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Ruth Voigt

Environmental Sustainability Leader
What employment sector do you work in?

Private Sector

How long have you had a green job for nature?

21 years

Salary Range

> £50,000

Please describe the work that you do.

I currently lead the Environmental Sustainability Team at a large Construction company. My role includes managing environmental risks and opportunities on our projects. This could be identifying opportunities to protect and enhance nature through our projects and also at our own facilities. I also look at how we can reduce our impact on nature through how we operate our business by looking at the products we buy, the contracts we select and where we locate our facilities.

What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?

I love the legacy we leave when we create a new habitat or avoid having a negative impact on an animal, plant or habitat.

What inspired you into this career? 

I always wanted to work with animals and loved being in nature. My hobby of volunteering with local wildlife groups as a teenager became my job!

Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far? 

No, I have had what some may describe as a ‘squiggly’ career. I started out as an Ecologist carrying out surveys for animals and plants and have since used this knowledge to feed into lots of other parts of how businesses work. I have helped people understand risks to how they run a project or business and then used this knowledge to build financial budgets. I have managed projects and helped to win more work for my company in business development. I never imagined I would end up working in construction!

What education/training did you have?

I have 3 A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Geography and a degree in Ecology and Conservation from the University of Sussex.

I also have a Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

I have received lots of training over the years that has supported the development of non-technical skills like delivering presentations, management etc

What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession? 

Get outside and volunteer! The survey skills I learned through volunteering set me up for my first job post graduation. It also helped me meet people who worked in professions that interested me allowing me to learn more about my options for when I graduated. Once you have graduated look at wide sectors as there are many environmental roles out there, including those in Construction!

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Tags: England, Private sector, Industry, Environmental adviser, Sustainability adviser

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