As part of Green Careers Week IES Member Alison, Technical Director EIA at Binnies, talks to the IES about her career journey and what a typical day in the life looks like.
What has your career path looked like?
When I left university, I got my first job as a graduate environmental consultant with an engineering consultancy, delivering environmental assessment and CEEQUAL (now known as BREEAM Infrastructure) assessments for infrastructure projects. I had to move away from home and from my university town, but the move was worth it for those valuable first years of experience. In particular, I had the opportunity to follow a major project through from design, consenting and into construction over my first six years. I really enjoyed the construction phase and so made a move to work in construction, taking on a role as Environment and Sustainability Manager for a Principal Contractor. In this role I was charged with improving environmental standards in construction, for example delivering on targets to reduce waste to landfill, resource consumption and good practice on site.
I spent three years in this role before moving back to consultancy, but now with an improved insight into construction. Since then I have been primarily involved in environmental assessment. I feel like my construction experience has improved my understanding how the mitigation or commitments we make at the consenting stage would be implemented by a contractor.
What does your current job role entail?
My role is to deliver environmental assessment, usually related to projects to provide new or improved infrastructure. My main responsibilities are agreeing the scope and method of delivery for the assessment, directing and coordinating the delivery of the assessment with my team, and undertaking reviews and approvals. I also get involved in related aspects such as design development and optioneering, the development of mitigation and the preparation of environmental management plans.
Is there a particular notable project that you have enjoyed?
Over the course of my career I have been involved in some fantastic projects including facilities for the London 2012 Olympics, Crossrail (now known as the Elizabeth Line) and in developing a masterplan for the Silverstone race circuit.
Personal highlights include driving around the perimeter track of Silverstone, a meeting in the British Racing Drivers Club HQ and a brief walk through a garage full of Porsches and Ferraris. These are things I never expected to do as part of my job!
Having worked mainly in the road and rail sectors for many years, more recently I made a change and moved into the water sector. It is an exciting area to work in, with investment in new and improved infrastructure needed to address flooding and water supply. For anyone in a similar position considering opportunities to gain more experience in another area – do it! It has been nowhere near as difficult as I envisaged it could be.
Have any further qualifications, training, internships, or volunteering been valuable to your career journey?
I took a module in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as part of my undergraduate degree and really enjoyed it. I continued with an MSc in EIA – so this has been invaluable in providing me the background for my career journey.
Chartership has also been an important goal for my role. I obtained full membership and then Chartership through IES, and found these both to be important stepping stones for my career.
Maintaining CPD records is just as important and should not be overlooked, as it can help highlight gaps in training and help target career planning.
Have you faced any barriers or unfair treatment in the workplace at any stage of your career?
I would not say I was unfairly treated, but I was very conscious of attending meetings as a (young and less experienced) woman early in my career. Not wanting to appear any less worthy of having a place on a team did give me drive at the time. Over the years I have become more comfortable as I have gained experience. Seeing increased diversity in the workplace and awareness of diversity has helped too.
If I were a young professional starting my career now, I may feel the situation has improved but I do not think all the work in this area is done.
What one piece of advice you would give to an individual starting their career in the environmental sector?
Try every experience offered to you as you never know where the path will take you.
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