Mark K.
About me
| Mark K. | |
| Chemistry | |
| Chemistry | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Derwent | |
| 1974 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Soil Scientist | |
| MK Soil Science Ltd / Cranfield University | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Environment and energy | |
| Small business (0-49 employees) | |
| 2002 |
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A day in the life of a Soil Scientist in the United Kingdom
I graduated in chemistry but my scientific work is now closer to biology and geography. I did not expect to have a career that took me on varied path through the civil service, industry and Universities.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
I have several roles: Principal of a micro-consulting company; Emeritus Professor at Cranfield; Vice-Chair of Dorset Wildlife Trust
What do you do?
I provide expertise on the management of soil resources at global, national and local levels. I use my business expertise to support several charities.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
In my gap year, I became a convinced environmentalist through experiencing remote natural environments. In my last year at York I found out about soil science and did an environmental chemistry project in the Biology department. I then went on to do postgraduate soil science at Aberdeen. In different ways, I have stayed with this choice of an environmental career over a very long time.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Yes, in fact I don't think I had a clear idea where I would end up. I graduated in chemistry but my scientific work is now closer to biology and geography. I did not expect to have a career that took me on varied path through the civil service, industry and Universities. I certainly never imagined I would eventually become a professor and head of a university department.
Describe your most memorable day at work
I had national responsibility for agriculture at the Environment Agency during a foot and mouth outbreak. As well, I had the lead on policy on environmental transmission of prions (mad cow disease). The most demanding day in my career was one when I had to make real-time decisions on national carcass disposal policy under extreme pressure from ministers to be less precautionary than I believed essential to protect human health.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
Mid career, the national laboratory I worked in was to be privatised. I decided to make my own way in the private sector. I got an MBA and found the transition from science to being MD of a 400 person environmental consulting and testing business very demanding. I had to learn different cultural and coping approaches and a whole set of new skills. After several successful years, I got bored with making money for shareholders and reinvented myself as an environmental policy expert. The learning point is that life is not a dress rehearsal and you need to "live adventurously" but know what you really want.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
I have worked in very formal and informal cultures. I now work either in a home office or hot desk in clients' and other workplaces.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I spent lots of time rowing and was in the University VIII. I think it probably helped me with team skills and also possibly made me more competitive. I was also treasurer of Derwent JCR but this was just an excuse to be part of hiring and meeting great musicians!
What would you like to do next with your career?
I am focused on helping others, whenever I can, with whatever I can. It is about making a contribution, through doing things that I think are useful to make a better World. I am longstanding and committed Quaker and see what I do as service.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Be opportunistic, but also strategic by having a clear vision of what you hope to achieve over the next few years. Get professional as distinct from academic qualifications. Make sure that you experience a wide range of environments and cultures - the World is a vast landscape of possibilities and exploring these is the only way to find them.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
If you are ambitious for taking care of the natural environment and want a career that works for it, I think I can help. It may be in business, government, NGOs or research - I have experience of all of these.
Next steps...
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