The United Nations

“Errrrm so what would be your dream job?”

This wasn’t a question from the careers officer at school. No this was a question that was thrown at me three years ago when I announced I was going back to uni to study primates. It came from friends; colleagues; family and complete strangers.

“It’s a bit niche isn’t it?”, “How will that help you get work?”, “What does that have to do with the news?”

All legitimate questions.

The masters was a route that saved me from insanity when I experienced boredom and bitterness in equal measure when shifts were verging on extinction. It was also amazing to use the grey matter once more; engage with like-minded people and learn something new about issues that will affect generations to come.

“Gaaawd, I dunno,” I stuttered out every time. “There’s the obvious route, get the masters, continue with academia and eventually inherit Sir David Attenborough’s job. Who doesn’t want to travel the globe as a conservation broadcaster? But I guess the queue for that is longer than the bloody Nile.

“But if there were no barriers …….and no conditions ……..hmmmm……then I guess  my dream would be to work in some capacity for the United Nations.”

Fast-forward three years on and if by magic I am gearing up to fly off to Jackson Hole, Wyoming next week for the United Nations. I had to pinch myself when the email arrived in my in-box. It must have been how Charlie Bucket felt when he found Willy Wonka’s last Golden Ticket.

Now some of you will thinking: “Whoa there little lady what happened to your Science Reporter role at Channel 4 News?”

It didn’t work out. I was deeply unhappy. Shame really as I had high hopes and loved the team there. But the signing of a new editor with a different agenda and change in management equated to misery for me. That’s show business!

Let’s not dwell on it, I haven’t. This summer I have soaked up the sun and launched into freelancing with surprising ease.

So now back to my bombshell news – the United Nations!

I’ve been asked on behalf of the Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP) and the Arcus Foundation to moderate one session (on habitat loss) during a Great Ape Summit and to act as an in-house reporter filing content for its website and you-tube page.

The four-day summit is running simultaneously with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. Six hundred or so documentary makers are gathering to show the fruits of their labour on every creature great and small. Plus names from conservation and science will also be gathering there and it will be a huge privilege to have close access to interview them.

I’m flying out with my dear friend, cameraman and amazing video editor Noodle. Having him on board as a 2-man band has helped to ease the anxiety and increase the excitement, because for one week I will be living my dream!