PEWA Qld: Women in Environmental Science and Engineering: Emerging Career Opportunities

Last week the Professional Environmental Women’s Association - QLD Queensland division were proud to present the Women in Environmental Science and Engineering: Emerging Career Opportunities event. The evening was hosted by the 澳大利亚昆士兰大学 Sustainable Minerals Institute and sponsored by PSK Environmental .

We were fortunate to have an incredible and distinguished panel, who shared their advice and insights into emerging career opportunities in environment and STEM. Our panel included Claire Cote Director Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute , Silvana Santomartino Founding Director of PSK Environmental , Beth Kramer Principal Environmental Planner at Lightsource bp and Renelle Watson Senior Program Officer at Brisbane City Council . Lucy Reading of 澳大利亚昆士兰科技大学 moderated discussion, exploring what our panel loved about their careers in environment and STEM.

There was a common theme for our panellists who thrive on technically challenging work and enjoy piecing together the scientific puzzle to find a solution and communicate to a broad audience to make a positive difference to the environment. All panellists have a strong foundation in technical excellence and a passion for their work, and the discussion highlighted the value of clear and accessible communication. The secret is being able to break down complex problems into achievable tasks and reaching out to your colleagues for ideas. Silvana highlighted the value she has seen by building a supportive technical team to help get through challenges together.

?The ability to clearly communicate complex technical work was also highlighted as vital to reach a broad audience and be able to make effective change. The ability to do this can be helped through the networks we build and work experience across a full spectrum of environmental science, in government, research, consulting and the private sector can be advantageous. There are also many great opportunities to upskill and train. The panel discussed the emerging trends in careers in environmental science, highlighting the value of skills in spatial analysis and mapping, dealing with big data and technological advancements and data capture and processing. This aligns well with the great work undertaken by the UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute to provide short courses and training materials for those wanting to expand their expertise in sustainability for the resources sector.

?The panel shared about their career paths and the moments they took a risk in their career that created a new and exciting opportunity that led them to where they are today. To have these great experiences the panellists shared advice to not be too set on one career path, know your value and find the best fit for you. Sometimes a certain sector, company or work environment may not suit you -? but there are so many unique opportunities to suit all. Silvana encouraged our attendees to not give up on environmental science to open that coffee shop, talk to your peers, ask a mentor, and ask yourself what is important to you. What does success mean to you, what is a non-negotiable for you to thrive, and what could you be a bit more flexible on.

?Beth highlighted the value of taking a risk in your career and building and maintaining connections with people at all levels and fields – you never know where you may go with your career. Along these lines Renelle shared a great example when one door closed, a new and unique door opened that gave her the opportunity to be the first female project manager for an engineering company in Oman, guiding the first cohort of female engineers for the company and enabling them to succeed in their careers.

The panel discussion closed with some great questions from our audience, including how to get more fieldwork opportunities. This revealed the benefit of lateral thinking and being prepared for anything. You never know when you might need to use pliers to start a car after a key mishap.

?As well as how to negotiate on salary, with the panel and audience sharing their insight and knowledge including the recent updates from Fair Work Australia to minimum wage for the industry and new employee rights to discuss their pay and workplace conditions. It often helps to ask around and look up salary expectations for your role from sources such as Payscale and recruitment agents.

The conversation continued over canapes and drinks, kindly sponsored by PSK Environmental . An incredible evening with a great turnout from our amazing Professional Environmental Women’s Association - QLD members.?

Special thanks to our host UQ SMI, generous sponsor PSK Environmental, our distinguished panellists and the event organisers and committee members Lucy Reading , Mandana Shaygan , Kylie Gomez Gane , Elvira Lanham , Aaditi Dang and Claire Stephenson who helped organise and run the event.

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