Kay Cocks
Name: Kay Cocks
Employer: MWH UK Ltd.
Area of work: environmental engineering
University: Keele University (2005)
Subject: BSc physical geography and geology
Postgraduate qualification: MSc environmental biogeochemistry, Newcastle University (2007)
It has always been important to me to enjoy what I do, so I chose my A levels and subsequent degree based on my favourite school subject – physical geography. I knew I wouldn’t be suited to a routine office job but didn’t know a career in land quality was for me until I graduated from my masters degree.
Getting experience for an environmental career
I got the experience I needed quite easily – I researched my thesis at a small local environmental consultancy and worked as an unpaid field assistant in Iceland for an environmental charity. I did most of my job-hunting at graduate careers fairs and evening presentations on industry projects. On one occasion, I walked over to a woman at a stand with the opening line ‘I want your job, how do I get it?’ and that woman is now my boss.
Day-to-day life as an environmental geologist
If I am in the office I analyse data, write reports and carry out desk studies. When I’m in the field I carry out site investigations to assess land quality, which can mean anything from monitoring groundwater to digging trial pits and drilling boreholes. Our clients are mainly in the utilities and global industrial sectors, but the work varies greatly from client to client and site to site, so I’m always adapting my technical knowledge and skills. I’m based in Newcastle and the work is mostly regional but there are plenty of travel opportunities for those who want it – a colleague has just moved to Abu Dhabi for two years!
The highs and lows of the environment sector
One of the nicest parts of my job is the extra responsibility on offer: I’m a health and safety advocate, fire warden and equipment keeper. My biggest highlight was being made the UK expert for monitored natural attenuation (a type of remediation – which is the term for leaving the site in a workable state eg. contaminant free or suitable for development) and I love the fact that no two projects are the same. Fieldwork in good weather is a joy – it makes the working week go so much more quickly! It can be hard going when a site investigation has resulted in over 100 samples to analyse back at the office, though. In five years’ time I would like to be a senior land quality consultant here, and well on my way to becoming a chartered geologist.
Advice for graduates who want an environment job
When you apply for a graduate job in the environment sector, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to do. Transferable skills are great, but your CV is more likely to be put on the interview pile if you have a specialism in mind. Make experience the focus of your application – find an internship for yourself or volunteer for a charity if your university doesn’t organise placements.
