Compiled by: Careers and Employment Service, Student Services, Griffith University
This degree program develops an understanding of the relationships between humans and their social, physical and biological environments. These relationships form the basis of major environmental problems and opportunities facing us today. The program draws upon areas such as sociology, economics, anthropology and other social sciences to impart skills to manage our environment and create environmental policy.
As an Environmental Management student, you should be aware that in addition to discipline-related content and skills, you are acquiring other skills that are highly valued by employers. These skills, known at Griffith as “generic” or “professional” skills are sometimes referred to as “transferable”, as they can be transferred from one environment to another (learning to the workplace, part-time to professional work). To learn more about recognising your skills, go to Skills Explorer.
Environmental Management graduates are employed in a wide range of occupations and industries including:
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It is important to note that employers often do not specify a particular major or specialisation when recruiting. Some are even quite flexible about the degree applicants have studied, for example, some major employers recruit “any degree”. Such employers often indicate an interest in a broad range of graduate skills together with passion, commitment and a strong work ethic rather than specific program content. Your Environmental Management degree may be appropriate to a wide range of positions many of which may not seem obvious at first glance.
Some sample job advertisements
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority is seeking graduates with a background in natural resource management, fisheries management, marine science, economics, environmental science or a mixture of any of these disciplines. Graduates will be offered a twelve month development employment program with an understanding that those who perform effectively during this period will be guaranteed ongoing employment at Band 2 level. The training need of each individual graduate will be assessed during interview. People who move from interstate to take up a GEDP will receive relocation assistance and will include a component to pay for their return home should they not be appointed at the conclusion of the GEDP. All graduates will be subject to performance management with performance assessment occurring formally at the end of each work placement.
Tweed Shire Council is seeking a suitably qualified individual for an environmental project related to the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign an international initiative to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in local government areas.
Tweed Shire Council has reached Milestone 4 of 5 in the CCP campaign and the position would be responsible for achieving Milestone 5 of the CCP campaign.
Milestone 5 involves conducting a re-inventory of the Tweed Shire's greenhouse gas emissions through the collection of data (see below) and the entry of that data into the CCP software. Training in the use of the software will be provided to the successful applicant.
The position will report to the Sustainability Officer in the Environment and Health Unit at the Tweed Council main office in Murwillumbah and will be for a contract period of 2 months with a total package of $4,000 including all on-costs.
Position Title:
Cities for Climate Protection Support OfficerPrimary Objectives:
To achieve Milestone 5 of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign for Tweed Shire Council.Tasks to be undertaken include (but are not limited to):
* Cities for Climate Protection Campaign Software training.
* Data collection from the relevant units within Council (e.g. fuel consumption figures from the depot, electricity consumption figures from the finance unit).
* Date collation and entry into the CCP Software.
* Reporting requireSelection Criteria (includes but is not limited to):
Essential: Demonstrated, well developed written and oral communication skills. A demonstrated ability in data collection and collation.
Desirable: An understanding/appreciation of greenhouse gas reduction issues.The Department of Main Roads is seeking a graduate to assist the District Director and Unit Managers to ensure that Main Roads operations and works comply with environmental and cultural heritage legislation requirements and departmental policies and standards.
Degree qualification from a tertiary institution in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Engineering or other equivalent qualifications is mandatory.
Listed below are the names of some of the best-known graduate vacancy websites relevant to your degree. For links to these, and other useful sites, check Links in CareerBoard.
Australia
International
There are many other potential employers of Environmental Management graduates. Remember, many positions may never be advertised in newspapers or on the Internet. You will enhance your chances of finding the job you want if you identify potential employers, and approach them in one of the recognised ways, for example, via work experience, a speculative application, networking, or a workplace interview. For information on how to approach employers, see Career Smarter modules, Career connector and How do I Get the Job I Want.
There are over 200 Australian & international industry directories covering a wide range of industries in Careerboard including:
Employment prospects and starting salaries
You can significantly enhance your chances of obtaining graduate employment quickly and of securing your preferred job after graduation by using a number of simple strategies. Start preparing for graduate employment from your first year - see Making Employment Happen in Career Smarter. Make strategic use of course placements - see Career Experience, Making the Most of Your Prac, also in Career Smarter. Take a proactive approach to your job search by “marketing” yourself to prospective employers rather than simply relying on vacancies advertised in the press or on the Internet. Learn about proactive job search with Career Smarter modules Stand Out Job Search and Career Countdown.
While speaking directly with employers might seem daunting, it is a recognised and effective way of developing a career direction and finding graduate employment. One excellent strategy for meeting with employers is to join a professional association. Professional associations may conduct conferences, seminars, presentations and social functions to help members keep abreast of current practices and for networking purposes. For students, these events can be an excellent source of contacts and relevant information. Membership is usually open to students at a reduced rate. The following association websites relevant to Environmental Management students are linked to CareerBoard.