You're considering a career in environmental consulting. What do you need to know before you start?

1 What do environmental consultants do?

Environmental consultants work on projects that address various environmental issues, such as air quality, water quality, soil contamination, waste management, climate change, biodiversity, and renewable energy. They may conduct assessments, audits, surveys, tests, and analyses to evaluate the environmental impact of a client's activities, products, or services. They may also provide advice, recommendations, and solutions to help the client meet environmental standards, reduce risks, and enhance performance. Environmental consultants may work for consulting firms, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, or private companies.

3 What are the benefits and challenges of environmental consulting?

Environmental consulting can provide a range of advantages, such as working on projects that are meaningful and contribute to environmental protection, having a variety of tasks and clients that keep your work stimulating, learning new skills and knowledge through professional development, and opportunities to travel and work in different locations. However, environmental consulting can also present some challenges such as high pressure and tight deadlines from clients and regulators, complex and uncertain environmental problems that may not have clear solutions, balancing multiple projects that may require long hours and frequent travel, ethical dilemmas or conflicts of interest from working with different clients and stakeholders, and competition with other consultants for contracts.

4 How do you get started in environmental consulting?

For those interested in becoming an environmental consultant, it is important to be aware of the competitive and demanding nature of the field. To get started, you should build your academic foundation by taking relevant degrees and courses in environmental science, engineering, or related disciplines. It is also beneficial to gain practical experience by volunteering, interning, or working on environmental projects with organizations or agencies that offer environmental consulting services. Additionally, developing your network by joining professional associations and connecting with mentors and peers who work in environmental consulting can be beneficial. Furthermore, creating a resume, cover letter, and website that showcase your skills, qualifications, and achievements in environmental consulting is important. Lastly, researching potential employers and preparing for interviews and assessments can help you apply for jobs successfully.

5 How do you advance your career in environmental consulting?

To succeed and progress in environmental consulting, it's important to deliver quality work that meets or exceeds client expectations, follows industry standards and best practices, and adheres to ethical principles. Additionally, you should seek feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and clients. Furthermore, you should pursue opportunities by taking on new or challenging projects, expanding your scope of services, and exploring different sectors and markets. Additionally, it's important to update your skills and knowledge by enrolling in courses, workshops, or webinars, obtaining certifications or licenses, and staying abreast of environmental trends and innovations. Finally, you can build your reputation by publishing your work, presenting at conferences, or participating in forums and establishing yourself as an expert or a leader in your field.