Education:
Master of Fine Art – Edinburgh College of Art
BA-Hons Fine Art Printmaking – Duncan of Jordanstone Art College, Dundee
HND Public Art – Falkirk Colleget
Current Job:
Waste Minimisation Adviser
Employer:
Falkirk Council
I worked as a recycling adviser for SWAG and was based at Falkirk Council where I was treated as any other council employee. The Waste Minimisation post came up within the council and after applying I was offered the job.
Before working as a recycling advisor I had volunteering experience with the Changing Room Gallery in Stirling which gave me valuable experience working with a wide variety of people on a wide variety of projects. Every aspect of running a gallery and setting up exhibitions and events was covered in the training I received with the gallery.
I also volunteered occassionaly with the WRVS mainly at promotional events; the role involved the recruitment of new volunteers. I also worked in a textile recycling factory sorting clothes for re-use and re-distribution.
What’s a typical day like?
My days vary greatly. I can be out doing roadshows promoting reducing, reusing and recycling one day, household visits another day and sat in the office arranging campaign materials the next. Last week I was out with a photographer getting photos of recycling centres and people using their wheelie bins. No two days are the same.
Best bits of your job?
Meeting people and being able to help them resolve any problems they may have regarding their bins and the day to day variety of the job.
Worst bits of your job?
Looking into bins that for whatever reason have been left unemptied for some time.
What would you like to be doing in five years time?
I would still like to be involved in the waste industry as it is varied and interesting, you can have a positive impact on the environment and keep people informed so that they too can benefit the environment.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in waste management, prevention and recycling?
I would like to promote this as a good career choice, its not really one that I considered, I sort of stumbled across it. I enjoy my work and can apply skills from a variety of jobs I have done in the past that would not necessarily be associated with the waste and recycling industry.
