Michelle Bielecka
What employment sector do you work in?
Industry Sector
How long have you had a green job for nature?
1 year
Please describe the work that you do.
I work for an environmental consulting company specialising in construction dewatering and water treatment. My role combines fieldwork, technical analysis and environmental compliance. I spend time on construction sites collecting groundwater and surface water samples, analysing water quality data and preparing management plans, discharge licence applications and hydrogeological impact assessments to support sustainable and environmentally responsible development.
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
What I enjoy most about my job is the variety and the sense that the work we do genuinely makes a difference. There’s honestly nothing I dislike about it because every project brings something new to learn or experience. Before starting in this field, I never realised how many environmental opportunities existed within the construction industry or how important environmental protection is throughout the construction process.
One of the most rewarding parts of the job is seeing a project evolve from the very beginning. You might first visit a site when it’s nothing more than green fields, and over time watch major infrastructure and buildings take shape. It’s incredibly satisfying knowing that we played a role in helping protect sensitive receiving waters and ensuring environmental compliance throughout construction.
I also love how varied the role is. One week I could be travelling to another county for groundwater sampling or a site walk, and the next I’m analysing data, preparing reports or developing management plans based on our findings. The balance between being out on site and working on the technical side keeps the job exciting, challenging and really engaging.
What inspired you into this career?
In my final year of college, I realised I wanted a career where I could work closely with the environment while doing practical, hands on work rather than spending all my time in a lab. Coming from a Zoology background, I adapted my thesis towards water and environmental monitoring and quickly became fascinated by the science behind it and the real world impact it can have.
At the time, I had never considered the construction industry as a path into environmental work and didn’t realise how many opportunities existed within it. When I came across my current role, it completely changed my perspective. It combined everything I was looking for, including fieldwork, problem solving, environmental protection and the chance to work on exciting projects that make a visible difference. It felt like the perfect opportunity to apply my scientific background in a practical and meaningful way.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
I haven’t faced any major challenges in progressing my career so far, but starting out as a young professional woman in a field that was completely new to me, particularly within the construction industry, was definitely daunting at first. There was a lot to learn and it could feel intimidating stepping onto large construction sites and into such a fast paced environment.
However, I quickly realised how supportive the industry and my team could be. From the beginning, I was encouraged to ask questions, learn on the job and build confidence in my abilities. That support made a huge difference and helped me settle into the role much faster than I expected.
What education/training did you have?
My educational background was slightly different to the traditional route into my role. I studied Biomedical Science and specialised in Zoology, which gave me a strong scientific foundation and helped develop skills in research, environmental science and data analysis. During my final year, I became increasingly interested in water and environmental monitoring, which led me towards the environmental consulting industry and showed me how transferable my degree was into this field.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
Don’t be afraid to speak up. Being the youngest person in the room can feel intimidating at times, especially when starting out in a new industry, but you are there for a reason. Your ideas, questions and input matter, and getting involved is one of the best ways to learn and grow as a young professional. Confidence comes with experience, and the more you participate, the more comfortable and capable you become.
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Tags: Republic of Ireland, Industry sector, Environmental adviser
Date profile submitted: 20/05/2026
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