Imogen Coverdale
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Udruga BIOM
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
After graduating, I become and Outdoor Instructor for a year in Surrey. These involved working with groups of children and teaching them activities such as climbing, archery, ropes courses, bushcraft and non-adventurous activities such as minibeast hunting and crafts. After gaining this experience, I moved to Singapore for 4 months and taught there, Malaysia and Indonesia as a Field Biologist. I took students to remote ecosystems such as rainforest, mangroves and coral reefs, teaching them various data sampling techniques. After further biology experience, I am now 7 months through a 10 year volunteering programme in Croatia. I have gained extensive, hands-on experience with (sea)birds, including sea surveys, nest searches, ringing and attachment of GPS loggers. I have also developed education workshops for children. I have done extensive proof-reading of articles for publication. The highlight has been seeing a lynx release!
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
My current and previous job choices have been a mix of hands-on field biology and environmental education. I like being out in the field putting my degree to use, but also educating younger generations about the environment and wildlife. The thing I enjoy most about my current work is working with other volunteers, assisting with bird health-checks and releases.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
Committee member of the BioScience Employability Committee. Member of the Bee and Elephant Enterprise Project. Member of the WildDoc Society.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
Fieldtrips – to Scotland in second year for the hands-on data collection we learnt, and to South Africa in third year, for the wildlife we saw!
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The location.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
The fieldtrips and variety of societies.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Report writing.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Volunteer as much as possible – this shouldn’t involve paying for expensive internships abroad! Skills gained closer to home are just as valuable.
What are your plans for the future?
Develop my career as an environmental educator.
