Ever spent hours doing something like gardening or a recycling program and thought: “I wouldn’t mind doing this as a job”? Well, for those who did, you’re in luck, because you can, in fact, make sustainability your full-time job with good career prospects.
Even if you haven’t thought about it before, there’s merit to joining this industry, such as the ambitious Singapore Green Plan 2030 is currently being actively promoted by the government. With plenty of prospects, opportunities, and projects flowing into our little red dot, now is the perfect time to think about ditching the grey shades of an office cubicle for something a little greener.
Clearing the air
Before we talk about the different jobs in this area, let's dispel some myths and get some misconceptions out of the way. The first major myth is that all jobs in the sustainable sector are “dirty”, or require you to get their hands dirty, which is completely untrue.
On the contrary, there are a ton of different eco-friendly jobs that are more traditionally corporate like an ESG analyst or a sustainability specialist that mainly deals with paperwork and planning. In fact, one of the best parts about the green sector is that applicants can choose if they want to work within the more familiar professional structure, or want a more hands-on approach.
The second myth is the assumption that any skills that you learned in the green sector stay in the green sector. Not true: with sustainability now a major global topic (thanks to climate change), many industries are now looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. In turn,there will always be eco-friendly occupations in different industries where you least expect them to be, making such skills highly transferable.
Lastly, there is the myth that jobs in sustainability aren’t as financially stable as more conventional jobs. In fact, the increased concern about climate change has led to the introduction of the Green Economy, which is focused on creating a lifestyle around being environmentally friendly.
As such, there’s a heavy emphasis on growing this industry, which also drives the demand for people with green skills, knowledge and experience up. In doing so, employers are willing to pay more to secure the best candidates, which can lead to an increase in salaries as well as financial stability.
Possible roles
Ecologist
One possible route you can consider is that of an ecologist. Essentially the “doctors” of the natural world, they are in charge of safeguarding the environment from human impact. I know, this may not be the kind of doctor your parents want you to be but hear me out.
You’ll get to study all manner of flora and fauna in order to understand how each element interacts with one another. You’ll get a chance to consult for multiple agencies, both private and government, across different sectors like construction and civil engineering when it comes to environmental impact.
While you might still deal with paperwork and meetings, there’s also fieldwork involved. Ecologists use a variety of equipment from high-tech night vision goggles and electronics for observation to old school techniques like setting bait and traps for active surveillance. Once the relevant samples or information have been collected, they bring it back to a laboratory to map out ecological changes in the environment.
This means that not only will you be dealing with a variety of people on the job, you’ll be working in many different settings both indoors and outdoors; something that is both exciting and unique.
Plus, you’ll also have a hand in presenting the information to various stakeholders and propose new solutions or changes to existing eco-regulations. This puts your sustainability efforts at the forefront of regulatory work, which has a huge impact on how other organisations operate as well.
Farmer
No, I don’t mean the kind of farmer you see on TV or in the movies that stands ankle deep in muddy water, and is surrounded by water buffaloes. What I’m talking about is being an urban farmer, which relies on technology and cutting edge innovation instead of animals and back-breaking manual labour.
Saying that Singapore is a land-scarce nation is definitely an understatement, and it's quite clear that we don’t have the space to do farming the traditional way. So instead, Singapore’s government adapted by reformatting farming from a horizontal to a vertical activity, relying on technology like hydroponics and aeroponics to get the job done.
This means that as an urban farmer, you can control key elements like light, air and water, to cultivate the most nutritious produce without using fertilisers or pesticides, which can be difficult to do outdoors. You can also cultivate crops all year round, without any concern about the natural environment threatening your yield.
Aside from the satisfaction of growing your own food, you’ll also know that your efforts are going to ensure that our country is both self-sufficient and reduce the potential for waste that typically results from traditional farming techniques.
Environmental engineer
For the maths whizzes out there, you can consider taking the less conventional approach to applied sciences and try environmental engineering. It's basically the same job, but done in a sustainability context in mind. One of the biggest effects that humans have on the environment is our ever-increasing need for domesticated spaces for things like housing, play and work.
As a result of that, large portions of natural landscapes have to be cleared out and repurposed accordingly. Such works can be incredibly devastating for things like wildlife and the ecosystem at large, and this is where environmental engineers come into play.
They are specialists in assessing and managing the human footprint on the biosphere by combining environmental sciences and engineering together. Like the previous two jobs, there’s usually a good mix of office work and fieldwork, covering everything from pollution and waste management to large scale renewable energy projects. This offers you plenty of variety in terms of work and keeps things interesting!
However, you’ll also be tasked to come up with new innovations to help manage the human impact on the environment. This means you’ll need to have a strong mathematical base and a keen mind for problem-solving from the get go, so don’t forget to bring your scientific calculator along.
NParks
Lastly, you can opt to apply for one of NPark’s many roles. They’re the governing body that manage and take care of the numerous parks that are scattered throughout the island. These include the Botanic Gardens, Gardens By The Bay, and the extensive network of park connectors that create a green route across the country.
The best part about this is that there are a bunch of different occupations that are related to sustainability, which you can pick based on your area of expertise and interest.
For example, if you’re interested in helping to maintain Singapore’s parks and want to do outreach and community events, you can apply to be a park officer. They are the keepers of all the parks and take care of operations and facilities management within the reserves. Those with green thumbs or just simply plant enthusiasts, why not try your hand at being a part of their arboriculture team? You’ll be charged with the inspection and maintenance of trees, so naturally much of your work will be outdoors and potentially high off the ground.
For animal lovers, NParks also has a veterinarian division that oversees the welfare and responds to calls regarding wildlife like the famous otter families that roam the country. You’ll also have a chance to help shape policy when it comes to legislation regarding animal health and the sector; a key facet when it comes to ensuring the safety of both wildlife and humans who regularly share spaces like parks.
Leaving the Office and Embracing Sustainability
When it comes to looking for a job, there are plenty of factors that must be taken into account, and one such element being values. These days, many people are looking for employees who share or support the values of their employees, which typically translates into job satisfaction. The more your values are aligned with the organisation’s, the more fulfilled you’ll be at your job because you have a sense of purpose.
This is no different with sustainability; if going green is at the top of your list of values, there are plenty of jobs that you can pursue. Being a country that prides itself on being green, there are more than a few opportunities across all sectors for you to join when it comes to eco-friendly jobs. It helps that climate change is a big global topic, meaning that everyone’s looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, which is the main goal of sustainable jobs.
You’re not only working for yourself, but your work is contributing to a larger effort towards a greener tomorrow. You’re laying the foundation for a more sustainable future, which is an incredibly meaningful thing to spend most of your adult life doing. Plus, you’ll get the chance to work outside of the office, which is a win if you’re not into the cubicle life.
