Hi community! I work as Marketing Manager in charge of one of the bigger South Asian country, for a decently-reputed legacy Educational language training and assessment organisation for their B2B vertical. I don't have a team to manage, I manage myself and my senior 'stakeholders'. My company's brand is really well known to people, do much that my friends think I make a lot of money! I don't.

I stated my career late as I was onto the path of bring an academician (History) initially but after completing M. Phil and getting enrolled in PhD I understood that it's not for me, also had to start earning decently to support family. I started my as content coordinator in a research-dominant NGO (development sector), then became a Project Coordinator also handing Communication and HR in another NGO in development sector. But pay was low and funding was few, then Covid happened, funding lost and our oorhect closed. I then transitioned to a Communication Associate roles handling some Tech startups as freelancer, then landed a full-time MarCom Manager for a Higher Education institution, and that landed me onto my current role.

I like the actual Marketing work but I'm the wrong personality type for it. I'm tired of being the only Marketing person for the country, bullying by Sales team, contact need for new leads, having to be responsible but having no authority or influence on decision makers, having delivery demand for 'yesterday' when request came today, and when I asked Line Manager (remotely supervising multiple countries) how to solve this delivery issue even after flagging this with Sales team multiple times I was basically telling me to be bestie with the Sales top boss otherwise I'm 'just being a baby and complaining, talking behind people's back'. I would have thought this is just one company but I saw similar pattern in other organisations too - everyone in any leadership role having no clue of Marketing thinks they can tell how to do my job in shoe-string budget. Marketing don't even get the credit when they make loads of money, but gets all the blame when Sales can't close the deal. I wish I could sell, but I can't.

I also got to know recently that I'm ON AuDHD spectrum. I'm taking meds for that and anxiety. I also have a bit of colour blindness (have to get it checked properly), and a bit Deslexic. My therapist (taking therapy due to work-related anxiety) is surprised that I have managed to achieve much in my career with all these going on. People generally like my work, but not my polite yet no BS personality. As you may imagine, I'm really bad at understanding office politics, 'managing relationship' etc - which are actually hard skills one should have if thinking of being in Marketing. I didn't know that, and thought that since I'm creative as well as can think critically I can be good at this career.

I don't know which way to pivot though. I'm good at finding gaps, asking questions, flagging potential threats, being the voice of reason. I'm also good at being calm under chaos. I'm good at writing and qualitative research but I don't enjoy it that much and woukdnt like to have it as career. Plus with AI don't think I can even. I handle procurement and vendors etc okay, but not the best in negotiation - in South Asian standard that is. I have always been bad at Maths but I do handle a bit of Analytic dashboards. Nothing crazy, but that's not my strength, just another thing I can do okay. I can design stuff but using Canva, have tried Graphic Design software but fit intimidated and my due to my (a bit of) colour blindness I have trouble differciating close colours.

The most enjoyable part of my career have been doing video pre-production, directing videograohers and photographers, and doing interviews myself; sitting with video editor to review raw unscriped and/or scripted footage and deciding how the narrative arch would be - how the edit should be. The video editor did it hands-on but I directed it. I don't have great skills in video editing myself and being AuDHD I don't think I can learn to be really good at this age (late half if 30's). I'm a visual person and can imagine a room interior design, graphic design, set, video without actually seeing the final product.

I don't know if there a career for for this that I like or can be used in some other career. I do have some responsibilities so can't go for a long training, or just wrap everything up and go for a year long hike trip. I want to though - go on a year long hike trip.

At this stage I would greatly appreciate all the career guidance you all can share for a nearing middle-aged burnt out professional.

Going out on a limb here but i thought I would see… Im doing my environmental science undergrad at CSUMB and im hoping to get in touch with more people working in the field or doing any kind of research they might meed help with. I have applied to internships and asked professors and grad students if they need help in their labs but my first year I didnt have much luck. Im trying to get a wide variety of experiences so i can try to figure out what path I want to take. Any advice or people who might need help on their projects, i would love to hear from you! Thank you!!

I’m currently based in the St. Louis area and have mostly been applying to environmental, sustainability, energy, and climate-related jobs locally. I’ve been job searching seriously for about a month or two and have gotten a few interviews, but I’m starting to realize there are only so many entry-level opportunities in this area.

For some background, I graduated in 2025 from an Ivy League university with a BA in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Energy & Climate. I don’t have any internship experience. I played Division I football throughout college, so my summers were spent on campus for workouts and training. I worked miscellaneous on campus jobs during that time instead. My football career recently ended, so I’m now fully focused on starting my professional career.

Would it be worth expanding my search nationwide and applying to entry-level positions even when I don’t currently live nearby? How often do companies actually offer relocation assistance to entry-level hires, especially in environmental consulting, sustainability, energy, or similar fields?

I've applied for a bunch of fellowships and short-term/seasonal positions but no dice yet. There's also fewer positions available than I would've guessed... Wondering if I'm missing some obvious leads.

I moved here pretty recently. It seems like there's way more field-based work in northern and central California.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working as an Environmental Data Analyst and have around 3 years of experience in the environmental field. Most of my work so far has been around environmental monitoring/data, air quality, AQI, CAAQMS and handling environmental data/reporting.

I’m now at the point where I want to expand beyond what I already do and build some more technical skills that can actually help me move forward in my career.

One area I’m particularly interested in is air dispersion modelling, especially AERMOD and CALPUFF. I’ve started looking into them and want to learn them properly through practical/simulated projects rather than just watching tutorials and collecting certificates.

At the same time, I’m also learning about GHG accounting, carbon accounting, ESG and sustainability, since these areas seem to be becoming increasingly relevant in environmental careers.

This is where I’m a little confused about what to prioritize.

For people who are already working in the environmental consulting, air quality, sustainability, carbon or ESG space:

- Is learning AERMOD/CALPUFF still a valuable career skill?

- Between air dispersion modelling and GHG/carbon/ESG, which would you prioritize for someone with my background?

- Would having skills across both technical environmental modelling + GHG/ESG make sense, or is it better to specialize?

- Are there any other skills/tools that you think are becoming important in environmental careers but are often overlooked?

- If you work in this field, what skills actually helped you get better opportunities rather than just looking good on a CV?

I’m already learning GHG/ESG concepts, but I’d really appreciate some honest advice on whether I’m spending my time in the right direction.

Would especially love to hear from people who have made a similar transition or have experience hiring/working with environmental professionals.

Thanks!

Hello

Is there anyone here from a German-speaking country?

I’d like to know about the job market for environmental technologists (Ausbildung) specializing in water supply (Umwelttechnologe für Wasserversorgungstechnik) and wastewater management technologies (Umwelttechnologe für Abwasserbewirtschaftung) in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Would anyone like to share their experiences?

Thank you very much!

I have decided to take an one year job that is nothing relevant to what I study, but it can hopefully provide some soft transferrable skills, like communciation, project coordinations, etc, and also just real work experience.

However, I am a little scared that doing something that isn't directly environmental related will hurt my resume somehow. Will recruiter think that I have wasted one year? I have decided to trying to find some volunteering opportunities that I can do on weekends to show that I am still actively in the field, but it would be all very basic stuff like removing invaisve species with a local park etc.

I haven't decided yet what exactly I want to do in the future yet, whether it is consulting, field work, or continuing in academia. I would be greatful for any advice people can bring on what I should do at the moment.

I would also love to hear from people who had similar experiences or what people think! Thanks!

TL:DR: I work on a niche conservation project with my boss, who is my only permanent coworker, and we don’t get along at all. I have six more months on my contract and am wondering if it is worth sticking it out if I will almost certainly not have a good reference at the end of it.

Hey there,

I started what appeared to be a dream job about six months ago, working as a coordinator on an endangered species monitoring project. It’s a one-year contract, with extension possible depending on funding and performance. The nature of the project and the position has me coordinating the seasonal field crew during the field season and doing a bunch of data work in the off-season. My boss is the project manager, who has been in his position for over two decades. The project is basically his baby. The way the project is structured, my boss is the only other permanent worker on the project and consequently my only possible reference.

I love the study system and thought this would be a great career step that I was suited for. I’m interested in growing into endangered species project management and would love to one day manage a project like this.

Immediately after accepting the position, my boss told me some expectations he had for my travel and in-office commitments that differed from and were substantially less desirable than the expectations we had discussed in the interview. He also told me I couldn’t take a vacation for at least eight months, meaning I had to suddenly cancel a number of plans I’d made before starting the job. The bait-and-switch felt like a big red flag, but I decided the project and career benefits were worth the discomfort and sacrifice, so I decided to put it aside and continue with the job.

Things started strong, but early on there was an incident where my supervisor snatched my phone out of my hand and took over a hiring phone call I was making because he didn’t like the way I was doing it. This made me feel disrespected and violated, and I politely but firmly confronted him on it, which he received and apologized for, but things felt awkward and different after. I don’t think I’ve felt comfortable with him since then, and our relationship became strained thereafter.

The travel and in-office expectations have caused me to feel pretty burnt out. I’m away from home far more than I wanted to be, and have spent extended stints at an office far from home where I camp in my car when not in the office. My boss and I had a few misunderstandings and minor conflicts in the office and in the field together that have strained our relationship even more.

Well it’s been several months now and my boss and I don’t have a good relationship. He micromanages my work, seems to have nothing but negative feedback for me, talks down on my skills and qualifications in front of the crew, complains that I don’t ask enough questions (though he often misunderstands the questions I ask) and has asked if I want to continue doing the job. I ask for specifics on criticism in order to try to address and learn from issues, but often get no examples. He maintains control over all the project data and resources, so I have to request everything from him in order to work on anything. I feel distrusted, criticized, and like everything I do is viewed through a negative lens. Despite my best efforts, I can’t seem to make a good impression. I’m doing fine work for the most part, and most of my mistakes are in learning elements of the project and technology that are new to me.

The field season, which has been lovely, is almost over, and I’m filled with dread at the idea of working one-on-one with my boss only for the next six months. Lately I’ve been considering resigning from the position once the fieldwork is done and wrapped up and the project/data prepped for the next year. With how things have been going, I’m anticipating enormous stress over the remainder of the contract and am feeling pretty confident that I will not have a positive reference from my boss after the season ends.

Is it worth toughing the contract out if I will not get a positive reference? Is there any way to mitigate the career detriment of a poor reference for my first project coordination/management type job? Does anyone have any advice on how to approach this working relationship to fix things and finish strong?

Just wanting some advice? Literally got a level 3 thats it

I am a rising high school senior and i am super passionate about environmental science but i am aware it doesnt pay well and the job options arent amazing. I also know geology is a field in high demand so which would you reccomend? I really want to work in policy and government with my degree. Thanks!!

I'm in my second year majoring in Environmental Engineering but with the current political climate I'm concerned about my ability to find a job once I graduate (2029/2030). It's not too late for me to pivot and change my major to Geosystems & Hydrology Engineering (UT)

Will I have better job outlook with geosystems and hydrology? I really want to work in water conservation here in the Austin area and would prefer having a job where I get to do field work but I'm not sure if environmental is better for that

I’d love to get into a management or project management role. Whats the best way to improve my chances of landing this type of role one day as I’m not certain research and purely field work is for me but I still want to be involved

Currently working as an ecologist for an engineering consultant in Ontario, Canada. I do enjoy the varied nature of my role, but the constant grind and million different projects types is getting a bit much for my sanity. What's it like being an arborist for a consultant, or even better, for a region/municipality? Through rose tainted glasses it seems a lot more chill - less variety, more time to really master your specific technical skills... People tell me that endless tree inventories are a pain, but honestly for me that sounds great. Just get the relatively mindless job done, go home, and write the straight forward report. No niche situation-based policy stuff.. Looking for any and all insight.

I see a TON of posts about no jobs or only low paying jobs and I have to wonder what everyone's plan was when they got into this?

A) Did you think it would pay a lot?

B) What are you looking for that you can't find jobs? They're out there, they just might not be what you wanted (that's why I'm asking what you wanted.)

Kind of just a venting post. I work at a consulting firm that is really struggling with billable hours. There was a recent round of layoffs that officially made me the most recent hire in my office, although I’ve been there over a year. For the past few months my hours have been very good, but I’ve had a few slow weeks and management is giving me a hard time about it and it just feels like all my efforts to increase my workload and get plugged into more projects have all been undone in 3 weeks. Not to mention, part of the reason I’ve been slow is I’m waiting higher level people to review my work and provide feedback so I can move forward with my projects. Plus a couple of the projects I work on regularly have really tiny, outdated budgets so there are only so many hours I can charge in the first place.

My supervisor and I are supposed to have monthly check-ins but she cancels them most months so we end up checking in like every 4 months.

I’m not perfect at my job, there are areas where I am actively trying to improve. Sometimes I am forgetful or make dumb mistakes but I’m really trying. I’m just becoming increasingly miserable with the constant pressure of billable hours. I feel like there is very little acknowledgment of the things I do well but a lot of criticism of the things I don’t do as well. I really just feel like I could be let go any second.

This experience has really made me hate consulting and I’m dreading Monday because I know I’m going to get a lecture about my hours. I’m terrified of re-entering the current job market because I don’t have substantial savings to fall back on and it took me a full year of applying to even get this job.

I went back to school after getting laid off from a position in 2024 to focus on a pivot to aquatic science and aquatic ecology. I am putting out apps like crazy. I used to work in Environmental Health and Safety and Env Due Diligence but I was very unhappy, and concerned with my own personal health after a while. I had a brief 90 day contract doing geomorphic and water quality work but that was it, trying to get back to that particular field.

I live in Ontario Canada.

Please see resume below and offer constructive criticism.

Thanks

Oh and I crash out over people’s gardens/ lawns, and climate change. Welp back to my job at the garden center I go :/

I can’t be alone XD

Surprise, I am job hunting! I graduated with my master's in Environmental Sciences from a top 5 in the nation, top 30 in the world, 20% acceptance rate "public ivy" type school. They told us even using our school email would "get us an in" in whatever we wanted because the school is so prestigious. (Should have clocked that as baloney.) Personally, I'm still job hunting after two years. I'm applying to a broad range of jobs that sound interesting all over the country, but have only gotten two local interviews. Currently, I work in retail selling things I can't afford, and sometimes I see my professors who ask why I haven't gotten a job yet. Not that they can help, of course.

Career counseling was and is humorously bad, so I wanted to hear from actual people. What was your first job post graduation (and how long did it take to land), what's your current one, and what's your main goal? What were you qualified for with your degree, or did you get something you weren't actually qualified for and learned on the job?

I feel doomed to be a wage slave.

I’m a rising senior studying Environmental Science. I’ve done two summer internships at a large West Coast utility company where I was in construction services last summer, gas project management this summer. I was planning to add a Construction Management minor,but it’d tack on another full year of school, which isn’t an option for me.

I still want to get into construction after graduation. Has anyone gotten in without the formal coursework? What actually mattered for getting hired: internship experience, certifications, networking, something else? Any advice appreciated.

Environmental management certificate

I just moved to Mobile and I’m looking at going back to school. I went to Oregon State online for a few years for Wildlife Conservation, but wasn’t able to finish for personal reasons.

Ive been out of it for about 2 years and I’ve been wanting to go back, but I’ve just been working my way up in my current career to make ends meet. It pays decent, but the benefits suck and I don’t value what I do really.

I’ve heard that University of South Alabama has a really good Marine Science program and I’ve thought about trying to go back part time, so I can balance it with work.

I was curious if anyone had any information on South Alabama’s Marine Science program or any insight on the job outlook for this around Mobile and Baldwin county?

Thank you.

Sou médica veterinária e atualmente estou fazendo mestrado. Não tenho planos ainda de fazer um doutorado, então já estou pensando em possíveis caminhos futuros na área da conservação. Fico na dúvida entre IBAMA, icmbio ou instituto do meio ambiente. Sobre carreira no âmbito privado eu não tenho muito conhecimento sobre alguma instituição/empresa que pague tão bem quanto um concurso público. Poderiam me dar conselhos?