so you want to be a waste management consultant? geoff thompson waste 2012, coffs harbour
TRANSCRIPT
So you want to be a waste management consultant?
Geoff Thompson
Waste 2012, Coffs Harbour
What do consultants do?
Use specialist knowledge to advise and assist clients– Research / investigation– Modelling– Design– Project management– Communications– + more
Why are they needed?
Work load peaks Special expertise Credibility with client’s management Public Sector
– Outsourcing– Loss of expertise– Trend to generalists
Private sector– Outsourcing
Qualifications needed
Normally need tertiary qualifications Operations experience only – rare Undergraduate
– Engineering– Science– Env Health– Geography– Geology– Natural Resource Management
Qualifications
Post Graduate – some ideas:– Town planning– Economics
What will you do?
Sample, measure, test
Investigate and research
Model Analyse Study Design Write reports
Presentations Project Manager Client liaison Business
development Project Director Management Technical expert
Career progress expectations
Years 1-5 after graduation– Sample, measure, test– Investigate and research– Model– Analyse– Study– Design– Write reports
Years 5-10– + PM on small projects
Years 10+– PM on larger projects
Years 15+– PD
PM & PD roles require much client contact Or technical specialisation
What might you earn?
Graduate $60k total package 10 years experience ie 31 yrs old PM $110k 15 years experience technical expert or senior
PM $150k
Highly valued abilities
Time efficiency Good writing Technical excellence Business development
What else helps to succeed as a waste management consultant? Intelligence Hard work Get on with people Networks
GOOD LUCK
Geoff Thompson
Technical Director Environment & Waste Management, SKM
Phone 0418 985 817