Requirements

Environment professional - requirements

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.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be an environment professional?

A degree in an environmental subject will be most helpful in developing your knowledge and career prospects. You could consider a qualification in:

You could move into this sector from another background like engineering or finance, as your expertise in that area may be as valuable in the environmental sphere.

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to work as an environment professional?

Postgraduate degrees are useful as competition for roles can be strong in some areas of environmental management. They’re often needed for senior or specialised roles.

Examples of taught or research master’s courses that you might consider include:

Global governance and sustainable development
Management and sustainability
Sustainable futures
Sustainable development
Sustainable economics
International business management and corporate social responsibility

What skills do you need to be an environment professional?

Your technical knowledge and organisational skills will be central to your success, along with problem-solving skills and an ability to drive change.

Hard skills usually include:

Risk analysis
Environmental health
Environmental impact assessments
Environmental auditing
Environmental science
Relevant laws and regulations

Soft skills include:

Communication
Influencing and persuading
Planning processes
Managing operations
Investigating and auditing
Researching
Problem-solving
Reporting and presenting

Do you need work experience to be an environment professional?

Employers in this field will often want applicants to have strong, relevant experience. You could get this through voluntary work, industry placements as part of your degree, work experience or by working in a junior role in the environmental sector. Professional membership can help you search for opportunities and get professional qualifications.