Natural Resources and the Environment

This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in Natural Resources and the Environment, which includes cartography, exploration and mining.

You might also be interested in our pages on careers in Environment and Land-based careers.

 

What are careers in natural resources and the environment?

There is a wide range of technical and commercial opportunities open to graduates in the oil, gas and petroleum industries - the natural resources we use on a daily basis.

Oil companies generally recruit internationally, so UK graduates will often be in competition with those from the USA and Europe. (Prospects).

According to Cogent, the sector skills council for oil, petroleum and gas, the sector covers 19,000 employers, who together employ over 850,000 people. (Cogent)

AGCAS

Industry insights are published by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS).

National Guidance Research Forum (NGRF) - Energy and Utilities sector

Summary of NGRF research findings:

  • The energy and utilities sector employs nearly 530,000 people.
  • The need to replace workers who retire or leave the sector means that there will be a demand for approximately 150,000 new entrants up to 2014, of which 45,000 will be in skilled trade occupations.
  • Recycling has seen its workforce grow by almost 200% since 1986.
  • Employment levels in waste collection, treatment and disposal have increased by almost 70%.
  • Women make up 24% of the workforce compared to the UK average of 43%.
  • The proportion of female workers is particularly low in the electricity and waste management industries.

Prospects

Targetjobs

Career sector - Environment

How do I get into it?

Relevant degree subjects include Geology, Geography, Environmental Sciences and Ecology and Biogeography.

Pre-entry experience is not always necessary, but is often advantageous. Many companies now offer summer and year long placements.

  • Cogent
    Cogent is the sector skills council for the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries.
  • Energy and Utility Skills Council
    The sector skills council for energy and utilities, which includes labour market and careers information for electricity, water and recycling.
  • Go-Geo!
    A tool designed to help you find geo-spatial courses, training, events and related resources in the UK.
  • Lantra
    Lantra is the sector skills council for the environmental and land-based sector.
  • Prospects Community - Engineering, and Manufacturing

Finding a job or employer in this sector

  • British Cartographic Society
    Find out more about careers in cartography. This website has a careers and vacancies section.
  • British Geological Survey
    Find out more about careers with a geology or related degree. Also includes vacancies.
  • Earthworks
    This is a vacancies website for jobs across the energy and natural sciences sectors.
  • The Energy Institute
    Caters for energy professionals seeking new challenges as well as new entrants to the field.
  • EnergyZone
    Energyzone is provided by the Energy Institute. The website provides an initial starting point for advice on energy studies and energy careers, with signposts to many other sources of information.
  • The Environment Agency
    Information about career opportunities across England and Wales.
  • Environmental Data Service
    Provides environmental intelligence for professionals in Europe, including news, jobs, events.
  • The Geological Society
    Information on training, professional development and vacancies.
  • New Scientist
    Online magazine that has a jobs section as well a careers information for people at any stage of their career.
  • Oil and gas jobsearch
    A jobsite for the oil and gas industry. As well as jobs you will find CV tips and can sign up to receive a newsletter by email.
  • Oil Careers
    Job search facility, training, community and careers information sections as well as a comprehensive list of company profiles.
  • Ordnance Survey
  • Scottish Environment Protection Agency
    SEPA's main aim is to provide an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for Scotland.

Further information and useful links

  • British Antarctic Survey
    British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is one of the world's leading environmental research centres and is responsible for the UK's national scientific activities in Antarctica. They have a careers and vacancies section.
  • Careers in Renewable Energy
    A special report brought to you by The Ethical Careers Guide.
  • Ethical Careers in Science Design and Technology
    Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) has put together a set of resources to help scientists and engineers gain a deeper understanding of ethical issues in science, design and technology, and help them choose an ‘ethical’ career in this area. This page lists their current publications.
  • Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
    IOM3 is the Global Network for the Materials Cycle. Here you will find lots of useful information relating to materials, minerals and mining. Included are students, careers and training sections.
  • Institute of Mechanical Enginners (IMECHE)
    The IMechE is the United Kingdom's qualifying body for mechanical engineers. In addition to careers information and vacancies there are industry insights which are available as RSS feeds.
  • Institute of Quarrying
    This is a national organisation for the quarrying industry. Amongst other things you will find an education and professional development section.
  • Natural Environment Research Council
    The United Kingdom's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) provides independent research and training in the environmental sciences.
  • Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB)
    The PESGB has industry news, information, field trips and lecture opportunities.
  • Worldwide Worker
    WorldwideWorker.com is the global leader in energy jobs for engineers and professionals. Find a job in Oil & Gas, Renewables, Electricity, Power, Mining, etc. You can apply from anywhere, at anytime.

Key points

  • There is a wide range of technical and commercial opportunities open to graduates in the oil, gas and petroleum industries.
  • Oil companies generally recruit internationally.
  • Pre-entry experience is not always necessary.

Resources

Industry insights are published by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS).