What do you do?

I currently work as a consultant doing carbon output calculations and environmental impacts. The best way to explain it is an accountant for a corporation's environmental impact, it’s an industry that has seen major growth since 2020. We mostly work with Excel, due to the youthfulness of the industry the software platforms just haven’t been developed or don’t match the requirements.

Looking back, what advice would you give to current students?

My advice for students is firstly study what you are interested in, and know that everyone is struggling and has imposter syndrome. Just do the best you can and the difficult times will pass, but you have to have tried (and keep trying) as scary and hard as that is. I can’t stress enough everyone is confused and overwhelmed, some of the smartest people I know failed courses and wrote sups. It’s okay, if a degree wasn’t hard it wouldn’t be worth doing. So, support your friends and classmates, share notes and help each other. The last advice that I can give, is that lecturers are there to help and willing to help. And the scariest ones often give the best advice and are the most helpful when you approach them.

What challenges did you face when transitioning into the working world and how did you overcome them?

I have had a lot of difficulty, I will say without a doubt my mid and late 20s have been my hardest times. Leaving an institution isn’t easy and unless you have incredible luck, there is no easy way forward with many difficult decisions ahead. Job applications are scary, exhausting and most of the time you won’t hear anything back. Everyone I speak to in their mid-to-late 20’s feels lost, those who moved overseas after the romance wears off hates it. I say this to be honest, I am still adjusting, still getting used to only having a set number of hours to do a task. I think one has to accept that you will do work you are not interested in that tires you, but know it’s building to something that will interest you, engage you and motivate you.

What pulled you towards your field?

I don’t know anyone that was “pulled” into a field. You fall into it, something happens and then suddenly that’s the field you work in. Something will come along and if it pays, gives you future possibilities (training, upskilling etc) you just have to take it. I spoke to someone one day, while working as an Environmental Control Officer, who suggested I chat to his boss about something and then while talking to his boss I got a job working as a Climate Change Researcher. It’s random and there is definitely a large element of luck involved.

How do you see your industry evolving in the near future?

Massively, the past 3 years the industry has skyrocketed. I see a point in time where every major company is compiling an ESG report every year. There is so much space for growth in this sector and more and more companies are jumping onto the bandwagon.

How do you balance work and studies?

It’s so dependent on degree, industry and job. I am lucky in that I work for a company that has its employees’ best interests at heart (highly recommended, I’ve worked for companies that don’t take my best interests in mind and it makes such a difference). I will say balance is important and trying to not let one dominate, but you have to pay the bills and earn.