I Had a Terrible Marine Conservation Volunteering Experience. Here's How to Avoid my Mistakes.

Ep 010: Earlier this year, I went to volunteer with a marine conservation organization in the Bali area of Indonesia... and within three days of arriving, I had quit. This episode is the story of what happened, and more importantly, what I learned from it, so you don't have to make the same mistakes I did.This episode is really about something bigger than any one organization. It's about how to vet a volunteering program before you commit your time and money, what red flags to actually take seriously, how to listen to your gut once you're there, and how to walk away when you need to. The marine conservation field needs more volunteers, but it needs you to be safe, supported, and treated with respect. Let's talk about how to make that more likely.In this episode, you'll learn:How to vet a marine conservation organization beyond their website and curated reviewsWhy a real conversation (Zoom ideally, phone at minimum) is non-negotiable before you commit moneyWhich pre-arrival red flags really matter, and why slow communication is information, not just an annoyanceWhy a nonprofit is still a business, and what good operational standards look likeHow to tell what your experience will be by watching how leaders treat the people already thereWhen and how to quit, even after you've paid and traveledHow to hold onto your own professional standards when you're being pressured to do things differentlyWhy a shared mission doesn't automatically mean shared values, and how to spot the differenceImportant note: I'm not naming the organization in this episode. I believe everyone trying to do marine conservation work has good intentions, even when execution falls short, and this isn't a podcast about tearing other people down. But if you're considering volunteering with a marine conservation program in the Bali area and you're worried it might be the one I'm describing, please reach out to me privately. DM me on Instagram or send an email, and I'll happily talk it through with you one-on-one.EPISODE SHOW NOTES (click for all the links!)Looking to break into the world of marine conservation, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you! Download my free resource, the Aspiring Marine Conservationist’s toolkit at caseysnook.com/toolkit and start making waves in your career today 🌊Podcast websiteCasey's Instagram - @caseysnook_Podcast Instagram - @thisismarineconservationSay hello! Contact Casey here.SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf you loved this episode, it’d mean the world if you took a moment to subscribe and leave a review and/or rating wherever you’re listening! Your support helps this podcast reach more ocean lovers and aspiring marine conservationists just like you. Thank you!