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.
Communication, Technical Writing, Data Analysis, Problem-Solving, Project Management
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. Strong writing and technical skills are crucial for report writing and data analysis.
2. Understanding of study design and data collection methods is beneficial for environmental consulting.
3. Good communication, asking questions, and a willingness to learn are essential for success in the field.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
There are many skills helpful for environmental consulting, but the most important for getting an early-career job is strong, concise writing. Technical writing is a significant part of the desktop work in this field, though other skills also translate into this type of role.
Many staff members have technical specialties, and their early work might be field-based, involving botany or wildlife surveys. A good understanding of how these studies are designed and how data is collected is beneficial for later report writing.
Another crucial skill is good communication and the ability to ask questions. It's unrealistic to expect you'll understand client projects immediately. For example, I didn't know how transmission lines were built when I started, and no one expected me to.
Being able to communicate and ask questions is the best way to learn how everything works and do your job well. I found that working on a wide variety of projects at SWCA and diving in headfirst, even when I felt unprepared, was how I learned the most and built trust with my colleagues.
Advizer Personal Links
www.linkedin.com/in/ sophie-b-6340b38a