Sophie, Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants: Advize Career Interview
A career shift from biochemistry to environmental science led to a rewarding journey in environmental consulting.
This professional's path began with student government and a senior practicum at UCLA, followed by an AmeriCorps term that led to a current position as an Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants.
The work involves National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning, encompassing technical writing, project management, client communication, and fieldwork.
A flexible work arrangement allows juggling multiple projects across diverse areas like renewable energy, mining, and restoration. Strong technical writing and communication skills are key, alongside a proactive learning approach.
The most enjoyable aspect is the variety of work and continuous learning opportunities. While initially facing a steep learning curve, the biggest current challenge is prioritizing and balancing workload.
The field's dynamic nature and impactful public communication are highlighted, with a recommendation for students to embrace a learning-oriented approach and realize that generalists can thrive.
Entry-level opportunities include internships and field technician positions, offering valuable experience.
Reliability and effective communication skills, developed through undergraduate experiences and pushing comfort zones, are emphasized as crucial for career success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sophie Butler
Environmental Planner
SWCA Environmental Consultants
UCLA 2018
N/A
Biology & Related Sciences
Environment
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of an Environmental Planner at SWCA
Sophie's career path began with a major shift from biochemistry to environmental science at UCLA, where student government work and a senior practicum sparked an interest in environmental consulting. A post-graduation AmeriCorps term with a Nevada non-profit, where Sophie "met current supervisor," led to a full-time position and ultimately Sophie's current role as an environmental planner at SWCA.
Main Responsibilities of an Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants
Sophie, an Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants, primarily focuses on "National Environmental Policy Act planning," producing crucial environmental assessments and impact statements for clients' projects ranging from renewable energy to mining. This involves significant technical writing, project management responsibilities including "client communication, logistics, scheduling and budget management," and even hands-on field work for restoration projects.
A Day In The Life Of An Environmental Planner At SWCA
Sophie, an Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants, enjoys a flexible work arrangement, splitting time between the office and home, juggling two to three meetings daily with client and internal project team interactions. The remainder of the workday is dedicated to "writing some of those NEPA documents or progress reports," research, and regulatory compliance work across four to six diverse projects simultaneously, highlighting the dynamic nature of environmental consulting.
Most Important Skills For An Environmental Planner At SWCA Environmental Consultants
For early-career environmental consultants, strong technical writing is paramount, as "a huge part of the desktop work" involves report writing informed by fieldwork understanding. Success also hinges on effective communication and a proactive approach to learning, as Sophie highlights the importance of "being able to communicate and ask questions" to navigate unfamiliar project details and build professional relationships.
Favorite Parts of Being an Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants
Sophie's favorite aspect of her Environmental Planner role at SWCA Environmental Consultants is the "diverse work," encompassing renewables, mining, and restoration projects, allowing for continuous learning from varied project managers and teams. This variety, coupled with SWCA's supportive and flexible remote work environment, fosters continuous skill development and career growth.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants
Initially, Sophie's biggest challenge was the steep learning curve of both the projects and required documentation, but collaborative work with experienced colleagues helped overcome this. Now, Sophie's focus is on "learning how to prioritize and balance [their] workload," including "learning when to say no" to optimize time management and project quality.
Favorite Parts of Environmental Consulting as an Environmental Planner
Sophie, an Environmental Planner, enjoys the dynamic nature of environmental consulting, specifically the "public disclosure documents" that require translating complex scientific concepts into language accessible to everyone. This crucial communication aspect, combined with collaboration with agencies and clients, makes the work both impactful and engaging.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Environmental Consulting Industry According To An Environmental Planner At SWCA Environmental Consultants
Environmental consulting thrives on individuals who are "driven and willing to try new things," embracing a learning-oriented approach, as Sophie, an Environmental Planner, explains. The industry encompasses diverse roles, from office-based technical work to specialized fieldwork in areas like botany and ecology, demanding a variety of technical skills and project approaches.
What an Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Environmental Consulting Industry
Sophie, an Environmental Planner, wishes they had known earlier about the existence and breadth of the environmental consulting industry, stating that "it's not just for environmental science majors". They also wish they had realized that "you don't need to be a specialist to succeed," finding that generalists can make significant contributions and work on a wider variety of projects.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Environmental Planners at SWCA
Entry-level environmental consulting offers internships in NEPA planning, a crucial way to gain experience given the difficulty of finding such jobs without prior experience, as noted by Sophie at SWCA Environmental Consultants. Many firms, including SWCA, also provide numerous field technician positions involving "natural and cultural resource surveys," such as bird or archaeological surveys, which are often ideal for recent graduates.
Significant Career Lesson from an Environmental Planner at SWCA
Sophie, an Environmental Planner, identifies reliability as the most significant career lesson learned, emphasizing the importance of "knowing when to say no" to manage workload effectively and build trust with colleagues and clients. This careful management of commitments has guided Sophie's career progression and allowed for focused time investment in valued projects.
College Experiences That Helped an Environmental Planner at SWCA Succeed
Sophie's undergraduate experience proved invaluable, particularly "learning how to communicate with a pretty large variety of people and learning how to build relationships," leading to their current position through networking. This experience, along with pushing "outta your comfort zone," fostered skills that continue to benefit their career as an Environmental Planner.
Advizer Personal Links
www.linkedin.com/in/ sophie-b-6340b38a