Tracking one of the world’s most elusive carnivores with the larger purpose of wildlife conservation, is a responsibility much bigger than a job or a career !
Rakhee Karumbaya, our next pathbreaker, works as Program Coordinator at The Snow Leopard Network, an international network that was established by the Snow Leopard Trust to facilitate the exchange of information and insights between individuals around the world for the purpose of snow leopard conservation.
Rakhee talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about how her fascination for the natural world galvanized her career transition from the hospitality sector to wildlife conservation !
For students, there is no simple formula for a career transition, its a combination of perseverance, standing your ground and not compromising on values.
Rakhee, tell us what were your initial years like?
I grew up in Papua New Guinea, as my father was an agriculturist, who guided smallholder land owners/developers, on how to grow their crops. I completed my Grade 12 in Queensland University, Australia and returned to India for my University degree, which I pursued and completed in English Literature, Public Administration and Journalism. I was always surrounded by nature and the natural environment and had a passion for swimming, snorkeling, sailing and trekking.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, Public Administration and Journalism.
What were some of the influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional and cool career?
My interest in the well-being of our natural environment and the effort and dedication of my peers to continuously research and conserve.
Some of my mentors were senior biologists and student’s in the field of nature education, ecology and conservation.
Having worked in the hospitality industry for a few years, I realized that this profession was not for me and I wanted to work in a space where I felt I was constructively contributing to a worthwhile effort.
When I saw the dedicated efforts and perseverance of many wildlife scientists, biologists and ecologists, working against all odds, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in conservation.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path
I was always eager to work in the hospitality industry, because a younger me was attracted to the glamour of the profession. I soon became very disillusioned with my job.
I started my career as a counsellor with Brilliants Computer Centre, worked with the Taj Group of Hotels as a management trainee and subsequently moved on to establish a very successful travel agency. I moved back to Papua New Guinea for a few years and then returned to India to begin this new and unexpected chapter in my life.
I was introduced to NCF (Nature Conservation Fund), Mysore, in 2005, by some friends who were a part of the Round Table. The job profile was for an assistant, but once interviewed, my role was created as the Programme Manager for the institution. I was responsible for supporting and establishing the administration and back-end support for our researchers and students, which included managing the budgets, grants and finances, supporting the field programs, stations and operations, assisting the establishment of our PhD program, communicating with our international and local donors, maintaining and updating our documentation and ensuring the institution operated in regulation with the required compliances.
After working at NCF for 4.5 years, I joined The Snow Leopard Trust, which is a partner organization of NCF. I was working closely with a Senior Scientist who was with the Trust. I gradually became more involved as an Executive Assistant, and moved on to work directly with the Trust and their international engagements and collaborations. I was based in Bangalore, India, and supported the work that was being carried out in conservation and research in the snow leopard range countries. My position mainly involved the administrative support for the team.
How did you get your first break?
I would attribute my career to building and establishing contacts with local and international wildlife NGOs, as well as a willingness to listen and learn, the motivation to be innovative, a never say no attitude and always believing that anything was possible.
At the onset of my professional career, I found opportunities via the classifieds in our leading dailies and kept applying for jobs/careers that interested me. Now our options are wider with many social media apps and websites.
I had moved back to Papua New Guinea in 1996, after my stint with hospitality and tourism in India. When I returned to India, I got this break into wildlife conservation and research with NCF, despite not having any background in this field. I would attribute this to my exposure overseas and my eagerness to do my best if presented with this role and opportunity.
My entry into the Snow Leopard Trust was purely due to the exposure and experience I gained in working with NCF.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Challenge 1: In the early stages of my career, being a young female posed a challenge, as jobs with alternate working hours and environments were not very conducive to women.
Challenge 2: A catch 22 situation presented itself wherein, employers wanted people who were experienced, but in order to begin a prospective career, one needed to get a job, without which no experience could be acquired or gained.
Challenge 3: Trying to begin a career, without compromising my standards or beliefs.
Addressing these issues were a combination of perseverance, standing my ground and not compromising on my values.
Where do you work now? Tell us about your current role
I work as the program coordinator of the Snow Leopard Network.
What problems do you solve?
The Snow Leopard Network is an international network that was established by the Snow Leopard Trust in 2002, to facilitate the exchange of information and insights between individuals around the world for the purpose of snow leopard conservation. Our membership includes snow leopard experts in the public, private and non-profit sectors. It strives to “link up to scale up”, I am based in Bangalore, India, and thereby enhance the impact of snow leopard conservation investments.
What skills are required in your role? How did you acquire the skills?
I needed good people skills, a competent command over the English language and the ability to use computer applications and social media. I acquired these skills while working in my position, learning from my peers and on the job.
What’s a typical day like?
In the present scenario, the network conducts many training initiatives and webinars that are of interest and benefit to our members, over zoom. We also maintain a bibliography – database of research and news publications, have an active blog and email list and also constantly keep our website up to date.
What is it you love about this job?
My constant interaction with people and raising awareness about the conservation and research programs that are being carried out worldwide. This makes my job very interesting.
How does your work benefit society?
The Snow Leopard Network was created to promote sound scientifically-based conservation of the endangered snow leopard through networking and collaboration between individuals, organizations, and governments. The SLN strives to establish and strengthen professional linkages for addressing the crucial issues affecting the survival of snow leopards and their prey species, and the livelihood opportunities of local people.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
Supporting our members with our online training initiatives and webinars about ongoing activities and research.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
Never give up, do not compromise on your ethics, integrity and beliefs, always be willing to learn, be truthful and dedicated in any career, give every opportunity/career your best. Do not doubt yourself.
Future Plans?
I would like to remain in this field of science and research for conservation and towards building more awareness.