Some York Environment and Geography alumni have kindly provided feedback on their post-university career development by replying to a set of questions. If you are particularly interested in any of the jobs mentioned please feel free to contact the alumni-student - if they have agreed to being contacted then details will appear at the bottom of each section. The responses have been collated according the the course that the alumni took; MSc Environmental Economics and Environmental Management (EEEM), MSc Environmental Economics (EE), MSc Marine Environmental Management (MEM), MRes Ecology and Environmental Management (EEM), or PhD.
EEEM
MSc Environmental Economics and Environmental Management
1. What is your current job?
Adrian Cashman (AC): Lecturer in Water Resources Management at the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies, University of West Indies.
Anonymous (A): teacher at a local university in the Environmental Engineering Program. I am also applying for PhD studies in Rural Development and Environmental Services Valuation, running freelance projects and working as an Environmental Consultant.
Georgios Vantsiotis (GV): Economics Analyst - Energy and Environment
Wario Adano (WA): A Research fellow at Max Planck Institute, Halle/Saale, Germany
2. What is your range of duties and responsibilities
AC: Teaching postgraduates, research and consultancy
A: At the University I am responsible for lecturing 'Project Management', and prepare all lectures for two groups of 25 students each. I am also coordinating five final undergraduate projects for environmental engineering students; the projects are related to rural sustainable developments in indigenous communities. For the PhD research and my other freelance projects I am responsible for designing the projects, costing, networking and interviewing stakeholders, and implementing and coordinating projects once they have been approved. The research project is related to the development of a local market for climate change mitigation services provided by forests. In some projects I only participate as consultant; these projects are related to environmental impact assessment or watershed management. This combination allows me to do some writing which is one of my main aims.
GV: Economic valuations of fuels, pollutants and assets of power stations (consultant)
WA: Doing some scientific (applied) research, reading as widely as possible, keeping an eye on publications.
3. How many hours a week on average do you work?
AC: 45 hours
A: As I am preparing for the PhD I decided to look for a part time job; I lecture 8 hours a week but preparing and marking consumes at least another 8 hours! Depending on projects I work 25 -35 hours per week.
GV: 37.5
WA: I work full time Monday to Friday, and at times over the weekend as well when time allows, or work pressure is high
4. Which band does your current salary fall into?
AC: £20 - £25,000
A: Around £20,000
GV: £25 - £30,000
5. What are your salary expectations for the future?
AC: Up to £40,000
A: Considering the previous job that I had before my studies at York was paid around £25,000, I expect my salary will be larger in the future, especially when I finish my PhD. I expect my salary would be around £30,000; however this is not my main concern, but to do what I enjoy most.
GV: More than £40,000
WA: The focus is so much on publications, not making money. Doing research and becoming a scholar through publication is the currency in this sphere. The salary really becomes secondary.
6. What are the highs and lows of your job?
AC: Research and involvement with policy and decision making processes and learning are the highs. Working on a tropical island and being so close to the beach. There aren't any real lows with the job.
A: Lecturing itself can be quite repetitive and I would like to combine it with research projects which may be innovative. Consultancy is an activity with highs and lows by itself if you are not able to get the projects. I enjoy developing new ideas and activities which is quite different to what you may do in industry.
GV: Highs: Interesting trips to many parts of the world, putting into practise what I learned at University, very friendly working environment, variable projects types (experience and not boring). Lows: dealing with bureaucracy, slow ranking evolution, client exposure too soon.
WA: The main constraint is time, as conceiving ideas goes much faster than processing them. Yet it is the feeling when the actual work is done that counts and what matters most. At times having to meet a deadline is as annoying as it is frustrating.
7. What have you been doing at work during the last week?
AC: I was with students on a field trip to Belize.
A: I was preparing the final exam for my students, making notes to prepare a methane generation model in large Dams - this is a project for the national electricity industry and is coordinated by a researcher at my university.
GV: Examining a commercial proposal, analysing Distribution Network costs, preparing a presentation in the Middle East.
WA: This keeps changing a lot week to week, but this gives you a rough idea: reviewing articles sent to friends for comments, making preparation for a forthcoming fieldwork visit to Kenya, preparing for a workshop in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), working on a draft paper for presentation to colleagues here, finishing making a poster for advisory board's visit next month.
8. What is your background in education, training and/or experience?
AC: My first degree was in Civil Engineering, then MSc Environmental Economics and Environmental Management, then a PhD in Social Science. I have worked for the public sector managing water development, planning and operations, as a consultant on water resources developments and now in academia in the UK, Southern Africa, and now the Caribbean.
A: My undergraduate background is in Environmental Engineering, then I studies diplomas in Project Management, Renewable Energy and Overseas Development Aid. Then before coming to York I worked for three years for a multinational company. The first year I worked as the Head of Ecology of a factory, and the next two years as Environmental Corporate Coordinator. The job consists of implementing and coordinating legal and corporate compliance activities for continuous improvement regarding environmental issues and indicators: air emissions, liquid discharges, waste management and recycling, energy savings, environmental responsibility and training, environmental management systems and audits. Then I came to York to study this Masters.
GV: Economics BSc (Greece), MSc Environmental Economics and Environmental Management
WA: I did Maths and Economics for my 1st degree, and my MSc in York. That was one great year in York! I learnt a lot, it was a great stay and a wonderful experience - I'm still in touch with friends/classmates from that time: nostalgic!. After leaving York I joined the Joined Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, where I earned my PhD (with distinction). While there I did about 2 years part time teaching, and took students for field trips in Kenya. I then relocated to Kenya to take up a teaching position at Moi University's School of Environmental Studies, where I have been for the last 2 years. I joined Max Planck in November 2007 for a 2-3 year contract.
9. What advice would you give to someone intending to pursue a similar career?
AC: You never know what you might end up doing. Keep an open mind, be curious and make the best use of the opportunities that come your way.
A: I would tell them they should never forget what they like/want to do. If they are able to stop for a moment and visualise a goal for the next, lets say 10 years, and they can shape the path to get there I think they will have no problem. If the cannot visualise the path they can always ask someone who has reached something like what they want; however I am convinced everybody knows in their inner self what they want/should do.
GV: Go for it! Consultancy is a very good first step; opens other options in the future.
WA: The future is in one's hands really, and decisions taken in pursuit of your choice of careers can well be taken while you are at York. With many people so willing to teach and assist, make good use of your time, and the technological advancements that have tremendously improved information exchange. Hard work and networking will do the job - knowing people who matter at the right time, if not before the right time, is a big bonus. This is possible with time well spent at the Department of Environment and Geography at least based on my reflection of my time there!
10. Contact details:
The following alumni have agreed to be contacted by students about their career paths. If you are particularly interested in the work and have some further questions, please feel free to contact them.
EE
MSc Environmental Economics
1. What is your current job?
Rajesh Parboteeah (RP): I work for the European Commission as a Project Manager, and am based in the Delegation office in Mauritius
Anonymous (B): Economic advisor within DEFRA's Climate Change Economics Division. Specifically I work on Sustainable Consumption and Production.
Joseph Akpokodje (JA): Environmental and Resettlement Consultant/Safeguards Specialist for the World Bank and African Development Bank
Jaime Lira (JL): Senior Origination Manager - Andean Region - Ecosecurities.
Maurice Mason (MM): Project Officer/Environmental Economist. University of the West Indies, Jamaica
Anonymous (C): Head of section at the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs, Denmark
Anonymous (D): Environmental expert in an Expert Credit Agency (ECA)
Maria Sanchez (MS): Lecturer at the University of Salamanca (Spain)
2. What is your range of duties and responsibilities
RP: Formulate and monitor projects (environmental, social) in Cormores and Mayonette (in the Indian Ocean).
B: Providing economic advice to policy colleagues, ministers and other stakeholders on the area of Sustainable Consumption and Production - this includes areas such as business resource efficiency, household environmental behaviour change and energy using products.
JA: Developing proposals for Environmental and Resettlement Projects, leading teams and participating in several others for field work, writing up reports for several projects, managing the daily activities of Earthguards Limited.
JL: Manager; in charge of the origination side of GHG emissions reductions projects within the Andean region - Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Columbia and Venezuela.
MM: Project Management; Modelling the socio-economic cost of natural disaster.
C: Policy making regarding climate change and business opportunities
D: As environmental analyst, my task in the environmental assessment review for coverage insurance transactions. In other words, I check the compliance with international environmental standards (World Bank environmental standards) of projects where export credit insurance is required.
MS: The main responsibility I have are my lectures, as well as researching. I am also the coordinator of the of Erasmus programme in the Social Science School.
3. How many hours a week on average do you work?
RP: 37.5 hours
B: 45 hours a week - a particularly bad week wouldn't normally exceed 55 hours.
JA: 45 hours per week.
JL: At least 45h a week.
MM: 40 hours.
C: 40 hours.
D: No less than 40.
4. Which band does your current salary fall into?
RP: £20 - £25,000
B: Currently over £40,000
JA: £25,000 - £30,000
JL: over £40,000
MM: £25,000 - £30,000
C: £40,000 onwards
D: £20,000 - £25,000
MS: £20,000 - £25,000
5. What are your salary expectations for the future?
RP: define future!
B: Future expectations for my grade is between £45 - £55,000, and if I went up to the next grade add £10 - £15,000 more.
JA: To earn over £40,000 per year in 2009
JL: At least to remain the same and hopefully to rise
MM: Same as above
C: Increasing by about 7% each year
D: The salary will increase in the future
MS: From 35 - 45 hours
6. What are the highs and lows of your job?
RP: Highs: Opportunities to work with grass roots organisations. Lows: to reconcile social and environmental requirements with EC procedures
B: People that don't like listening to economic advice can be frustrating - e.g. want to protect the environment without any regard to associated costs. But it can also be very satisfying when our advice does influence Government environmental policy.
JA: Highs: The ability to work with stakeholders in different sectors, the joy of helping to reduce negative impact on the environment, the opportunity to put into practice the things I have learnt, the opportunity of working with the best practice consultants from the World Bank, UNCP and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Lows: The long hours of working, the short deadlines, managing people, the long travel for field work.
JL: Highs: Client management. Lows: the difficulty on ERPA (contract) signatures or in getting deals.
MM: Lows: Lack of data. Highs: Informing policy decision.
C: Highs: Making a difference and getting insight into high level government policy making. Lows: Hierarchy and very short deadlines.
D: Highs: You learn something new every day, and you become a real "Environmental Expert". Lows: sometimes you have to do things quickly, and this is stressing.
MS: Highs: It is a dynamic job, I have to update my knowledge all the time. Working with young people is always nice, and self enriching. I have the opportunity to study what interests me. It is easy to meet new people new people from other parts of Spain or abroad. Lows: Marking exams. In Spain it is difficult to change from one university to another, so sometimes you feel as if you are going to spend the rest of your working life with the same people and in the same place, with all the good and bad things this represents.
7. What have you been doing at work during the last week?
RP: Planning how to commit the forthcoming six year envelope for Mayotte (high chances that it will go to the environmental sector).
B: I've provided internal analysis in the last week as well as managing external research by consultants.
JA: This week we are writing up the Environmental Social Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP) report for the World Bank financed First National Urban Water Sector Project in Kaduna in Nigeria. There will be twelve reports in total (one EIA and one ARAP report each). This is a water pipeline rehabilitation and extension project in six towns in Kaduna state. We are also inputting data we collected from the field work for an Environmental Audit of a Drug and Vaccine Laboratory in Lagos state of Nigeria.
MM: Modelling the economic cost of earthquakes.
D: Checking environmental impact assessment documents, meetings, teleconference calls
MS: Assisting the Universities for the Erasmus students in the Socrates programme that we send to other European universities. Meetings. Lectures.
8. What is your background in education, training and/or experience?
RP: First degree: Business Economics, Masters; Environmental Economics, and currently MPhil on plastic carrier bags.
B: BA Economics (Kent) and MSc Environmental Economics (York). Since then, I've worked in three different government departments.
JA: I have a first degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan (Nigeria), and a Masters degree in Environmental Economics from the University of York. I have also attended several World Bank short courses such as the World Bank Safeguards course, and Environmental Economics for Development Policy (EEDP). At the moment I am also undergoing some online courses such as Environmental an Social Risk Assessment (ESRA) by the United Nations Environmental Program.
JL: Civil Engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and MSc Environmental Economics York, mainly.
MM: Education; MSc Environmental Economics (York), MSc Economics (UWI), BSc Economics (UWI). Training; Ecomod course in practical CGE modelling. Experience; Environmental Project Management and CBA for 10 years.
C: MSc Environmental Economics from York, MSc Economics, University of Copenhagen.
D: BSc in Environmental Sciences, MSc Environmental Economics, PhD in Environmental Economics.
MS: I have a degree in Law, a degree in Economics, and an MSc in Environmental Economics. I was teaching assistant, now I am a lecturer and Vice Dean of the Social Science School.
9. What advice would you give to someone intending to pursue a similar career?
RP: If you really love the environment, you will find tonnes of possibilities to get personal job satisfaction
B: Stick to the basic principles of economics (weighing up the additional costs and benefits of policy interventions) and then the interviews for Government Economic Service become a lot more simple to get through.
JA: My advice would be as follows: Do a Masters course after your first degree in a relevant course - such as the Department of Environment and Geography's Masters degree. Do an internship with relevant environmental agencies or environmental departments. Work with the relevant environmental agencies or departments for the government. The Environmental management sector is now very wide; pick an area to pursue for your career. Do lots of environmental/sustainable development courses online.
JL: To work hard and take extra training on negotiations.
MM: Make sure that you take all of the modelling modules, GIS, Environmental Valuation, CGE modelling. Make sure to do Katerina's courses.
C: Decide whether you want to pursue a private or government career. Focus on written communication and liaison skills.
D: The first step is to know about environmental international standards (World Bank, OECD, etc.)
MS: Go ahead if you are a social person who enjoys studying, and are willing to keep your mind open. Do not follow this career path if you are interested in social or economic status.
10. Contact details:
The following alumni have agreed to be contacted by students about their career paths. If you are particularly interested in the work and have some further questions, please feel free to contact them.
RP: rajesh.parboteeah@ec.europa.eu
JA: jakpokodje@earthguards.net
Jaime Lira (JL): email: jaime@ecosecurities.com
Maurice Mason (MM): mauricemason@gmail.com
Maria Sanchez (MS): mariasan@usal.es
MEM
MSc Marine Environmental Management
Rachel Brown
I was one of the first batch of students to graduate from the Marine Environmental Management MSc. I am very lucky in the fact that I have been working as a Research Assistant in the Department of Environment and Geography at York. I have worked on a couple of projects since I started here last November. It begin with a temporary position doing administrative work for the department, this however led onto a contract doing some work for the Countryside Council for Wales. The work was desk-based research creating case studies of the processes used to create marine protected area networks around the world and compiling the criteria that had been used to select areas. This led onto what I am currently doing, which again is a short-term contract selecting areas for protection in the high seas of the OSPAR area. I am really enjoying this job, I’ve been working with some prominent scientists in marine protection and have had the opportunity to present some of my work at a meeting of OSPAR contracting parties in Germany. It can be quite challenging though, a lot of the work is done independently and can be frustrating, but it is worth it to be involved in the first set of high seas marine protected areas!
I work about 40 hours a week, but I am able to do some work from home, which is useful. I get paid at a rate equivalent to a salary of just over £20,000, which is great for a temporary contract. I also am able to claim expenses, such as the meeting I travelled to in Bonn, Germany. The project is due to finish in the next couple of months and after that I am taking some time out to try and get some of my research published. Then in October all being well I will begin studying for a PhD in marine conservation. I always intended to complete a PhD, I did an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology at Newcastle University, focusing mainly on marine science and oceanography. Unsure what to do next I took a job as an aquarist at a local aquarium, which was lots of fun and gave me experience working in public education. I then completed the MSc at York, which made me realise I am interested not only in how people interact with the marine environment but also how they understand it. I think my main piece of advice for someone who wants to pursue a career in marine biology or marine conservation is to be persistent and flexible. There are many ways to achieve your goals so investigate as many as possible and taking time out from education may be what you need to realise what you really want to do. Above all though make yourself known, if you work hard then one of your past lecturers or employers may just think of you when they have a contract to complete and this can lead onto a whole host of other things!
Howard Peters
I completed an MSc in Marine Environmental Management in the autumn of 2007. As a (very) mature student, my objectives were less to do with future financial gain and everything to do with pursuing a passion. The year had been both challenging and rewarding to the extent that I applied to continue at York for a PhD.
But first, a six-month break. For many years prior to embarking on the MSc, I had been devoting three months out of each year with various NGOs assisting in their establishment of tropical marine protected areas. Indeed, it was this involvement that led to my pursuit of the MSc. On returning to London on completion of the course, I re-connected and was fortunate to be offered a staff role as photographer on a site in the Philippines. The brief was to create a photographic library of expedition life, local community projects and, using underwater equipment, marine species. Like almost all such positions, whether staff or volunteer, the work was unpaid. Reward is in the experience.
For my PhD I shall be undertaking research into changes to cone snail populations through over-collection and habitat loss. These predatory marine molluscs, notable for the beauty of their shells and the toxicity of their venom, are at risk throughout the tropical regions of the world.
If any York post-graduate (or prospective student) would like to chat about my experiences, I shall be happy to share them with you. At present I have no specific plans following my PhD other than to continue in marine conservation.
Howard Peters (hp510@york.ac.uk)
Ruth Thurstan
Since completing my MSc I have stayed on in the Department of Environment and Geography to pursue a PhD in historical marine ecology. This research came about directly as a result of my interest in the dissertation topic I chose during my MSc. My advice for anyone else wanting to pursue a PhD would be to research into your chosen topic, as the more background information you know, the more likely it is you will be able to spot the gaps in current knowledge and begin to ask questions that will form the basis of your research. Then talk to your supervisors about the possibilities, as once they know what you are looking for, they can keep their eyes open for opportunities!
EEM
MRes Ecology and Environmental Management
1. What is your current job?
Anonymous (E): PhD student, University of Waikato, New Zealand
2. What is your range of duties and responsibilities
E: My project is investigating the ecology and behaviour of invasive rodents. I also do some demonstrating for undergraduate classes.
3. How many hours a week on average do you work?
E: It varies and I've only just started, but I imagine I'll put in about 50 hours one way or another.
4. Which band does your current salary fall into?
E: Under £20,000 - way under!
5. What are your salary expectations for the future?
E: It would be nice to be on about $50,000 (~£20,000) here in New Zealand by my thirties
6. What are the highs and lows of your job?
E: I love my subject and I love fieldwork. I've been able to move out here to New Zealand. I meet great people who are enthusiastic and interested in what they do too. Unfortunately there is always the lack of funds, the frustration of paperwork and red tape. Sometimes I'm exhausted.
7. What have you been doing at work during the last week?
E: Last week I put out and checked rat traps and tracking devices throughout small patches of native bush on farmland in the Waikato.
8. What is your background in education, training and/or experience?
E: I have an undergraduate degree in Biology from Southampton and a Masters degree in Ecology and Environmental Management from York. I had a year out between these courses where I worked and volunteered on various ecology projects.
9. What advice would you give to someone intending to pursue a similar career?
E: Don't give up. Even if it seems like you're getting nowhere keep working hard and eventually someone notices. Don't expect to earn lots of money or for the work to be glamourous!
PhD
PhD
1. What is your current job?
Christiane Schelten (CS): Programme Manager at the African Regional Office of the Frankfurt Zoological Society, an international conservation NGO, based in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Glyn Jones (GJ): Environmental Economist
Roberto Martinez-Espineira (RM): Associate Professor of Economics at St Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, Canada
Unai Pascual (UP): Lecturer, University of Cambridge (Department of Land Economy)
Anonymous (F): Soil Scientist/modeller at the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) in York
Anonymous (G): Post Doc
Jan Minx (JM): Research Associate, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) York, Leader Project Office Berlin
Beccy Moberly (BM): Senior Specialist, Planning and Advocacy, Natural England SE Region.
Nora Barker (NB): Just finished working for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as Policy Officer. Work ended due to moving to Beijing because of my husband's work.
2. What is your range of duties and responsibilities
CS: Lots and very different. Head of Administration and Accounting, project management, a lot of PR and some marketing. I work closely with the Director of the Africa Programme on all matters that come up. I have been organising two international workshops and one internal strategy meeting in the last two years.
GJ: Broad range of applied analyses utilising a large amount of material covered by the Department of Environment and Geography.
RM: Teaching Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Economics and other Economics undergraduate courses, and doing research in those fields.
UP: Teaching and research
F: Currently assisting the senior scientists for research/commercial projects, and I am gradually getting project management responsibilities
G: Planning and carrying out research projects, proposal writing, supervision of students and management of lab technicians, data analysis, writing reports and papers
JM: Contributing to research papers, Line-management responsibilities, Strategic development of research portfolio, research grant applications, lead on research projects.
BM: Natural England has statutory duties in relation to plans, strategies, projects and developments that affect nationally and internationally important areas for nature conservation and landscape, including SSSIs and AONBs. I provide advice and support to colleagues in my team on how to approach these issues, amongst other nature conservation, landscape and sustainable development related issues, particularly focussing on the planning system. We work with developers, local authorities, other statutory agencies, NGOs and others to ensure the protection and enhancement of the natural environment alongside development. A key part of my role is liaison with partners and stakeholders to achieve this. I also provide input to national and regional consultations and Natural England policy.
NB: As Policy Officer, my responsibilities were: Development, implementation and evaluation of policies and procedures relating to the MSC's principles and criteria for sustainable fishing and the MSC's governing bodies. Development of documentation and training material for stakeholders including outreach to developing world countries on the MSC ecolabelling programme. Liaison and support to MSC executive, governing bodies and stakeholder council. Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, government bodies and partners to ensure overall programme effectiveness and credibility.
3. How many hours a week on average do you work?
CS: Roughly 45 hours a week (including a Saturday morning)
GJ: Officially 37.5
RM: I teach about 7 hours a week but I work about 60 hours a week
UP: A lot :)
F: 37 hours
G: 45 - 50 hours
JM: Officially 37.5 hours, in reality probably about 50
BM: 40
NB: 40 Hrs
4. Which band does your current salary fall into?
CS: £25,000 to £30,000 - In this range, we also get quite a few benefits: housing, car, contribution to medical insurance for the whole family, for the whole family one flight to home country annually. Since we are on international consultants' contracts and have an agreement with the Government, our salary is tax free, but we need to care about our own pension/retirement scheme/investment...
GJ: £30,000 - £40,000
RM: £25,000 - £30,000
UP: £30,000 - £40,000
F: £20,000 - £25,000
G: £30,000 - £40,000
JM: £30,000 - £40,000
BM: £25,000 - £30,000
NB: £25,000 - £30,000
5. What are your salary expectations for the future?
GJ: Slow growth from here if I don't move
RM: Slight yearly increases
F: Being a civil servant I am not expecting much!
JM: Dependent on whether I stay in research. In the private sector I would expect at least £50,000 - £60,000.
BM: Annual inflationary increase. Salary would increase on promotion, but I'm happy with the current level for now.
NB: Similar salary if I take up a similar job in the charity/NGO sector, although I hope that it would reach the £30,000 - £40,000 range in my next role.
6. What are the highs and lows of your job?
CS: Highs: Very flexible and diverse tasks and responsibilities. We are a small organisation personnel wise (though we do have big budgets through third party donors) hence we take on many different tasks. This is very challenging and hence is not getting boring. I have a very close working relationship to HQ staff, the director, boss, colleagues. It is a nice team and many colleagues have become good friends. Also meeting a lot of interesting people from different sectors (business, political, media...). Lows: Mmmmm, I can't think of any really. Maybe sometimes I would like to be more out in the field. On the other hand, even if I am sitting at my desk and typing away, I am feeling more outside that inside since I have giraffes, warthogs and impalas passing just in front of my window which is open all the time (except when it is raining!).
GJ: Lows: Bureaucracy (sometimes actually necessary!)
RM: Highs: fun teaching and the joy of publishing, travelling to conferences, sabbaticals, short working terms and flexible hours. Lows: marking and sometimes too much teaching
UP: Highs: Great working atmosphere, interesting research etc.
F: Highs: Freedom, learning a lot as well as applying the knowledge I accumulated during my studies, good balance between research and commercial projects, security (civil servant). Lows: The salary is not the best I could have got after a PhD.
G: Highs: Lots of freedom to do what I'm interested in (research topics). Lows: Pressure to find funding, low pay compared to industrial jobs.
JM: Highs: Research, successful papers and grant applications, working in a team, research field, meeting dynamic people. Lows: Bureaucracy, working long hours
BM: Highs: feeling that you are doing something positive to help the natural environment - Natural England generally has a fair amount of influence and is a well respected organisation. I like working with people that share common attitudes and goals. Lows: there is always too much to do. Because of the level of personal interest, it is difficult not to work too many hours. It's also difficult managing with limited resources. We have excellent relations with most partners, but it can be difficult dealing with those who do not understand (or wish too) the issues from an environmental perspective.
NB: Highs: Seeing change in people's behaviour as a result of policies and work that I do. In my case, seeing more fishing companies take up sustainable management of fisheries was a high, seeing fishermen get higher prices for their ecolabelled fish and seeing supermarkets sell MSC-labelled goods (e.g. Pret a Manger started selling MSC-fish in their sandwiches. Lows: The biggest problem I felt was that our charity never had enough money to do the work that was needed or expected.
7. What have you been doing at work during the last week?
CS: Staff meetings, a lot of email correspondence, work of a website and video media. Discussions on several projects: Serengeti National Park Visitor Renovation, Serengeti Wild Dogs, Virunga National Park Conservation Projects, Mahale Ecosystem Management Project. Planning upcoming consultant work. Auditing, administration, accounts. The German Ambassador was here last month and we are expecting people from Lincoln Park Zoo soon, and a representative from USFW... just lots, lots, lots, and then also I'm a mother since the last 8 months!
GJ: BBSRC LoLa workshop, Pollination services valuation project, EU projects on pest risk assessments.
RM: I am on a sabbatical this year, so I have been working on several papers and a contingency valuation survey.
UP: Teach and research
F: A phytotoxicology study (pharmaceutical products), a bit of modelling (prediction of toxicity of some personal care products to aquatic organisms and mammals), and a project on the runoff of pesticides in the UK.
G: Trying to get a new machine running in the lab, planning the next experiments, doing data modelling for a workshop report, organising collaborations with external partners.
JM: Paper writing, proposal development, estimation, organising things etc.
BM: I'm off at the moment on maternity leave. Recent work has involved attending a public inquiry into a proposed wind turbine in the South Downs.
NB: During my last week at work I was preparing information manuals for fishermen to explain the MSC programme and what the benefits were to them getting their businesses certified as well managed and sustainable.
8. What is your background in education, training and/or experience?
CS: Msc in Marine Ecology from Gothenburg University, Sweden (my project was Coral Fish Distribution in semi-artificial reefs in Tanzania). PhD in Environmental Management at York - the Impacts of sedimentation, fishing and hurricane on replenishment of coral communities, St. Lucia, West Indies. I then worked as a Professor at the School for Field Studies, Turks and Cairos Islands, Caribbean for 2 years, and then started in my present role, where I hope to stay for some time (if they let me!)
GJ: My background gives no suggestion that I would be doing this now. First degree a long time ago, followed by 15 years in the private sector (finance). A convert to the Environment.
RM: I have a Batchelor degree in Economics, and MSc in Environmental Economics (York) and a PhD in Environmental Economics.
UP: Msc and PhD Environmental Economics
F: MSc in Soil Science (France), MSc in Agronomy (specialisation) Environmental Science (France), PhD on the behaviour of pesticides in soils (York)
G: PhD at York
JM: BSc in Economics with an emphasis on political science. MSc and PhD in Environmental Economics. Lots of internships and research visits. Research Associate at SEI since 2005.
BM: Biological Sciences degree (Oxford University). PhD in Environmental Economics and Environmental Management (York), work experience (mainly practical conservation work) in the UK and New Zealand.
NB: I did a BSc in Zoology at Imperial College, London, followed by an MSc at the University of Reading and then my PhD at York. From my BSc onwards I was forever doing voluntary jobs - both in the UK and abroad, for various research establishments (e.g. Badger research group at Oxford University, Tour du Valat research station in France). After my MSc I volunteered on a project led by Dr. Evans of the University of Oxford to gather data on the flora and fauna of the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Caribbean. That was an EU funded project to develop ecotourism on the island and my main role was to conduct underwater surveys and help develop their marine parks. During my PhD and immediately afterwards I was also involved in further marine protected areas work. Again this was to help develop marine protected areas and support them from the local communities and my PhD research was to highlight the importance of well managed parks for marine tourism which provided good dollar returns to the island's economy. I also did a consultancy project in Djibouti, East Africa, before finishing my PhD and that was with PERSGA, again in the area of developing marine parks for tourism.
9. What advice would you give to someone intending to pursue a similar career?
CS: I never anticipated any particular job, hence, I cannot give advice on how to find this kind of job. I believe that you always of course need some luck to be at the right spot at the right time, but I think it is important to take chances! Do not be afraid and do not hesitate to make decisions. Also a lot of optimism and enthusiasm is important. And then just see what comes your way...
GJ: Don't wait until you have finished your MSc/PhD before making connections.
RM: Work hard and do not despair in the face of difficulties, learn a lot of math and learn time saving skills early (statistical programmes, to word process in LATEX, to manage bibliography databases professionally, etc.) Keep a long term plan and stick to it!
UP: Persevere!!
F: I've been lucky since I work in the team at CSL that I did my PhD with. So I don't really know what advice to give... try getting a PhD at CSL!
G: Be confident in your skills are pursue your own ideas.
JM: Do not wait for opportunities to be created for you - create your opportunities! Be active - contact people. Do not be shy. If you like what you are doing you will have something interesting to say. Develop sound methodological and quantitative skills.
BM: A PhD is not needed, but enthusiasm, and preferably work experience, are.
NB: Networking is probably the single most important aspect of finding a job. It is still very much who you know. Many jobs are not advertised and it is only by letting people know you are available and looking for something that you get to find out what is out there.
10. Contact details:
The following alumni have agreed to be contacted by students about their career paths. If you are particularly interested in the work and have some further questions, please feel free to contact them.
Christiane Schelten: christianeschelten@fzs.org
Glyn Jones: glyn.d.jones@csl.gov.uk
Roberto Martinez- Espineira: contact details available at http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~rmartinezesp/
Unai Pascual: contact details available at www.landecon.cam.ac.uk/staff/profiles/upascual.htm
Jan Minx: jan.minx@sei.se
