Past Graduates - Glen Weston, Environmental Officer, Rail Services, NSW

A career in Geography and Environmental Science can provide an interesting and rewarding working life. I have recently been employed with Rail Services Australia as an Environmental officer. This role revolves mainly around assessing the impact of infrastructure developments on the biophysical and social landscape of NSW , however Geographers are employed in all manner of industries and roles, from land management, to market research.

GIS is an exciting and ever expanding industry, knowledge of which greatly improves ones employability in the Geography job market. New technologies for collection, storage, analysis and display of spatial data are emerging at an unprecedented rate, providing the Geographer with innovative and powerful tools for analysing complex spatial relationships. Employment opportunities exist for those with a grasp of the new technologies and an understanding of the data, its sources, accuracy, and potential meanings. At RSA, GIS enables a range of information to be supplied in the planning stages of a project greatly assisting assessment of potential environmental impacts. Mapping of noise and pollution studies, threatened species, National Parks, Aboriginal heritage sites, vegetation, soil type, water courses and legal responsibility assist in the decision making process and aid communication of information to the community. The result (hopefully) is greater care in the development and planning of new works.

Field based site inspection and data collection remain essential components of environmental impact assessment, as does knowledge of the relevant legislation. Thus, a variety of skills and roles are performed by the professional Geographer working in an environmental compliance role, ensuring a varied and interesting working environment. Furthermore, the analytical, communicative and technical skills obtained studying and working under the broad banner of geography are highly adaptable and sellable across the entire job market. A change of direction is always on the cards. Opportunities for employment and further study both in Australia and overseas increases in tune with ones skills and knowledge of the industry.

Cheers

Glenn