Ferozah: Wild Isles Officer at WWF-UK

Career progression: Following her placement, Ferozah was offered a permanent position at WWF as a Campaigns and Communities Coordinator. Ferozah is currently employed as a Team Wilder Engagement Officer at the Surrey Wildlife Trust where she is creating new experiences, building on her previous field skills and spending a little more time outdoors.

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Growing up in London, Ferozah always had a passion for all things nature. She was fortunate that her home bordered onto a green common, which gave her much peace and joy (especially during the Covid-19 pandemic), but she was unsure of what a career in nature really entailed. Only that whatever it was, she wanted in.

It was through studying nature that she fell even deeper in love with it. Ferozah did her postgraduate in the South East, focusing on ecology and conservation, with field work experience and a project on bumblebees and pesticides. Her curiosity grew. But she still didn’t know what jobs in the sector were out there, especially in practical roles.

When Ferozah learned about the entry-level role at WWF-UK, everything changed. This accessible step into a green job was invaluable.

Being a Wild Isles Officer at WWF-UK was busy from the get-go! Ferozah was working on the David Attenborough ‘Save Our Wild Isles’ project – a national partnership – which created many learning and responsibility opportunities, including going to parliament and managing events. In April, when single handedly project managing a live stream event, Ferozah experienced a breakthrough in her confidence and really began to feel accomplished. 

Groundwork offered Ferozah support throughout the traineeship, in the form of an employment coach, who was a comforting external voice separate from her placement organisation. She also valued talking through her fears and challenges when she met up with other inspiring trainees.

Following the placement, Ferozah secured permanent employment with WWF-UK as the Campaigns and Communities Coordinator. In this role, Ferozah used her own faith-led experiences and insight to connect with communities, bringing people together to care about nature. She is passionate about bringing in diversity and inclusion to her campaigns, to workplace culture, and in the fight for nature and climate.

Now Ferozah’s ambitions for the future are limitless – knowing there are a multitude of options out there. She is confident that the communications skills built through her time as a trainee are ones she can take into a future role, whether that’s data driven, creative or practical.

Ferozah said:

“To get an entry level role, volunteering was not enough, as it is expected that you have years of experience to even get a first role – which makes it difficult to break into the sector.

“I’m so grateful for the traineeship at WWF-UK. Being able to say that my first role out of university was at one of the biggest environmental organisations is no small thing for me.

“New to Nature was the first time in the sector that I felt like I belonged. Everyone I met was so inspiring and skilled which shows why we need more programmes like this for equal opportunities. Knowing and seeing people like me, that are capable and have knowledge, has spurred me on more to campaign for our spot in the sector, with a more diverse workforce.

“Like other environmental organisations, WWF-UK didn’t have many entry level roles but I was welcomed in the best way, with everyone so committed to helping me develop. I got a lot of support from my team and others across the organisation and was able to learn so much. In an ideal world, there would be a traineeship every year at every organisation. It is nice to see WWF-UK building their work experience and internship programmes and using the learnings from my placement there. Of course, things take time, but it’s all about being receptive and open to change.

“I didn’t know anyone from my community that worked in the sector, so I didn’t have anyone to ask about jobs or opportunities. It was difficult. At university, because it was so academically rigorous, there wasn’t a focus on the types of jobs you could get after graduating other than academia or consultancy. It was hard knowing I wanted to do something for the environment but not knowing how to get there at all.”

“When I was at university, I pushed myself to find opportunities to get involved such as volunteering and internships. I started joining my local community bird walks and I’d be the only young person there! It was the opportunities I saw outside of my degree that strengthened the interest in the environment and nature, and I knew I wanted to take it further.

“Reflecting at the New to Nature celebration event in Birmingham was when I was like, oh okay, I can do this, I am confident and capable to do things like this. People were willing to support me and let me learn. That’s what is so important with things like this, people giving you opportunities.

“When I decided I wanted to find a new opportunity to develop even more, I felt much more confident in finding my next step and sharing my experiences to secure a new role.”