1. Dr Emma Goodchild A Consultant’s Perspective
IEMS Careers Event, Salford University, 16th March 2017

2. Where I am now.. Over 20 years consultancy experience
Joined ClearLead Consulting Ltd as Associate Director in March after several roles in multinational consultancies
Offer high quality, niche consultancy services in energy, carbon and sustainability to global clients in industrial, commercial and public sectors.
Lead on Environmental Compliance Services
Supports clients in the implementation of a range of recognised international standards and corporate sustainability.
MSc and PhD in Environmental Management
Full Member of IEMA (MIEMA) / Chartered Environmentalist!

3. The Journey…
Completed my first degree in Natural Sciences in 1990, which was not a good time to graduate!
After travelling for year and then doing various low paid work was not having much luck applying for general graduate roles
Didn’t want to work in a lab or do further science research, but what else?
Further education seemed a sensible option, this time in something I was really interested in…
Started a part-time Maters Degree at Salford University in Environmental Resources in September 1992
Vocational Auditing Course ran by Salford University in September (4 days / week in industry and 1 day taught course)

4. The Journey (continued)
Unpaid work for a large chemical company, Solvay Interox Ltd, doing my masters thesis on environmental management systems
Awarded MSc in Environmental Resources in 1994
First ‘proper’ job started January 1994 (i.e. over 4 years after graduating) as part of a Teaching Company Scheme through Salford University
Registered for a part-time PhD, which was awarded in 1997

5. The rest is history…
September 1994 – December 1996: Solvay Interox Ltd – EMS Co-ordinator
January 1997 – June 2000: ‘Envirotech’ – Environmental Advisor / Team Manager
June 2000 – June 2007: Arcadis Geraghty and Miller – Senior Consultant / Principal Consultant
July 2007 – March 2016: Environ UK Ltd – Manager / Senior Manager
March 2016 – Present: ClearLead Consulting Ltd – Associate Director

6. Life as a Consultant
Not one job but a number of separate projects (hence timesheets!)
Challenging and diverse (keeping one step ahead), rarely boring..
Planning work load, deadlines and communicating potential problems
Travel opportunities (driving licence essential!)
Being able to write quickly and touch type is very useful…
Learn to promote your skills both internally and external – ‘People buy people’
You will need to become an all rounder (selling and doing)
Your clients are important, they pay your salary!

7. Tips Do some research into potential employers
Look directly on their websites for job adverts
Talk to your Lecturers about their contacts within industry
Offer to do work experience, although its better if you can suggest a project!
Make sure applications are well written and short (we have very little time so make it to the point..)
Ask someone more senior / experienced to review before submitting
Don’t be too specific about the type of work you want to do, the broader your experience the better in the early years!
Use IEMA and ENDS Career Advice

8. Understand the market - example

9. Summary Its not easy… Perseverance is key
Be passionate about your specialism, find something you like!
Talk to people and network ‘people buy people’
Develop a thick skin
Keep your options open
A little bit of luck (or actually probably a lot!)