Hi Kate,

Thank you for reaching out to Cancer and Careers. I’m sorry to hear you’re having a difficult time landing a role. I’m going to send along this message to one of our career coaches who may be able to provide further insight into the current market and if there are any trends they’ve noticed that may benefit you.

In the meantime, it does sound like you’re doing all the right things – networking, expanding your interests, pursuing additional certificates. To be frank, it’s a tough time for job seekers, the timeline for the process itself unfortunately continues to extend longer with so much instability in the economy and market. However, with that said, people are still getting jobs, it just may take some more pivots, relationship building, etc.

Have you tried any volunteer work at organizations you’d be interested in working for? That is often beneficial in a number of ways, as it can connect you with potential employers, allow you the opportunity to show off your skillset, and also provide you the opportunity for a firsthand perspective of the company and how it treats its employees. Other ways to potentially get a foot in the door is perhaps exploring more temporary options. For instance, identifying roles that are maternity leave coverage may give you the chance to do the work you want to do and letting you make your mark so that if something does open up or perhaps, they appreciate your work they may create a role for you. These of course are not guarantees but it can help to think a bit outside of the box in these circumstances, just to weigh options and see what is feasible.

If you have any questions or would like additional information or resources, please feel free to reach out to cancerandcareers@cew.org.

Warm regards,

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

Assistant Director of Programs

Cancer and Careers

Thank you for sharing your experience and persistence during this challenging time. It sounds like you’re taking many of the right steps—networking, updating your resume, and exploring certifications. Staying flexible and open to different opportunities, like volunteer work or temporary roles, can sometimes open unexpected doors. Wishing you strength and success in your job search and career pivot!

Hi Kate,

I agree with Nicole's observation that you are doing so many of the right things. I would keep learning, gaining credentials, and networking. I thought that it would be helpful if I share some ideas about sectors and jobs that may appeal to you given your landowner and conservation experience and passion about climate and sustainability. No doubt you have thought of some of these and conducted research so my hope is that I provide you with a few new potential paths to pursue.

State, county, and city agencies - climate resilence planner, watershed or land-use planner, urban forestry coordinator, or community resilience/hazard-mitigation specialist in planning, parks, water, and emergency management departments.

Private consulting firms - climate adaptation planner, climate risk consultant (especially land, flood, and wildfire risk), and community enagagement or stakeholder specialist on resilience projects.

ESG, corporate sustainability, and land-positive supply chains - ESG or sustainability manager, biodiversity/land-use program manager, sustainable sourcing or regenerative agriculture liaison, and stakeholder engagement lead for companies with forestry, agriculture, real estate, or infrastructure exposure.

Conservation NGOs evolving toward climate work (I know this is the sector you worked in) - climate adaptation program management, natural climate solutions (reforestation, wetland restoration), project leadership, head of landowner outreach for carbon, habitat, or payment-for-ecosystem-services initiatives.

Watershed councils, flood control districts, drinking water utilities, or wildfire-resilience collaboratives - they may be hiring professionals who understand easements, land management, and multi-stakeholder negotiations like you do.

Cooperative extension, community-based organizations, or universities - community engagement coordinators, climate or sustainability educators, program managers for farmer or landowner transition programs, or facilitators for just-transition and rural climate initiatives.

I don't know where you are based geographically and I realize that some of these jobs may not exist where you live.

Please write back if you have additional questions or comments.

Take care,

Julie