Environmental Career Advice

Environmental scientists carry out research and monitoring services in a laboratory or in the field. In this role, you will analyse data, create reports, and provide advice on environmental issues such as pollution or human health and safety. You may also work in or assist professionals in planning, engineering, or construction or provide advice and support for policymakers.

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How to Work in the Environmental sector

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to get a job in Environmental

Should you wish to work in Environmental you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Environmental Job

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs (environmental health officer or environmental consultant)
  • 2 or 3 A levels (environmental health officer or environmental consultant)
  • University degree (environmental health officer or environmental consultant)

Core Environmental Skills

You will need relevant practical and technical skills for the environmental job you want. Apprenticeships and environmental graduate programs are available while some jobs can provide the majority of training and education as you work.

Working in the environmental sector will mean you have an interest in sustainability and environmental issues. Good team-working skills and physical fitness is essential for some jobs and a general business awareness or management experience can also be beneficial.

If you are looking for an interesting and rewarding career with exciting new opportunities, then you will find it with an environmental career.

Key Responsibilities for an Environmental Job

  • Providing scientific support for environmental projects
  • Assessing risks, impact, and threats
  • Creating environmental plans for government departments and construction project professionals
  • Collecting and analysing soil, water, and air samples for scientific examination
  • Producing presentations, technical reports, and research papers highlighting your findings
  • Communicating findings to people with different levels of understanding

What to expect in an Environmental Job

Environmental scientists are responsible for carrying out research and analysis. You will have a vital role and will require an understanding of issues such as pollution, deforestation, plant disease, and factors that may affect human, animal, or plant health. To find success, you should have an understanding of chemistry, geology, or biology and may have experience in environmental consulting, safety, hygiene, or health management.

Recommended Environmental Jobs

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How to get Environmental Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Environmental job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Environmental application. If you have not held an Environmental position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Environmental role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Environmental CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Environmental application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Environmental in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Environmental 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Environmental and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Environmental experience.

How to get Environmental Experience

What does it take to be an Environmental? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Environmental jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Environmental through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Environmental Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Environmental part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Environmental or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Environmental freelance work

If you have impressive Environmental qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.