Raising a Daughter, Growing a Career

Finding My Place in Nature as a Young Parent 

Blog by UKY4N member Melissa Leech

Having a child halfway through your degree is probably not how everybody envisions their time at university, but that is what happened for me. At the beginning, despite how much I wanted my daughter, I felt a deep sadness that everything I had been working towards - a career in the wildlife and environmental sector - was over before it had begun. We’re often told, either directly or indirectly, that we must choose: be a dedicated, stay-at-home mum, or be independent and career driven. The reality is much more complicated than that. The challenge isn’t motherhood itself, but the way the environmental sector, and the wider world of work, is structured. 

Barriers to Entry

Breaking into the environmental sector is a challenge for many young people, even without additional responsibilities. As I approach graduation and plan my next steps, I have quickly realised early career roles often involve a lot of voluntary work, seasonal contracts, flexible hours, and relocation to remote areas. These roles are exciting and provide valuable experience but often require flexibility that isn’t always realistic for everyone. Fieldwork frequently takes place far from cities, where childcare options and support networks are limited. Your passion is often measured by how much unpaid work you’ve taken on, which simply isn’t an option when you have a family to support. 

Nature and Motherhood

Despite all the barriers, becoming a parent has also strengthened my love for nature. During the rough early months of postpartum that most mums will know all too well, getting outside was how I took care of myself. Short walks helped me clear my mind during a period that often felt overwhelming and lonely. Being surrounded by trees and birds gave me a sense of calm, and the fresh air just so happened to send my daughter straight to sleep so I could get that much needed 5 minutes of peace.  

(Re) Discovering Nature

Now, with a toddler by my side, being outdoors has become even more meaningful. Walks take longer because everything deserves attention. We must pause for every bird, every flower, and every pretty-looking twig that she usually later gifts to me or her grandparents. Her curiosity has reignited my appreciation for the often overlooked parts of nature and has reminded me exactly why I chose this career path - to leave the world a better place for future generations. Every decision we make today will shape the world she grows up in: whether the air she breathes will be clean, and whether she will still be able to observe the wildlife she loves so much. 

Building an Environmental Career as a Young Parent

If we truly want an inclusive environmental sector, we need to create pathways that are accessible to everyone, through paid entry level roles and flexible working. It isn’t impossible. Since becoming a parent, I’ve connected with an inspiring community of women online who have similar journeys, from parents at university to mothers already working in the wildlife sector. Seeing their achievements has reminded me there is space for me in this field, and if you’re also a parent thinking about going to university or considering a career change into the environmental sector, let this be your sign that you can do it. 

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An Article by UKY4N Volunteer Melissa Leech