Advice for any young person interested in our natural world

Follow your own dreams

Do not live someone else’s dream. Remember why you are doing what you’re doing. Having a mentor and being a pawn are two totally different things. Conservation, environmentalism, ecology or whatever you choose to call it, is a passion. Most people who are working in these areas are there to build their dreams. Majority are going to retire when they die. There is clearly not a retirement age when you are busy here ensuring our biodiversity thrives. For instance, David Attenborough is 92 years of age. 92 and he is still in the natural world arena. Probably one of the best broadcasters we have had in this decade. Here in Kenya, we have seen conservationists and environmental advocates die beyond the normal retirement age still doing what they love

What is stopping you from living your dreams? You can still work for someone and live your dream on the side. Start an organization that focuses on environmental education. Start your own consultation company on the side. If you are still unemployed and have immense passion for our environment, no one is stopping you from going to a school and requesting to educate them on environmental issues. You have the skills, use it. You are still young and have enough energy.

“If you don’t build your dream someone will hire you to help build theirs.” ― Tony Gaskins

Conservation politics is real

It’s not a topic to be afraid of. You just need to be aware. You can choose to be involved or alienate yourself entirely from it. If you want answers, go right ahead. But before you do, do some serious research. Sometimes what is said isn’t entirely true or false. Also, despite the existence of what is, this shouldn’t stop you from being different.

Remember, it’s not about elephants, rhinos and lions. It is bigger than this. Do what you can do to change the situation for those who will be coming after you.

Grow yourself and show interest

Don’t just stop at that one diploma or that degree. You don’t even have to do your degree or masters immediately after you are done. Growing yourself means constantly learning about everything from climate change, to ecological concepts and biodiversity in general. Never stop learning. Take short courses online. If you can do field courses, which are plenty and range from ornithology to herpertology to ornithology, go ahead.

You cannot sustain in this field if all you do is wait to be taught. Whenever a great opportunity comes to go further, take it. Lectures are not enough.

Get a mentor

Mentors are important. Not only do they guide you, they inspire you. Be fearless in approaching experts for help. This also goes with networking. Build your net worth. It’s not about the money, it’s about the people you interact with who will build you and inspire you to do greater things. Attend events, conferences and forums. Be proactive. You never know whom you will meet. It’s so easy to propel your career when you know the right people or them knowing you.

It’s not in your power

To change the things you can’t. Nature is amazing and very unpredictable. This in itself is an inspiration to let it be. Most of the species that we have today existed even before we came into this world. Extinction is inevitable but we can also prevent it.

You will love every bit of it

“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” – Marc Anthony

It will be tough. It will be dusty. The sun doesn’t like you. The rain will be hard on you. Office work gets too boring. All in all, it is an adventure. Don’t stop. If it doesn’t work this way, try another way. Always keep trying but don’t expect to make it in one day. It takes years to be recognized if you keep up the good work. Be consistent, persistent and patient. Choose something that you enthusiastically enjoy. Stay hungry and always feel like you are just getting started. There is no end.

Do you have any advice for a young person? Share them in the comments section.

This article was first published on www.nyikasilika.org.