Abbie Ferrar
What employment sector do you work in?
NGO
How long have you had a green job for nature?
Overall 8 years – my current post 1 month
Salary Range
£25,001 – £30,000
Please describe the work that you do.
I am the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership Coordinator. The aim of this partnership is to promote, protect and enhance the biodiversity of the North East of Scotland. As the sole coordinator for the partnership, my role is to both develop and coordinate the implementation of the Strategic Plan of Action to achieve these aims across three local authority areas (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray).
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
I love meeting people, getting creative with others, and supporting people’s ideas and creativity. I love inspiring. Sometimes it can be difficult to manage everyone’s ideas and prioritising, especially if everyone is as eager and passionate as each other.
What inspired you into this career?
People, and being able to pass on my enthusiasm and passions to them.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
After leaving University, I only received rejections. I had to work minimum wage jobs to save up to be able to volunteer and then study for an MSc. But unfortunately, even after that I was receiving rejects for paid jobs and could only get unpaid internships.
What education/training did you have?
I have a BSc (Hons) in Marine Invertebrate Zoology, an MSc in Marine Environmental Management and I have attended multiple trainings in outdoor education, and mental and physical first aid. I have also attended trainings in performance management and how to deal with difficult conversations.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
Ignore what others are doing around you and the achievements they have. Everyone comes from different backgrounds (I was one of two people who had to work whilst studying for my MSc, there were 25 of us in total). Work towards your goals, and start of small, don’t overwhelm yourself. You have got this!
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Tags: Scotland, NGO sector, Project manager, Environmental Adviser, Community and volunteer engagement
Date profile submitted: 30/04/2024
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