as Helen Roy and transgender ecologist Brigitte Baptiste!
This has been a formative year for Benn. By widening her range of written topics, accessing feedback more readily than ever, and developing her writing style, Benn has gained invaluable experience for a career in communications. She is also honing her networking skills, with hopes of meeting new people who might grant her access to a wider variety of opportunities beyond her placement.
New to Nature has laid the foundations for Benn to build a career around writing, possibly in the arts sector, or a similar interest. Whilst not certain what her future will entail, Benn is confident and excited to find out.
Since leaving New to Nature, Benn has started a permanent role with Bafta as a PR & Communications Officer.
Benn said:
“The stability of my role has helped my mental health a lot, as I no longer worry about working enough hours to make ends meet or working super late and having to walk home alone at night.
“I’ve been pitching my own articles to newspapers and magazines, so I’m hoping to see my name on a by-line somewhere soon!
In an ideal world, programmes like this would be advertised in schools and colleges as heavily as going to university is – not everyone wants to sit in a classroom for another three to four years. There are loads of people who just want to get real experience in jobs.
New to Nature is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation, delivered through a partnership of Groundwork, The Prince’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, Mission Diverse and the Youth Environmental Service.
