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.
Environmental Consulting, Career Exploration, Industry Awareness, Specialization vs. Generalization, Professional Development
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. The environmental consulting industry is large and diverse, encompassing many specializations beyond environmental science.
2. Success in environmental consulting doesn't require hyper-specialization; generalists can also make significant contributions.
3. Environmental consulting as a career path may not be widely known to undergraduates, even those in related fields like environmental science.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
The first thing I wish I knew earlier was that this industry existed. It seems, especially now years after my undergraduate career, that it wasn't until my last year as an environmental science major that I truly understood environmental consulting. It's not just for environmental science majors; it's a huge industry that requires specialized understanding to complete all our work.
The second thing I wish I knew sooner is that you don't need to be a specialist to succeed in the industry. That was my perception before I started working here. While there are many specialists, there's also a lot of room for generalists to make a big impact in environmental consulting. This allows you to integrate into different projects and contribute in a wider variety of ways.
Advizer Personal Links
www.linkedin.com/in/ sophie-b-6340b38a