Lack of environmental jobs?

Feckoffcup

Currently studying environmental management at masters level distance learning and looking for work too. I could probably count on one hand the number of jobs available I have about 2 years experience working in relevant jobs however they were paid and unpaid internships etc. Thinking about packing it all in and working in another sector, anyone else in the same position?

rhino1

Really hard to find jobs in this sector .
Greencareers.ie was a sad loss for the environmental job sector.
You have to be prepared to compromise, possibly look at adding to the c.v to gain a job

Youredeadright

Yeah I'm in that sector but got all my experience abroad. Back in Ireland now and its crazy how tough a sector it is here. I think part of it is the fact that so many businesses use a EHS officer. It make sense for a company of a certain size to do so but I have never met someone who trained in Environmental Science licking their chops about spending half their week doing H&S work. On the flipside, if you're happy to do the H&S stuff you'll always be in demand.

For the straight environmental jobs, it seems like the public sector environmental jobs pay better and have better conditions than the consultancy work. In Australia and New Zealand, where i was prior, you got higher pay in private but better work/life balance and security in the public sector.

One thing I still don't understand is the lack of environmental jobs in government departments - anyone got an idea why? All I can compare it to is Aus and NZ, where I was, and there ar always loads of government environmental jobs. Is it a case that they hire consultants on secondment instead of hiring staff? I've been back over a year and haven't seen one environmental position come up in department.