Geography/Env Jobs in Industry, How much does a top 10/20 Uni matter?

[Myjobisanightmare]

I get that in certain industries it matters greatly a bit like it’s not what you know it’s who you know matters

Geography Env is where my kids passion lies and yes we’ll have saved a pot of money for 3 years accommodation but there’s not an endless supply of cash from us beyond that so does child go away to a top 20 Uni and spend all the pot on accommodation in that city

Or go to a top 40 university on the door step stay at home use the pot for things such as a year’s study abroad, a car, rent for a years work placement somewhere else in the country etc etc

If both isn’t an option which is the best route to go down ??

Another option is to look into the Environment Agency apprenticeship scheme and complete a degree apprenticeship whilst working in the industry. Lots of internal movement and other training opportunities available for all levels including post graduate qualifications. Then either work your way up in the EA where the working conditions are great or move into the private sector where the pay will be better.

Yup. I designed. I did a lot of design work from the office. Roads. Railways. Dams. Buildings. Regeneration. EMS. EIA. Every company I’ve worked at we have done most projects through from initial site works to design to overseeing completion.

”Much easier life for anyone.”

How do you think your DH gets the necessary data for his projects if his company doesn’t “do” site works?

Yes to practical experience. Doesn't have to be unpaid summer internship either. Volunteering every wednesday afternoon throughout the academic year can be just as valuable, and free up time in the summer to earn money. Especially for roles that require fieldwork it can be a bonus to show you've been out in the pissing rain every week from November to March.

Also check if the degree involves key skills like GIS. That will open up a much bigger range of jobs beyond the environmental field.

Many people that I studied alongside have ended up in related jobs but often in roundabout ways.

Data comes from site investigators. They obviously work differently to you. They have made a lot of money though! They don’t work weekends. Yes, they do some site visits but not loads. Lots of work is for planning. Big housing estates.

We managed the site investigations, then did the detailed design and then quite often oversaw the construction phase. One stop shop. I guess much bigger projects than your DH does.

I could be wrong but pretty sure the majority of graduate don't go into the environmental field to be office based/easy life.

Avoiding office jobs is one of the reasons my DC has chosen this path.

@icelolly12Environmrntal Engineers design. They problem solve. Where do you think the computer design programs are? Not in the countryside. I’m not talking about environment scientists who don’t design anything. They inform design. I was discussing a way for those who value the environment to look at alternatives to low paid work which many thought was an issue. Environmental engineering is one such route. Usually via civil engineering. Avoiding an office works for some but others need more money and it’s engineers who work out the very big solutions for the population. So these are not the same jobs but can overlap. Eg designing to alleviate flooding and ensure clean water availability, designing for protection of habitats and making sure sewage is dealt with effectively. So much rides on design.

There would still be site visits etc involved in that work and design, rather just sitting in an office all day every day@PresentingPercy

Yes and no. Obviously depends on the site but site surveys is usually done by a separate team. The design engineers then design. It’s a bit horses for courses.

On site, Contractors follow designs and developers won’t pay for project management quite often . DH is a bit too expensive for that. Plus most developers can build what is designed. It’s not HS2 type of work! However for someone looking for site investigation work, this is available and anyone interested in the environment with the right background could get involved. It’s just not counting bats or analyzing ponds.