Transcript So you want to be a waste management consultant? Geoff

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