What made you choose Arbtech?
I made the career switch to ecology from the world of high-value fundraising in the charity sector.
I’d been looking to break into ecology for some time but was disheartened at how inaccessible and fiercely competitive it was at entry-level.
I stumbled across the internship at Arbtech and was instantly drawn to the refreshing and no-frills approach of the company.
The internship was a great taster of what the life of an ecologist is really like while offering heaps of training and shadowing opportunities. I threw myself into it, and three months later, I was hired as a graduate ecologist.
I am so grateful that Rob gave me the chance to join the team, with endless opportunities and training available to help me carve out my dream career.
What do you love most about the company?
The people.
There is an energy and drive amongst the team that is unmatched.
Arbtech has a flat management structure, and there is a real sense of mutual trust and respect across the whole team.
The opportunities for progression and unlimited CPD budget are invaluable, especially whilst I’m starting out my career in consultancy.
On top of that, more staff perks than all of my previous jobs put together!
What do you do when you are not in Arbtech?
Outside of work, my partner and I are big outdoors people and enjoy camping, hiking, and booking ourselves onto weird and wonderful bushcraft and survival courses.
The lockdowns spurred a love of foraging, so I’m often experimenting with baking and brewing wild concoctions. You never know what you will find or how it will turn out (dandelion root coffee being the biggest fail to date – I can still taste it). It’s a humbling experience to say the least!
In my downtime, I enjoy yoga, board games, jigsaw puzzles and reading. I currently have a reading challenge to read 12 books a year, which I try to up every year.
What is the biggest tip to achieve the most in life?
One of my favourite quotes to live by: “Comparison is the thief of joy” – Theodore Roosevelt.
Everyone’s journey is different; stay in your lane and don’t lose sight of what is important to you.
Accept that priorities change, as will your goals.
Naturally stubborn, I always wanted to see things through to the end regardless of whether they were still relevant. It’s been a liberating experience to let go and trust the process.
What is the best social you’ve been on at Arbtech?
Unfortunately, I’m yet to experience an Arbtech social.
I’ve heard some epic stories about past socials though, so I am certainly looking forward to attending my first one soon!
Where do you want to travel to next?
Oh, the list is very long!
My bucket list involves a lot of hiking destinations. The Dolomites in Italy, the Lofoten Islands in Norway, and the Azores Islands in Portugal are very much at the top.
Closer to home, I’m keen to explore more of the UK and our wildlife. More than anything, I’m desperate to see a puffin!
I still haven’t visited Scotland and would love to drive the NC500 and camp along the coast.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I’d like to have established myself as an ecologist, with multiple licences under my belt and using my interests to home in on a specialism.
Hopefully, my partner and I will have bought a place of our own by then, and we can finally have our own garden buzzing with insects and full of fresh vegetables.
What is a goal you have for the future, in or out of work?
I hope to obtain a level 1 bat licence by 2024, which I’m currently working towards.
In addition, I’m really excited by the recent biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements and would like to further my knowledge in this so I can carry out assessments and advise landowners on sustainable development.
Having grown up in Cornwall, I’d love to return to the coast at some point.
I also hope to convince my partner that getting a dog is a great idea.
Emma joined Arbtech in August 2023.
