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Scott Gudrich

Project Manager
What employment sector do you work in?

NGO

How long have you had a green job for nature?

3 years

Salary Range

<£20,000

Please describe the work that you do. 

I’m currently Project Manager for a grassroots community project designed to increase climate change resilience and enhance awareness around the climate crisis. My work includes creating events and workshops that appeal to a broad segment of the community (not just to people who are already “switched on”). I organise and lead these events and workshops, liaising with other local environmental action groups and engaging with local people and institutions. 

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

As an artist, I love how creative the job is. I work with a lovely and very supportive team of like-minded people. And, despite the gravity of the topic, there is a lot of positive energy I get from the work. I also find it very interesting to meet different people of different backgrounds and to try to find ways to facilitate a more mindful interaction with nature. 

What inspired you into this career?

I want to make a difference with my work. What’s the point of existing if you’re not going to do something positive and creative with your life and try to ensure the future of this planet?! 

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

There is never enough funding – neither for salaries (I make ridiculously little money and even though I don’t care about money, it would be nice not having to worry about paying the bills considering the importance of the work we do and the effort we put in!) nor for the projects where we often have to ask people – for example, artists – to basically donate their time even though they really should be getting paid! 

What education/training did you have? 

BSc in Environmental and Sustainability Studies 
MSc in Marine Environmental Protection 

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

Be flexible – don’t assume that you need to be trained specifically for a role to get a position; often what’s important are the transferable skills that you have and how you “click” with the rest of the team. Be prepared to work long hours for below-average salaries but that doesn’t mean you should be “thankful to have a job at all” – keep pushing for better working conditions and don’t forget to take care of yourself. As environmentalists, we deal with a lot of stress and self-care is super important! 

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