I have been job hunting for a while, since my job due to start in May got cancelled due to the uncertainty of funding for my employer in the light of the pandemic. I get interviews and good feedback so I must be doing something right but no job yet. But it is a lonely journey. I reflect that with a PhD, experience in the field and some specialist skills like bird ringing and tagging I am in a fortunate position. What must it be like to be straight out of university, hunting for internships, unable to support yourself due to the lack of casual work available? How many young conservationists from poorer backgrounds, backgrounds where going into conservation isn't the norm will be lost to conservation? What is it like to have experience in conservation but have your funding dry up due to a lack of tourists? Funding is tight everywhere but is enough being done to nurture the conservation passion and dreams of those who are job searching in conservation? What can we do? and by we I don't mean me. I am happy to help, to share my wisdom, to teach but applying for jobs and preparing for interviews is a time consuming exercise and I don't have the mental strength and positivity for another solo attempt at anything. I mean what can WE do to protect the skills, creativity and passion of the next generation drying up in this drought. Yes they might have to wait to get paid employment in conservation, sadly that is nothing new, but with even volunteering difficult to access it is harder than ever to keep momentum. Are we doing everything we can? (the answer might be yes but I am hoping it isn't)