How to use your Opwall expedition in applications

Applications, whether it’s a CV for a job or a personal statement for higher education, can be a daunting task. Knowing what to include or emphasise might be confusing to begin with. However, starting is the hardest part so if you are looking for advice then you’re already on track.

There isn’t really a right or a wrong way to write an application but there are some methods to use which will get you noticed compared to others, hopefully resulting in a successful application for an interview or the position. The purpose of these applications are for the employer or admissions officer to get an initial idea of who you are, your past experiences and what suits you to the position. While there may be a lot you want include about yourself, try to pick topics that relate to the course or job specification and go into detail about these, rather than skimming over a larger number of topics.

If you’re unsure of how an application should look or be formatted, taking a look at online examples is a good source of inspiration. For CVs, a simpler format is generally better, many are only one A4 page so you want to fit in as much information as you can – avoid wasting time or space trying to add fancy borders or images, your employer is more interested in the content. Some organisations ask for a cover letter to supplement your CV, this allows you to go into more depth about your experiences and why you want the position. Just try to bring in new information, rather than just repeating what you say in your CV!

In conservation or environmental work, often soft skills such can be initially more important compared to technical knowledge. Building up skills such as problem solving, time management and having a good work ethic are often developed without even realising – through education, working, volunteering or socialising and especially a combination of them all. Then from these base skills you can incorporate more technical knowledge through active learning outside of or within the position. As Opwall expeditions engage you in a fully immersive experience you will be learning every step of the way. Therefore developing those skills will benefit you in the long run, in all paths of life. To apply for a job they often list a number of essential and desirable skills – you do not have to check every single box, but try and think of an example for every essential skill.

 

 

Developing your skills with Opwall

Transferable skills

Your individual skill set will have been built over your life, such as the subjects you chose to study in education, through different job roles, or through developing personal interests. At times you may be able to play the variety of skills you have to different strengths, and some might not be as relevant for a role but it doesn’t mean it’s not useful. Here you could talk about the survey methods you learn, working within a team, coping with working in testing conditions or inputting data as a few examples.

 

Conservation experience

Volunteering with Opwall and working with the in-country local conservation organisations is a great way to show commitment to your interest and benefits the organisation by giving back to the area. Building these relationships could also lead to later opportunities such as rejoining an expedition but as a staff member. This would then allow you to develop your leadership skills and focus on the research aspect you enjoyed the most. Having field work experience shows your ability to cope in often tough conditions and remaining engaged and proactive throughout shows your commitment.

 

 

Technical Knowledge

Having scientific knowledge either of a niche subject or more generally of various topics is hugely beneficial, and pairs really well with the soft skills. This could be species, taxa or ecosystem specific, knowledge is wealth! On Opwall expeditions you have the chance to learn about and survey a variety of flora and fauna giving you broad experience of research experience. This opens up the possibility of applying for a variety of roles before finding your desired career route.

 

Making friends – and therefore contacts

One of the biggest perks of an Opwall expedition is undoubtably the people you meet. If you are a school student, there may be university students who are volunteering on the same expedition as you, make use of your time there to pick their brains about their experiences. If you are one of our research assistants or dissertation students, you’ll meet many others like yourselves from international backgrounds, it is an amazing environment to share experiences and learn from others about shared or different interests. At Opwall we like to stay in touch with schools and individuals after the research season and will actively always try and help with any future.

 

 

Becoming an Opwall representative

We also offer promotional roles for people wanting to get involved either as a student or not. This is a great way to continue being involved with Opwall outside of the expedition season. Being a Post-Graduate, Group Leader or Promotional Person can help to start develop your professional self while also interacting with other individuals who share your interests – plus you get free Opwall merch and discounts towards a future expedition – it’s a total win-win!

 

Advice for writing

First drafts are often pretty rubbish!

A final version is often nothing at all like the first draft. This is because you’ll have spent time rewording, rejigging paragraphs and sentences and adding in bits you forgot at the beginning – but you’ll get there in the end. You could begin by jotting everything down on paper that you can think of, just write whatever your brain thinks of and then forming a draft from there (…this blog was not the first draft version).

 

Prompts. Reorder. Sentences.

A useful technique is to begin with is to just quick fire type prompt words, so that instead of spending time putting in all the information there and then, you can do it in your own time and the prompts will help you remember what you want to write about. Then as you change in prompt word into a sentence, your text begins to fill up and before long you’ll have a full page and wonder where all that brain power came from! Often writing about one subject will trigger another topic in your head, so instead of forgetting it write it somewhere and carry on with what you were writing to come back to it later. Then once you have all the text it is much easier to cut and paste sentences to reorder the flow of text.

 

 

Tailor each application

While it is a good idea to have a basic CV and cover letter as a shell, make sure to check and edit them for each application specification. If you’re applying for similar roles you will be able to use much of the same text – but research the organisation and pick out specifics that link yourself to them. This shows the organisation you took the time to make your application individual to them.

We hope that past and future expedition attendees are able to appreciate the value of your time with us and that it aids the chances of reaching your dream job – happy applying!

 

 

Title photo by Brittany Clark