You're considering a career in environmental consulting. What are the most common paths you can take?

In environmental consulting, there are a few common paths you can take. One route is getting a degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field. From there, you can start as a field technician or junior environmental and work your way up. Another path is through a background in biology, chemistry, or geology which are often relevant to environmental consulting. Alternatively, if you have experience in policy or law, you could specialize in environmental regulations and compliance. Whichever path you choose, gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions is key to building your career in environmental consulting.

Dans le domaine du conseil en environnement, plusieurs voies s’offrent à vous : Spécialisation : Identifiez un domaine spécifique, tel que la qualité de l’eau, la gestion des déchets ou la restauration écologique. Acquérez une expertise pointue dans cette niche. Formation Avancée : Poursuivez des études supérieures ou obtenez des certifications liées à votre spécialisation. Cela renforcera votre crédibilité et votre attractivité sur le marché. Expérience Pratique : Acquérez de l’expérience via des stages ou des postes de débutant. C’est essentiel pour batir votre carrière. Réseau Professionnel : Connectez-vous avec d’autres professionnels du secteur. Le réseautage peut ouvrir des opportunités et élargir vos horizons.

A career does not start with education or experience; in my opinion, a career starts with a plan. The most important step is having a career plan. It is crucial as the first step to succeeding in any field. It provides a clear direction and helps set achievable goals, enabling you to focus your efforts and resources effectively. Additionally, a career plan offers a sense of purpose and motivation, guiding your decisions and helping you stay on track amidst challenges. Use it as a tool to be revised at least every 2 years.

A career in environmental consulting offers diverse paths for individuals passionate about sustainability. Starting with a relevant degree, professionals can specialize through advanced education and certifications, gaining practical experience and networking in the industry. Specializations range from air quality to regulatory compliance, with opportunities for entrepreneurship. Continuing education and strong project management skills are essential for success in this rewarding field.

In becoming an environmental consultant, first you have to hone your knowledge and skills through acquiring a degree in field of environmental science, engineering, hydrology, geology, biology and chemistry and further earn a degree in master's or doctoral or professional certification depending of what type and level of consulting you what to do. Some environmental consultants specialize in environmental impacts assessments (EIAs) which requires a specific set of skills and knowledge and others focus on renewable energy development, air/noise/water quality, hydrology/hydrogeology or water resources, masterplan/urban & rural development, etc.

Why limit yourself to the most common paths?! Leverage your unique experience and networks to drive a path for yourself that allows you to grow in consulting authentically! While common paths allow for shared understanding, as you grow your practice, it will be important for you to stand out, and have knowledge, skills, experience, and networks that are not only uniquely powerful and robust but allow you to grow further in natural ways that further cement what makes your own work critical in the space. This is where learning and growing your experience with others, while building your network through those experiences, is critical for your own brand.

I would also recommend attending seminars, forums or any other event that is discussing environmental issues. If there are any UNEP related events in your vicinity, that would be a great opportunity to boost your knowledge. Another way is to contact experts on platforms such as LinkedIn and seeking specific topics to discuss & clarify. I would love to have this kind of conversations but sadly all I get is employment & marketing requests!

It is better for entry-level graduates to work in contractor firms first before working in consultant firms. We could see more and handle more real issues at first hand when working on sites as contractors. In most cases we could manage it only when we are familiar with it.

Convertirse en una autoridad en el área es clave. Estar alineados con las necesidades del cliente y a medidas que más conflictos y problemas ayudes a solucionar más te buscarán. Generar empatía y confianza también es fundamental

Uma vantagem de ser um consultor ambiental é a oportunidade de trabalhar em uma variedade de projetos e quest?es, atendendo às necessidades e objetivos de diferentes clientes. No entanto, pode ser vantajoso considerar a possibilidade de se especializar em uma área específica que corresponda à sua paix?o, habilidades e à demanda do mercado. Por exemplo, você pode optar por focar em energia renovável, agricultura sustentável ou constru??o verde. Ao se especializar, você pode aumentar sua credibilidade, visibilidade e valor como consultor ambiental, destacando-se da concorrência. Também é possível criar um nicho único combinando sua experiência ambiental com outras disciplinas, como direito, economia ou educa??o.

A consultoria ambiental abrange uma ampla gama de áreas de atua??o, que v?o desde aspectos altamente técnicos, como modelagem ambiental do ar, solo e água, até quest?es estratégicas de governan?a ambiental. Ao observarmos a área de maneira simplificada, podemos identificar uma divergência principal entre esses diferentes nichos. Por um lado, temos as atividades técnicas que se concentram na análise detalhada e na aplica??o de métodos científicos para compreender e mitigar os impactos ambientais. Por outro lado, há os aspectos mais amplos da governan?a ambiental, que lidam com políticas, regulamenta??es e estratégias de gest?o ambiental em níveis macro, visando promover a sustentabilidade e a conserva??o dos recursos naturais.

I disagree unless you have gained a few years of experience. I’ve found small consulting firms prefer generalists, people that are adaptable and able to learn on the fly. Once you’ve tried your hand at a few roles or projects, you can specialise with more confidence.

In my experience, one of the most common paths in environmental consulting involves specializing in a specific niche. I believe that identifying and honing expertise in areas such as water quality, air pollution, waste management, or ecological restoration can set you apart in the field. I've found that pursuing advanced education or certifications related to your chosen specialization can further enhance your credibility and marketability. By focusing on a niche, you can develop deeper knowledge and skills, attract clients seeking specialized expertise, and carve out a successful career path in environmental consulting.

I've always been a huge fan of trying to understand, to some degree, the total picture and getting experience and exposure to as many pieces of the puzzle as possible. From there, you can start to figure out what pathways you like the most, and what pathways you should avoid at all costs. With that, you'll slowly start to find your niche and what you want to focus on the most. However, if anyone tells you that you need to specialize in just ONE THING, gone are the days where that's true. You can tap into a lot of different pathways, or heck, create your own! There's no limit when it comes to the world of consulting—only those you impose on yourself.

In my experience, entrepreneurship and innovation offer exciting paths in environmental consulting. I believe that starting your own consulting firm allows for creative solutions and autonomy in addressing environmental challenges. I've found that leveraging technology and embracing innovative approaches can differentiate your services and attract clients. Building a network and fostering collaborations with other professionals and organizations can also support entrepreneurial endeavors. By combining entrepreneurship with a passion for environmental stewardship, you can make a meaningful impact while pursuing a fulfilling career in environmental consulting.

Having a solid background in the Environmental field made me the EAP that I am today. I was trained by the best in the industry hence I am the best.

Por último, se você estiver se sentindo aventureiro e criativo, pode considerar empreendedorismo e inova??o como um consultor ambiental. Isso envolve iniciar seu próprio negócio de consultoria ambiental ou desenvolver um novo produto, servi?o ou solu??o para enfrentar um desafio ou aproveitar uma oportunidade ambiental. Por exemplo, você pode querer criar um software que auxilie os clientes a monitorar seu desempenho ambiental ou um dispositivo que reduza sua pegada de carbono. Embora o empreendedorismo e a inova??o possam ser gratificantes, também podem ser desafiadores e arriscados. é importante ter uma vis?o clara, um plano de negócios viável e uma fonte confiável de financiamento e suporte.

Staring my consulting firm was the best decision I've ever made. Is it exhausting, hard, stressful and chaotic most of the time? Yes. But the freedom, ability to choose who I want to work with, and delivering work that I'm proud of makes it worth it. However, this did not happen overnight. There was a lot of hard work building a very corporate career in the high rises of NYC before jumping off into my own little world. I encourage those considering starting a business to make sure you have proper training and experiences that enable you to say that you're an "expert" in something and can run a consulting business independently. As, you need to be a pro at the core of what you do to also juggle winning business and running the org.

Tive a boa sorte de ser ser sócio de uma empresa criada em uma incubadora júnior. Empreender nesse ramo é desafiador, exaustivo, mas também apaixonante. Empreender confere autonomia e liberdade para propor solu??es criativas. Requer um bom planejamento financeiro, no??es de gest?o, uma equipe engajada e bons parceiros.

I believe that passion and empathy toward nature are crucial for pursuing a career in the environmental field. One must have a genuine interest in the subject and can choose a related field accordingly. For instance, if someone enjoys technology, they could opt for environmental engineering. Alternatively, individuals keen on research might pursue a degree in environmental or climate science. Those inclined towards management could explore courses in sustainability management. Additionally, one can consider combining qualifications with environmental studies or specialize further in the field.

Are you in it for the mission or the money? Where you work, and who you work with, can vary widely and it is helpful to know your answer. For instance, "in it for the money" (and there's nothing wrong with that!) may mean looking at large consultancies like McKinsey, Deloitte, or Bain. These companies have specific standards, unique interviewing practices, and long work days countered by high compensation. If you're in it for the mission, you might be looking at more niche opportunities. This might mean bulking up on your content specific knowledge (rather than the general project management approaches bigger companies appreciate). It also likely means working with a smaller company and focusing on alignment rather than title or pay.

Environmental practice might be considered a noble profession. Where else are you asked to critically think about an action before you do it and how that may affect your grandkids? But remember too that we live in a world where noble thought may not rule the day and immediate gratification is of utmost importance. After near 40 years, folks continuously want to build stuff making money along the way; this means perhaps that as an environmental professional, you need to justify your existence. That is rewarding yet arduous and pay is not always what it might or should be to be a part of that world. Lots of good thoughts in others' input.

ESG is a buzz word that many are jumping on. Many organizations today greenwash as their primary focus is to provide investor returns. As a sustainability consultant you should be aware of the customer situation before taking on projects. Afterall you don't want to be the person that helped the organization greenwash. If your passion is to help the planet, be mindful of the impact you will have with your contributions. We need to find problems but also need to solve them. Understand your customers goals and mission. Understand clearly the importance of identifying scope 3 emissions. You will then be able to help the customer reach their goals while being transparent.

Seguem algumas dicas que dei em aulas, palestras e minicursos que ministrei : - Quanto antes você entender que há abismos entre a Academia e a Consultoria, mas que as duas áreas s?o complementares, melhor; - N?o tenha medo de errar, admitir os erros e pedir ajuda; - Mantenha seus documentos organizados; - Atue como auxiliar, encarregado (a) de campo ou monitor (a) em expedi??es; - Busque sempre trabalhar com seguran?a; - Invista no desenvolvimento de habilidades interpessoais e de inteligência emocional; - ética, responsabilidade e comprometimento; - Busque trabalhar em equipes multidisciplinares, em empresas que se preocupem com as quest?es de diversidade, inclus?o e equidade de gênero; - Se puder, empreenda!