With Recycling Week taking place from the 17th-23rd October, it’s a great time for graduates to explore many of the interesting roles that an environmental career offers. 

Climate change and environmental protection are at the forefront of global concerns, it’s no surprise that studying the impact of climate change, and pursuing a career in the environmental industry is popular for today’s graduates. With businesses and universities more committed to promoting sustainability and creating greener jobs, there’s never been a better time to research sustainable career options.

This article outlines the career options available across the environmental industry, and in various roles within professions and companies. It will look how to get started in a sector you’re passionate about to help you follow a professional path towards protecting the future health of the planet.

Growing commitment to sustainability

The UK government has paved the way for greener roles and encouraged businesses across various sectors to increasingly prioritise sustainability. The UK’s ongoing commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 welcomed a wave of widespread changes and policy measures, and activated the growth of greener roles across multiple industry settings. 

In every way, the economic benefits of supporting sustainable practices in businesses and cost savings and the competitive advantage of being a company with strong environmental credentials is recognised more and more by young people coming into the job market. This shift has created new roles and opportunities as businesses move towards a ‘circular economy’, widen their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, and measure their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) sustainability performances.

Rewarding environmental careers

From being a Recycling Engagement Officer, to an Agronomist advising farmers on soil health, there are a variety of diverse green careers to choose from. You might consider working in areas like environment and land, science and engineering, or choose from a range of roles in a profession you’re currently studying or have already got qualifications and experience.

In general, the environmental sector encompasses many areas, from combating the negative impact of climate change to preserving biodiversity, and conserving ecosystems. Other roles might support sustainable resource management, and professionals across the environmental industry are at the forefront of creating a more sustainable future.

The environmental sector also appeals and caters to various interests and skill sets, with some of the most sought-after roles including:

1. Environmental Consultant
2. Sustainability Manager
3. Renewable Energy Engineer
4. Conservation Scientist
5. Environmental Policy Analyst
6. Climate Change Analyst
7. Environmental Lawyer
8. Sustainable Architect
9. Urban Planner
10. Environmental Economist

These roles represent a diverse range of environmental and sustainability-focused careers across different sectors. Meanwhile, small and large businesses are implementing eco-friendlier changes to show their dedication to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Both small- and large-scale measures. Whether it’s environmental printers committed to sustainable practices, or international corporations rolling out regular recycling programmes. 

Researching eco-conscious graduate roles 

An important step is to research all your career options and think about whether you’re more interested in tackling climate change, or in helping to protect ecosystems, reduce pollution, or develop innovative solutions for a greener planet. Careers in the environmental sector tend to fall into three main categories:

1. Agriculture – finding new, eco-friendlier ways to grow crops and protect the health of livestock. This also involves developing scientific and sustainable farming strategies to control pests with minimal chemical use.
2. Environment – including air quality, conservation, environmental assessment, environmental science, sustainable development, waste management, lowering chemical usage in pools or preserving water quality in the UK’s natural bodies of water.
3. Sustainability – encompasses all businesses that work to reduce their impact on the environment by conserving resources, using renewable energy sources, and minimising pollution. 

If you’re not 100% sure what you’d like to do, a career in the environmental sector can range from tackling climate change or you can approach companies that care about the environment. 

Why choose a career in the environmental industry?

With climate change and the environment on the global political, social, and economic radar, there are several reasons why graduates are increasingly drawn to environmental careers. First of all, the significance of sustainability has never been greater within UK businesses and the demand for greener job creation has surged. Today, there are many big-name companies pioneering sustainable careers across every sector, from fintech and fashion to renewable energy and retail. 

A green job is arguably in demand because it is meaningful and it matters to graduates and employers alike. Not only is it purpose-driven work and fulfilling, sustainability is and will remain a pressing issue. For this reason, the timing to enter this field as a graduate couldn’t be better. As the demand grows for green jobs, so do the salaries for skilled professionals. In addition, if you are someone who finds innovation exciting, the field encourages creative problem-solving and cutting-edge technologies on top of spanning industries like science, policy-making, business, and education.

Boosting your CV for an environmental career

For graduates looking to enhance their employability in the environmental sector, there are numerous ways to gain relevant experience and learn more about green jobs and the skills you’ll need to get into the role you’re most passionate about. 

Before you apply for a job, consider some voluntary initiatives, work placements, further qualifications, and internships you might want to organise to boost your CV and strengthen your application. Here are some options:

1. Volunteer for local recycling initiatives or community clean-up events.
2. Organise recycling drives in your university or neighbourhood.
3. Look for any eco-friendly work placements at companies.
4. Pursue additional qualifications in areas like environmental management or sustainable business practices.
5. Attend talks, workshops, and short courses on specific environmental topics.
6. Consider postgraduate options in environmental sciences or sustainable development.

By combining academic knowledge with practical experience and a demonstrated commitment to environmental causes, graduates can position themselves as strong candidates for roles in the environmental industry. So, to mark Recycling Week this month, find out what you can do to get involved and sign up to eco-friendly initiatives nearby that might be great to add to your environmentally-focused CV.

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Thank you to Dakota for writing this blog!

Dakota Murphey is an established freelance writer who regularly contributes to a number of authoritative resources online. She specialises in eCommerce, Digital Business, Marketing, Public Relations, Human Resources, Company Growth and Cybersecurity.

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