Information on global environmental careers, both in print and online, is messily scattered and most is very out of date. Most information is either UK‐centric or aimed at US career hunters. There are few resources available that outline in an organised and selective manner what sectors are available and how to get a job in those sectors. A very high proportion of roles and internships in some sectors are not advertised externally and some are only visible on specialised blogs or mailing lists.
Many online resources are just jobs boards, with no supporting information for a career hunter. Where there is careers information, it is often out of date and limited in scope. Even the most promising online resources are hard to find and are not securely funded, often depending on short term charitable funding.
In the current maturing environment sector, there are clearer routes to environmental jobs, and careers services have more computing and search power in their hands to advise on the sector, although careers services worldwide tend to be under appreciated and under resourced. In addition, the internet has helped with job and information finding, but it has also caused a decline in information quality and a clogged internet of old ideas and urban myths.
National governments have supported numerous jobs websites in order to encourage growth in the sector. In the United States, the Government‐supported website Careeronestop (www.careeronestop.org) aims to provide comprehensive careers information in a similar way to the National Careers Service in England (www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk). However, because these websites are a ‘catch all’, finding the information required and then jobs available in the sector can become an exhausting process.
The global environment sector is growing rapidly and there are millions of roles which are open to those who can use the right resources to get them into the sector. Competition for environment sector jobs is very fierce and job hunters need the right advice, resilience and ‘stickability’. Rapid change in the sector leaves career professionals playing catch up in terms of being supportive to job seekers.
1.7 So Where Do I Start?
There is a blinding amount of information available, some of which will be helpful and much which will take you in circles. There are some fundamental tasks which you should undertake. The tasks below are not in a specific order and some are less relevant to those at different stages of their career.
Tasks for those before ‘working age’:
1 Do research into the sector. Do you have personal interests that make you want to develop a green career, such as nature watching, fishing or conservation volunteering? Look at roles within the sectors that are relevant to your interests and see what skills, education and knowledge they need. Sign up to relevant newsletters and news services.
2 Consider voluntary work and look at organising relevant work experience – this can help with applications for further education as well as looking good on a CV or resume. It also can assist you in developing skills and knowledge, which are helpful in any career, let alone a green career.
3 Consider what school and college choices give you options to develop a green career.
4 Use social media as a tool for information gathering, as well as a way to develop networks of contacts. Getting into the habit of developing and maintaining a network is sensible.
Tasks for those of ‘working age’:
1 Sign up to jobs email and update services and link up with jobs agencies. Even if you are new to the sector or have minimal qualifications and experience, it is worth getting to know the sector deeply. If you have a specific area of interest, ‘immerse’ yourself in the subject through newsletters and other news services.
2 Review your current situation and organise your CV or resume. Many roles ask for specific knowledge and qualifications, so this will help you target your search and consider future training and education. There are many books and websites that focus on CV and resume styles. There are also many experts that may be willing to help you.
3 Consider using social media and professional networks that are helpful. On LinkedIn, there are relevant networks which include Environmental Careers Network, Sustainability Career Group, Green, Environmental Consulting Professionals and Green Jobs & Career Network.
4 Is there a mentor who can help you? Mentoring is growing in scope and not just for people already within a company mentoring scheme. LinkedIn have a scheme for mentoring.
Tasks for those who want to transition into a green career:
1 Transitioning is not necessarily a major career change for many, merely a migration into the area using current skill sets. Use online tools to see what roles you can move into and review your skills and CV or resume to consider what elements would be helpful for a green career. Look at job adverts for roles that would interest you and develop your skills to match their requirements.
2 Consider additional training to help you fit into the right career.
Each section of this book has information on training and helpful resources in that sector.
1.8 Volunteering
Many careers in the sector started through volunteering for organisations such as nature trusts, conservation NGOs (Non‐Government Organisations) and other small bodies. Volunteering is an option for graduates to build up skills and knowledge, as well as for those who are pre‐University. There are also many organisations specifically focusing on volunteering. The table below lists many organisations where you can volunteer, and in addition some offer summer jobs, placements, internships and full‐time employment. Some volunteering is organised commercially, so this may not be free of cost. There have been concerns raised at the growth of paid‐for volunteering and unpaid internships.
Sarah Bell (2015) wrote her Master’s Degree thesis on volunteer tourism in the ‘conservation’ industry, and her paper gives a helpful insight into the motivations for conservation volunteering.
The Guardian (2017) highlighted concerns over paid and free volunteering and noted:
a depressingly similar story: serial unpaid internships, crippling student debt, short‐term work for little or no pay, dismissive attitudes, and entry‐level job requirements that include expectations of considerable field time and experience…Exacerbating the dismal job market is this trend of graduates becoming stuck in full‐time unpaid internships or long‐term volunteering.
The hope is that volunteering and internships will be a positive rather than exploitative experience.
Box 1.2 Volunteering Opportunities in the Environment
Adventures in Preservation
Different ‘adventures’ for volunteering projects for students to get involved in, in different locations across Europe. Support provided too through staff to endure safety and enjoyment of those on placements
www.adventuresinpreservation.org
BC Parks, Canada