Moving into environmental or more positive work
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm currently a project manager in engineering, mainly oil and gas type work. I was thinking of trying to move into something more environmental. Wildlife conservation, coastal erosion, etc. Basically I've decided if I'm going to be stressed out trying to deliver something, I'd want it to at least be worthwhile. Stop the Norfolk coast eroding/save some badgers etc as opposed to helping some shareholder I've never met buy a slightly bigger yacht.
I have a Prince2 project management qualification and a degree in mechanical engineering, I was looking at maybe doing an A-Level in Environmental science, but I also saw a NEBOSH environmental course, which seems a bit more career-focussed, albeit a bit more in the heath, safety and environmental ISO area than flat out environment. Not against looking at renewables (though it wouldn't be my first choice) or something like English Heritage/National trust etc.
Just something where I feel like I've made a positive impact.
I was wondering if anyone had advice specifically on what sort of qualifications would be worth investing in to make the change and anything more generally related to what I want to do.
I'm currently a project manager in engineering, mainly oil and gas type work. I was thinking of trying to move into something more environmental. Wildlife conservation, coastal erosion, etc. Basically I've decided if I'm going to be stressed out trying to deliver something, I'd want it to at least be worthwhile. Stop the Norfolk coast eroding/save some badgers etc as opposed to helping some shareholder I've never met buy a slightly bigger yacht.
I have a Prince2 project management qualification and a degree in mechanical engineering, I was looking at maybe doing an A-Level in Environmental science, but I also saw a NEBOSH environmental course, which seems a bit more career-focussed, albeit a bit more in the heath, safety and environmental ISO area than flat out environment. Not against looking at renewables (though it wouldn't be my first choice) or something like English Heritage/National trust etc.
Just something where I feel like I've made a positive impact.
I was wondering if anyone had advice specifically on what sort of qualifications would be worth investing in to make the change and anything more generally related to what I want to do.
If you're looking at any of the public sector bodies, qualifications don't count for anything so don't worry about that. Consultancies perhaps may be more interested in qualifications.
Also, coastal erosion = managed retreat. i e. No-one wants to do anything about it and won't be any time soon. You're better off focussing on flood defences which is more of a government priority.
Also, coastal erosion = managed retreat. i e. No-one wants to do anything about it and won't be any time soon. You're better off focussing on flood defences which is more of a government priority.
Do you want to stay uk based? That’s the most limiting factor imo, lots more ngo type roles become available otherwise. Also lots of interesting green energy projects happening in Europe. Synhelion, climeworks, Stegra, etc.
Norfolk based, renewables seems an easy in, and surely has to be more interesting than hse.
Maybe look at uk based development funds as well. I’m currently dealing with one for a solar project in Africa, their PMO is in London. energy and water projects can have massive impact. Where I am, less than 30% of the population has access to electricity.
Norfolk based, renewables seems an easy in, and surely has to be more interesting than hse.
Maybe look at uk based development funds as well. I’m currently dealing with one for a solar project in Africa, their PMO is in London. energy and water projects can have massive impact. Where I am, less than 30% of the population has access to electricity.
The aviation sector is struggling with the environmental challenges it faces.
This is a good place to start.
https://caainternational.com/course/aviation-and-t...
This is a good place to start.
https://caainternational.com/course/aviation-and-t...
This is a pond I paddle in.
The really interesting stuff is happening overseas, particularly in developing and transition nations. In Europe, you have several nations working towards EU membership requiring adoption of EU principles (known as the EU EU acquis) across many aspects, not least of which is Environmental Reform and Energy. Further afield, a lot attention is being focused upon the Caribbean, SE Asia and East Africa.
The primary fields of priority are waste management/circular economy, sanitation, biodiversity preservation, sustainable energy and green infrastructure.
There's opportunities to relocate to these places for a few months as well as remote work with the occasional visit. Lots of consultancy work if you fancy flying solo but opportunities for employed status too.
Most of the international projects are financed via International Development Finance institutions (World Bank, EBRD, UN, etc). UK based companies that operate in this field worth looking at are Stantec, Mott MacDonald, RWA Group. In Europe you have the likes of GFA Consulting, Fichtner and others.
The thing with international work is that you get to see positive differences being made as a result of your work. You get to visit really interesting places that you wouldn't otherwise get to visit. But, it does require a certain boldness to venture into some of these places and the nature of the contracting landscape can become necessarily bureaucratically burdensome.
Closer to home, worth looking at those Local Authorities implementing Green Infrastructure Principles and Standards. These are measures that ensure developments take into account biodiversity net gain, access to green spaces, green corridors, flood protection, etc. There's also a lot of really interesting things being done around Climate Adaptation, supporting farmers to adapt to new crops (I was at a farm near Harwich the other week that is a year away from having the UK's first commercially viable Olive plantation!).
O&G is a good jumping off point. You'll no doubt be aware that the sector is itself investing heavily in renewables and other environmentally focused endeavours. Perhaps first look at what's happening within your immediate professional sphere and look to use that as the transition to wider things later on.
PM me if you want some additional pointers.
Unless you're looking for litter picking work at the county park, academic or vocational qualification is a prerequisite for any meaningful role in this sector; public authority or private.
The really interesting stuff is happening overseas, particularly in developing and transition nations. In Europe, you have several nations working towards EU membership requiring adoption of EU principles (known as the EU EU acquis) across many aspects, not least of which is Environmental Reform and Energy. Further afield, a lot attention is being focused upon the Caribbean, SE Asia and East Africa.
The primary fields of priority are waste management/circular economy, sanitation, biodiversity preservation, sustainable energy and green infrastructure.
There's opportunities to relocate to these places for a few months as well as remote work with the occasional visit. Lots of consultancy work if you fancy flying solo but opportunities for employed status too.
Most of the international projects are financed via International Development Finance institutions (World Bank, EBRD, UN, etc). UK based companies that operate in this field worth looking at are Stantec, Mott MacDonald, RWA Group. In Europe you have the likes of GFA Consulting, Fichtner and others.
The thing with international work is that you get to see positive differences being made as a result of your work. You get to visit really interesting places that you wouldn't otherwise get to visit. But, it does require a certain boldness to venture into some of these places and the nature of the contracting landscape can become necessarily bureaucratically burdensome.
Closer to home, worth looking at those Local Authorities implementing Green Infrastructure Principles and Standards. These are measures that ensure developments take into account biodiversity net gain, access to green spaces, green corridors, flood protection, etc. There's also a lot of really interesting things being done around Climate Adaptation, supporting farmers to adapt to new crops (I was at a farm near Harwich the other week that is a year away from having the UK's first commercially viable Olive plantation!).
O&G is a good jumping off point. You'll no doubt be aware that the sector is itself investing heavily in renewables and other environmentally focused endeavours. Perhaps first look at what's happening within your immediate professional sphere and look to use that as the transition to wider things later on.
PM me if you want some additional pointers.
xx99xx said:
If you're looking at any of the public sector bodies, qualifications don't count for anything so don't worry about that.
That is entirely wrong.Unless you're looking for litter picking work at the county park, academic or vocational qualification is a prerequisite for any meaningful role in this sector; public authority or private.
StevieBee said:
That is entirely wrong.
Unless you're looking for litter picking work at the county park, academic or vocational qualification is a prerequisite for any meaningful role in this sector; public authority or private.
As a recruiting manager in the public sector, I can tell you it isn't 'entirely' wrong. It maybe partially wrong in that not the entire public sector operate in this way. But a lot of the organisations do and the thing that carries most weight is competency/capability i.e. passing a competency based interview.Unless you're looking for litter picking work at the county park, academic or vocational qualification is a prerequisite for any meaningful role in this sector; public authority or private.
To do well at a competency based interview you usually need experience, rather than qualifications.
Granted some engineering (civil, mech, electrical) roles may like you to be chartered but job ads will also often say 'be willing to work towards chartership'. The public sector cannot afford to be too picky as they struggle to recruit as it is.
Giantt said:
Bat shed design/ manufacture?
Got to say working for contractors on these kind of environmental jobs,the client reps are some of the most clueless, useless I've dealt with,and that's after 20+ years on Network Fail jobs,but....they're/ their pronouns are all in order/ correct
Funny enough, I did go to school with a girl who is now a batologist. That may or may not be the technical term.Got to say working for contractors on these kind of environmental jobs,the client reps are some of the most clueless, useless I've dealt with,and that's after 20+ years on Network Fail jobs,but....they're/ their pronouns are all in order/ correct
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