Education:
M.Sc. (Business), 2001
B.Sc. Hons (Biochemistry & Pharmacology), 2000
Current Job:
Project Officer / Research Fellow
Employer:
Caledonian Environment Centre (part of Glasgow Caledonian University)
I applied for a position after working with the organisation on a short-term temporary contract basis.
What’s a typical day like?
It’s always a bit of a cliché but every day can vary. Although a lot of work involves data modelling (on spreadsheets for example) and analysis there are many other things that can quickly fill a typical day. At any given time we might have several pieces of work with Local Authorities underway at the same time and keeping track of this and keeping the local authority officers updated can be time consuming itself. At the Caledonian Environment Centre we also get the opportunity to be involved in many other projects and this might involve meetings with new clients, work for the private sector or even assisting the government with a piece of work. The key is to be flexible, manage your time and teamwork. The Centre benefits from a strong sense of loyalty and of teamwork with all who work here, and this can be particularly helpful during busy periods or challenging projects.
Best bits of your job?
Developing and working in partnership with the Local Authorities to provide helpful and practical advice on the many aspects of waste management, prevention and recycling services and then seeing that effect come to fruition with increased recycling rates.
Worst bits of your job?
Sometimes you feel like your eyes might go square with the amount of time spent looking at PC monitors!
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in waste management, prevention and recycling?
Although I didn’t specifically graduate in a waste management based degree course I think the industry can cater to almost everyone’s skill type. Having a waste management degree would certainly be an advantage and help with understanding the principles of the industry but there are still plenty of opportunities that require a broad range of skills as well as the more specialised skills too. Recent research we undertook at the Centre suggests that over 4,500 jobs have been created in the last few years in the industry. Furthermore with the new recycling targets announced there should be plenty more opportunities in coming years required to deliver these targets and increase recycling in Scotland and the UK. Trying to understand what skill you do have and how they would be applicable to the industry and useful to an employer is a good starting point.
