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 page on careers in Environment
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). Relevant degree subjects include Geology, Geography, Environmental Sciences and Ecology and Biogeography. Pre-entry experience is not always necessary, but is often advantageous
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)
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with a range of job profiles covering mining and land surveying:including hydrologist, geochemist, minerals surveyor and mudlogger.
www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs_mining_and_land_surveying
Prospects have also produced a series of 'sector guides', which gives an insight into a number of industries. These include information about the sector on a global scale, the key employers and useful contacts and resources. They are available in hard copy from the careers centre or online at:
- Energy and utilities
www.prospects.ac.uk/industries_energy - Environment and Agriculture
www.prospects.ac.uk/industries_environment_agriculture
Targetjobs
Targetjobs is a graduate careers website with the following job sector information.
targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/environment
Cogent
Cogent is the sector skills council for the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries.
Demand is high for skilled managers, engineers and technicians, scientists, process operatives and professionals. The Cogent sector is technology-driven and fast moving and entrants need to be flexible and committed.
The Cogent industries traditionally provide well-paid, long term careers and opportunities to progress in the UK and in some cases around the world. Lifelong learning underpins the approach to training and development, as does an employer commitment to health, safety and the environment.
www.cogent-careers.com/
National Guidance Research Forum (NGRF) - Energy and Utilities sector
- 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.
www.guidance-research.org/future-trends/energy
Energy and Utility Skills Council
This is the sector skills council for energy and utilities, which includes labour market and careers information for electricity, water and recycling.
http://www.euskills.co.uk/
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.
Prospects Community - Engineering, and Manufacturing
Go-Geo!
This is a tool designed to help you find geo-spatial courses, training, events and related resources in the UK.
www.gogeo.ac.uk
Lantra
Lantra is the sector skills council for the environmental and land-based sector.
www.lantra.co.uk
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.
www.cartography.org.uk
Ordnance Survey
British Geological Survey
Find out more about careers as a graduate with a geology or related degree. On this website you find geology careers information and vacancies.
www.bgs.ac.uk/
Earthworks
This is a vacancies website for jobs across the energy and natural sciences sectors.
www.earthworks-jobs.com/
The Energy Institute
This website caters for energy professionals seeking new challenges as well as new entrants to the field.
www.energyinstitute.org.uk/
Energy and Utilities Jobs1
Advertises vacancies nationwide. Part of the One Job Group.
http://energyandutilitiesjobs1.co.uk/
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.
www.energyzone.net/default.asp
The Environment Agency
You'll find lots of information here about career opportunities across England and Wales, and details about how to apply.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/jobs/
Environmental Data Service
Provides environmental intelligence for professionals in Europe, including news, jobs, events.
www.ends.co.uk
The Geological Society
Here you will find a comprehensive careers section inlcuding information on training, professional development and, of course, jobs.
www.geolsoc.org.uk/
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
SEPA's main aim is to provide an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for Scotland. If you want to be part of it, then check out the jobs section of their website.
http://jobs.sepa.org.uk
New Scientist
Online magazine that also has a jobs section as well a careers information for people at any level of their career.
www.newscientistjobs.com
Oil Careers
There is a job directory as well as a specific job search facility. You will also find a training section, community section and careers information section as well as a comprehensive list of companies and their profiles.
www.oilcareers.com
Oil and gas jobsearch
A jobsite for the oil and gas industry. As well as jobs you will find CV/Resume tips and can sign up to receive a newsletter by email.
www.oilandgasjobsearch.com/
Further information and useful links
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.
www.sgr.org.uk/ethics
British Antractic 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.
www.antarctica.ac.uk/
Natural Environment Research Council
The United Kingdom's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) provides independent research and training in the environmental sciences.
www.nerc.ac.uk
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.
www.iom3.org
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.
www.imeche.org
Institute of Quarrying
This is a national organisation for the quarring industry. Amongst other things you will find an education and professional development section.
www.quarrying.org/
Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB)
The PESGB has industry news, information, field trips and lecture opportunities.
www.pesgb.org.uk/pesgb/system/default.asp
Careers in Renewable Energy
A special report brought to you by The Ethical Careers Guide.
www.ngomedia.org.uk/artman/uploads/CareersInRenewables.pdf
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.
www.worldwideworker.com