Environmental Scientist

What does being an environmental scientist involve?

Collecting data to answer a question (hypothesis), analysing that data, and presenting it in a report/presentation.

Why did you decide you wanted to be an environmental scientist?

Geography and Biology were my best subjects at school, even though I loved History! I had advice that specialist jobs would be harder to get with an Arts Degree, so I chose to do Geology and Geography at University. I was always interested in water, where it came from, how it got to the tap…

Was there any other job you ever seriously considered?

I trained as a primary teacher for a year after leaving High School, but found that Teachers College was not challenging enough, even though I enjoyed the actual teaching.

What study and qualifications did you have to get to become an environmental scientist?

I completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Geology. This involved undergraduate study of Geology, Geography and Biology, and a year of post-graduate study in which I specialised in Hydrogeology - the study of groundwater.

Are there any school subjects that would be particularly useful to take if interested in being an environmental scientist?

I wish I had done Calculus!! - there are lots of equations for water flow. I took Statistics through to 7th Form, and I remember thinking 'I will never need all this maths stuff', but I do!

For my field of hydrogeology, I would also recommend chemistry and geography.

What other skills do you need to be an environmental scientist?

To be able to write or speak clearly and concisely to a non-scientific audience so you can communicate your complex ideas/findings. Planning skills to organise investigations to meet your aims.

What is the best thing about the job?

That it's interesting! It is also satisfying to follow a whole project through, from organising investigations, analysis and reporting.

What is the hardest thing about the job?

Giving public presentations to people such as Councillor's, and Lobby groups, and at consent hearings.

What hours do you work?

37.5 hours a week, which is 7.5 hours a day. I may work a longer day if I have field-work, an important project to complete, or a public presentation.

Do you find you have the time to do other things you enjoy? Is it hard to get a good work/life balance?

With my employer it is easy to balance work and life, as we can work 'glide time', where if I need to work late one day, I can take time-in-lieu another day. There is very, very rarely work in the weekends. My work-mates have become my friends, as there are many young graduates of similar age, with similar interests.

What advice would you have for girls out there who might be thinking of becoming an environmental scientist?

I think female scientists are much more accepted now in the work-place, so the road is becoming easier for us. Girls will have to realise that sadly it is still slightly harder for us to 'break the boy barriers' and that they really have to study hard, and be diligent in work habits. We often find that female students working for us are far more organised and have a better work ethic than male students of the same age.

So my advice would be to take the right subjects at School and University, and major in the ones you actually are interested in - you will do better in these. Try and keep your options open by taking a wide range of subjects. Getting work experience though holiday jobs and the like is also a great idea - you can approach employers in the field you are interested - they often have student holiday jobs.