Environment professional - career development

As an environment professional, you’ll use your analytical, management and influencing skills to oversee corporate or institutional activity, driving environmental and sustainability improvements. Here you can find out how to start a career in this sector and what your day-to-day job could involve.

Find out how you'll build skills and experience below.

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How will your career as an environment professional progress?

There are several career paths you can pursue as an environment professional. You might start on a graduate scheme in a large company, gaining experience in different areas. From there you could choose to focus on an area such as waste management, monitoring and auditing, environmental impact assessments, or corporate social responsibility.

With experience, you could become a senior manager or director in your area of expertise and shape your organisation’s approach.

Self-employment is an option for experienced professionals, usually working as consultants.

What opportunities are there for career development?

Environmental legislation and related policies are always developing, so continual learning and professional development is important to stay up to date.

You can join a professional body like CIEEM, CIWEM or IEMA to access useful courses, resources, conferences and seminars, as well as for networking opportunities.

Chartership as a professional in one of these areas will highlight your experience and professional skills, opening up new job opportunities.

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