World Wildlife Fund or similar careers

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know anyone who works there? Are they happy and do they feel like they're making a difference?

[Anonymous]

Not WWF, but I know several people working at the Nature Conservancy who are very happy with their work and impact there.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who has worked at WWF for years. She started out in an entry level position and has been relatively happy. She has had a lot of exciting travel opportunities, but I know that she was frustrated with her lack of upward movement within the organization and I think it goes without saying that she has never made very much money. However... she's also a stereotypical millennial, so ... I don't know if her complaints were valid or if this is just par for the course when you start out with this kind of job at a nonprofit. I do think that she thinks she is making a difference.

[Anonymous]

What were their degrees in? I would love to work at either of those. My degree is in communication. It just seems impossible to get a foot in the door.

[Anonymous]

If you want to get a job at an association it's not usually the mission that gets you in the job, it's the association experience. The structure of these orgs is pretty similar. When I worked for an environmental/animal org I was pretty disgusted to see how much waste there was in a 501c3.

[Anonymous]

PP, can you expand on that a little (about what you were disgusted with)? I am really curious to know.
And I'm not sure what you mean by at an "association" -- do you mean a nonprofit org?

[Anonymous]

I have heard mixed things about the organizational structure and leadership at WWF, but my info is also dated so I certainly would pursue it if there's an interesting opportunity.

I do, however, have almost 30 years of association/non-profit experience. Some are very well run and very effective, others are not. You have to do your due diligence and keep your eyes open, just as you would with any other job or organization.

[Anonymous]

I worked for Defenders of Wildlife as my first post-college job many years ago in communications and found the experience fulfilling, and I learned a lot. Even got a work trip to Glacier National Park!

I'm wondering if environmental groups are seeing a significant uptick in their contributions during the Trump administration, which might translate into more hiring.

[Anonymous]

PP, that sounds like a dream job for me. So jealous!

[Anonymous]

Defenders of Wildlife person here. It was basically an assistant job, which meant a lot of pretty boring administrative stuff. But I learned a lot about wildlife and working at nonprofits...and then I went to grad school.

I also later edited the magazine of an environmental group, which really was quite rewarding with a lot of autonomy and room for creativity, although it was also an enormous amount of work because it was chronically underfunded and understaffed, and eventually went under entirely.

[Anonymous]

How did you manage to land the Defenders of Wildlife job? Did you have experience or internships before getting it?

That's too bad about the magazine you edited. I hate when good organizations go under.

[Anonymous]

I'm 9:09 and also worked at Defenders in communications. Maureen, is that you?

[Anonymous]

How did you get the position? Did you know someone there or just apply to a job advert?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did you get the position? Did you know someone there or just apply to a job advert?

no one ever answers this question...

[Anonymous]

I am the first Defenders person, and I am not Maureen. I was there in the mid to late '80s, so a long time ago, well before Internet job searching. I think I saw an ad in the Washington Post, interviewed, called them and was a bit persistent, and got the job.