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.
Project Management, Time Management, Communication, Teamwork, Overcoming Challenges
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
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Balancing workload and prioritizing tasks effectively.
2. Overcoming the initial steep learning curve by proactively seeking guidance from experienced colleagues and utilizing effective questioning techniques.
3. Learning to say no to additional tasks when time constraints prevent delivering high-quality work.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
I think the biggest challenge in my current role has evolved as I've become more comfortable in the work I'm completing. At the beginning, the learning curve was definitely steep. Not only was I learning the ins and outs of the different projects I was working on, I was also simultaneously learning how to write the documents we're producing for our clients.
I was trying to learn how to do my work and understand our clients' projects at the same time. But I was able to lean on our more experienced staff and PMs to help guide me and give me pointers.
I'm a big proponent of working through something as much as I can and writing questions as I go. Then, at the end of the day or week, I go to my project manager and say, "Hey, let's work through these things." I found that really helped me build trust with my colleagues and gain more opportunities over the last year and a half.
From that point, I found my biggest challenge was learning how to prioritize and balance my workload and use my time as well as I can. That means planning out my weeks. Sometimes it also means learning when to say no, when you aren't going to be able to do something to the best of your ability because of time constraints.
Advizer Personal Links
www.linkedin.com/in/ sophie-b-6340b38a