Hitting the ground running in Environmental Management: how a degree apprenticeship kick-started Alena's career

After her A-Levels, Alena considered her options and decided to undertake a degree apprenticeship in Environmental Management. Read about her experiences so far, and why this was the right choice for her.

Alena went to Sir Issac Newton Sixth Form in Norwich for A Levels, studying Maths, Chemistry and Geography. She chose subjects that she enjoyed and had an interest in, although the Geography A Level was also chosen with a view to pursuing a career in the environmental field.

Upon completing her A Levels, Alena took a gap year, which is when she came across a four-year Environmental Apprentice vacancy in Norfolk, partnered with ARU: ‘I don’t have any regrets in taking the time to approach things in a considered way.’

Striking a balance

Alena says:

‘An average day as an Environmental Apprentice is split between office-based work, writing up inspections and audits and general admin tasks and being in the field undertaking inspections and monitoring environmental aspects of site, such as soil and watercourses.

'It is a varied role, and I enjoy the balance between being office based and out in the field. The benefit of being out in the field is that I learn so much better when I see things first-hand.

I am now in my second year, and what I would say about this approach to gaining a degree is that it is a great way to start your career with minimal prior knowledge, and it enables me to learn how the industry works alongside my studies. I will have both the practical experience and the knowledge by the time I graduate.

'Getting paid at the same time, is also something I considered. I will not have the same level of debt and will be in a stronger financial position when I graduate.'

Making a real impact

Alena continues:

'My end-of-year assignment for Year 1 was to create a case study based on a particular geographical site and I chose to study the Broads National Park. Our brief was to describe how climate change had affected this site.

'I contacted someone from the Broads Authority to secure a contact at the site. This led to me visiting their offices to undertake an informal interview with one of their representatives and I secured a lot of information about the site and how it is being affected by climate change. I then went on a field trip with them to visit one of the sites that has been most affected.

'I presented my findings in a report, and this was shared with the Broads Authority as well as being submitted to my Module Leader. Shortly afterwards I was contacted by the Broads Authority to ask if they could use my work to support their fieldwork delivery to GCSE and A level Geography or Environmental Science students who visit them on a field trip from across the region.

'It is quite exciting to know that I am helping younger people to learn about something I am passionate about. I feel enthused and I am entering my second year of study with an enhanced motivation to do more and be better.'

Treading a careful path

Alena adds:

'My advice to anyone considering higher education is to choose something that you are passionate about and have a genuine interest in, as this will mean you will want to keep learning more. Make the most of the people around you, both in university, the workplace and the networks you are exposed to.

'Whichever path you take, take your time in making your decision.'

Leading the way

Kate Hiseman, Senior Lecturer in Practitioner Environmental Management at ARU Peterborough, says:

'Alena's approach in looking at ways to address climate change, carbon issues and achieving net zero is a great example of the confidence that apprentices gain when combining work with our BSc Hons Environmental Management degree.

'They are encouraged to link their academic studies with the needs of the organisations they work in, but also to look beyond this and use their skills and knowledge to benefit their local area.

'The legacy that she has created by contributing to the Broads Authority GCSE and A Level curriculums means that children will understand more about their local area and the environmental pressures they face, but also may be inspired to follow in Alena’s footsteps and develop a career in the environmental sector'.

If you've been inspired by Alena’s story, why not find out more about our Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship and other degree apprenticeship courses?

If you're an employer who's interested in developing an Environmental Management degree apprentice like Alena, visit our Environmental Practitioner employer information page.