Spotlight Questions
Answered by Rachel Giordano
Director Talent Programs & Total Rewards
Matrix Solutions Inc.
Why should environmental professionals consider consulting as career?
Environmental consultants play an essential role in our modern society by stewarding the protection of our environment and natural resources for future generations. Their expert knowledge can help businesses and government decision-makers understand and reduce the environmental impact that comes with development and growth. It’s important and meaningful work.
Environmental consulting is a great way to explore many different sectors within the environmental field and gain transferable skills. Depending on the type and breadth of the firm, employees will have opportunities to work with different types of technical experts and work on a variety of project types. Given the nature of consulting, it is typical that hours of work are flexible and depending on the type of work, there can be travel, and work in urban, rural and remote settings. Plus, working with many clients means building a robust environmental network.
What makes working at Matrix Solutions unique?
At Matrix we are a part of an amazing community of collaborative people who bring industry-leading technical expertise to their work every day. As a Canadian-owned environmental and engineering consulting company, we have multi-disciplinary teams located across the country from British Columbia to Ontario.
We’re a company that is committed to support our people in doing their best work and making a positive impact in the communities where we operate. We believe in providing our employees with the opportunity to grow and learn, whether that’s through on-the-job exposure, internal seminars or attending technical training courses and conferences.
Given the breadth of our work types and technical disciplines, there are many opportunities to work with and learn from a variety of experts. Many of our projects require multi-disciplinary experts, which leads to variety in the type of work people get to do. This is supported by a collaborative work approach where cross-training and mentorship are inherent to our way of work.
Matrix offers a comprehensive compensation package, which includes RRSP matching, vacation + flex time, profit sharing, and opportunities to become a shareholder. We are also committed to flexible work hours and schedules, which means employees have a say in where, when and how they work.
What do you look for in your applicants?
In addition to having obtained relevant education as a scientist, engineer or technologist, we look for people who are team players – people who want to work collaboratively and who can adapt well to change. In the consulting industry, the work can change and evolve, so being able to navigate a changing environment is really important.
Other key skills that we look for include:
- Project management
- Written and verbal communication
- Data analysis
- Judgement and decision making
When you’re just starting out in your career we know that candidates will have limited experience, but we look at complimentary experience – volunteer work, part-time jobs and special projects. In particular, any experience working outside and in the natural environment is always regarded favourably.
What advice would you give to environmental professionals entering the job market or looking for new opportunities?
This is a great time to be starting a career as an environmental professional – there is a lot of hiring demand within the industry. So, if you are considering environmental consulting as a career this is a great time to start applying.
A few suggestions I would have for anyone looking for a job:
- Network: take advantage of any opportunities to connect with people in the industry. Whether that’s participating in career fairs (in-person or virtually), getting active on LinkedIn, or attending industry conferences. The more face-time you can get with folks, the greater your chances are for landing a job.
- Research the company: check out their website and see what they’re posting on LinkedIn. You want to be prepared and knowledgeable if you get a chance to meet or interview, but you also want to make sure that the company mission and values align with your own interests and goals.
- Keep your info updated: make sure you have a current resume and ideally keep your LinkedIn profile up to date.
- Work experience: if you have the opportunity while still in school, take advantage of any work term, co-op or internship opportunities. These are the best ways to get your foot in the door and to gain practical experience.
