SCIENCE | AREAS OF WORK
Environmental Science Professionals in this industry ensure businesses are environmentally sustainable.
A
l l p ro fe s s i o n a l s i n t h e environmental science sector work towards the broad goal of achieving environmental sustainability by taking on different roles across numerous industries. They may be responsible for any number of tasks, including writing research papers, studying the environmental impacts of human activity, drafting programmes to reduce emissions, acting as public relations liaisons, collecting samples and enforcing regulations on emissions.
Career overview Environmental consultants and managers are in demand in diverse sectors, and advise businesses on ways to reduce their environmental repercussions, as well as develop and oversee impact reduction strategies. In a nutshell, their primary purpose is to ensure that companies comply with the current legislation and act as a liaison with regulatory agencies. Large corporations committed to being eco-friendly often hire environmental officers to conduct eco-office audits, as well as run workshops and training for their employees. Private consultancy firms are also often hired to conduct thirdparty Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on projects where manufacturing factories need to monitor and reduce emissions and waste.
38
STEM Career Guide 2022
Outside of the private sector, the government employs environmental officers to monitor and enforce regulations to ensure a healthy environment for all, and they’re typically responsible for conducting inspections, collecting samples, writing reports and ensuring that regulations are followed. There are also a number of research institutions that conduct independent studies on the climate, monitor the environment and propose new programmes and policies that protect the environment. Graduate hopefuls looking to work in this industry will soon face the reality that some duties can be similar to that of a scientist’s work, such as going to the field, collecting samples, analysing them and interpreting the data to determine if there has been excess emissions or waste, contamination or pollution. From there, they may have to produce a report or present their findings, and come up with a plan to mitigate the environmental impact.
Trends and developments Employment in this sector grows at a faster rate than average compared to other industries, largely due to increased public awareness about climate change and other major environmental issues in recent years. In addition, the political landscape is also now more receptive to climate change, along with what needs to be done to improve on it.
Career highlight Meaningful work The work done by environmental science professionals greatly impacts the health of the surrounding environment, and professionals, regardless of their sectors and positions, all take immense pride in playing a key role in ensuring that emissions and waste are kept to safe and to environmentally-sustainable standards.
Required skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills • Collaborative skills • Critical thinking and problemsolving skills • Keen observation skills
