From Biology Field Trip to a Green Career
When I was at school, my original plan was to study Accountancy. It seemed sensible and a financially secure career path.
Then came my A-level Biology field trip.
It was one of those rare weeks of blistering sunshine on the coast of Wales, and I loved every minute of it. Being outdoors, surrounded by nature, collecting data with the sea breeze in my hair (I had more hair back then) — I was completely in my element. By the end of that week, everything had changed. I knew I wanted to study something that allowed me to do this kind of stuff on a daily basis.
I was fascinated by the natural world and determined to do my bit for the environment. My dream was to work in conservation or research, helping protect our planet in some tangible way.
I opted for Environmental Biology, which was a brand new course at the University of Reading, and we were the first eight students to guinea pig the new content.
It was a fabulous three years, and I have many fond memories of that time. However, when I graduated in the early 1990s, opportunities were scarce. Environmental jobs were few and competition was fierce, so I started looking for other ways to make a difference – and that’s how I ended up teaching Biology.
At first, it felt like a step sideways. But over time, I realised that teaching Biology IS an environmental career. Every day, we have the opportunity to spark curiosity about the natural world, to help young people understand the science behind climate change and biodiversity, and to inspire them to think about how they can help build a sustainable future.
This Green Careers Week is a great reminder that there’s no single route into a green career – and that we, as Biology teachers, play a key role in opening those doors for our students.
If you’re looking for ways to start those conversations or inspire your students, these are some great places to begin:
Green Careers Week
A national campaign showcasing sustainability-focused roles across various sectors.
https://www.greencareersweek.com/
STEM Learning Green Careers Hub
Full of classroom ideas and case studies.
https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/library/collection/515483/green-careers-case-studies-1
https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/library/collection/515479/green-careers-information
National Careers Service – Environment and Land
Job profiles covering everything from ecology to environmental engineering.
IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment)
Insights into professional sustainability pathways.
Green Buzz Quiz
A short questionnaire that helps students explore their interests and discover which green careers might suit them best.
https://nationalcareersweek.com/green-buzz/
The world has changed a lot since my university days – and it’s inspiring to see how many opportunities now exist for students who want to make a difference.
As Biology teachers, we get to help them find those paths – sometimes sparked by heading out for a bit of field work in the sun!
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