Favorite Parts of Working in the Environmental Consulting Industry as an Environmental Planner
Julia, an Environmental Planner III, finds the collaborative nature of the environmental consulting industry most rewarding, citing "the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and society" through tackling complex challenges and finding creative solutions. The continuous learning, fostered by engaging with colleagues and staying abreast of current trends in CEQA and NEPA, alongside career growth opportunities in project management and technical writing, further enhances the experience.
Project Management, Environmental Policy, Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Julia Pano
Environmental Planner III
HELIX Environmental Planning
University of California, Davis
N/A
Environmental & Related Sciences
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and society by implementing solutions to protect natural resources and reduce pollution.
2. Collaborative and independent work environment tackling complex environmental and legal challenges, requiring creative solutions balancing development and environmental protection.
3. Continuous career growth and development opportunities, enhancing expertise in areas like CEQA/NEPA, project management, technical writing, critical thinking, and public speaking.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
What I enjoy most about the environmental consulting industry, I'd say, is the people. I've attended many Association of Environmental Professional trainings and webinars, and it's super interesting to hear more from those who are specialized in a certain area. Everyone is so open to sharing their knowledge and experience working with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
It's really amazing to hear and witness the large and small-scale projects that are currently underway in California or will kick off in the near future. The projects in California are always changing, and it is exciting to keep up with the most current hot topics in the CEQA or NEPA world. People are so welcoming to discuss more about projects they've worked on in California, as it might relate to a project you are currently working on.
One of the best things about working in the environmental consulting field is the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and society. Environmental consultants strive to implement solutions to best protect natural resources, reduce pollution, etc. Consultants work independently and in a collaborative environment to tackle complex environmental or even legal challenges that could arise with a project and find creative and effective solutions that balance development needs with environmental protection.
In the environmental consulting industry, you are able to grow in your career path as you continue to gain experience working on a variety of project types. I'm really grateful that I have such an encouraging team at Helix that provides me with the experience to become more knowledgeable on the topics of CEQA and NEPA, and even project management. Working in this industry also strengthens your technical writing skills, critical thinking skills to evaluate potential environmental impacts, and public speaking experiences, as it is important to present information clearly to both your internal team and to your client.