A career as an Environmental Scientist

As an Environmental Science and Health graduate, Thandekile Magqina has set her sights on being a public health specialist. Thando Nkomo (TN) discusses with Thandekile (TM) on what its like to be in the field of an environmental science, health and safety what is needed in order to get into this career path.

TN: Thandekile please tell us a bit about yourself?

TM: I'm a 24-year-old young lady holding a BSc Hons Degree in Environmental Science and Health from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo. Currently, I am employed as a site administrator for an Earthmoving Equipment Company in Hwange. I grew up in Bulawayo where I have spent most of my life so far. I like to believe I'm an ambivert because I float between being an extrovert/sociable and being quiet. This often varies with environments I may be in. I love music, poetry, craft and movies. I hope to one day become a public health specialist and rub shoulders with world changers in some reputable organisations or venture into Epidemiology & focus on disease surveillance.

TN: Wow! Amazing stuff. It’s great to catch a sneak peak of what makes you tick. How did you find yourself in the field of Environmental Science and Health?

TM: Thank you. I'm humbled to be sharing. Well, my mom was in the health sector serving as a midwife and for the longest time, she wanted me to be a doctor. However over the years I would hear her share and encourage others to venture into public health, and so after failing to get the good grades to study medicine (I genuinely struggled in my physical science classes at O level) and naturally because I cannot stand the sight of a lot of blood and wounds, I decided to opt for Environmental Science and Health as the best option for me to venture into Public Health at a later stage in life. More so, it was a growing industry then and it seems manageable and interesting to me so far.

TN: The apple has indeed not fallen far from the tree. I do remember that your mom was a well-respected health practitioner. You did get a lot of inspiration from her.

TM: Well in Ndebele we say indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili so it’s only better to try and emulate!

TN: You currently work as a safety and health officer in a mining environment, what does this involve on a day-to-day basis?

TM. Well fortunately or unfortunately, I'm currently employed as an administrator at one of the depots of a contracting company that offers services to some of the mines in Hwange. I don’t have a hands-on experience in a mining setup but having been in a fuel/oil industry for almost year during my industrial attachment, I have a good understanding of the similar standard requirements in organisations. The daily tasks basically involve safety or toolbox talks - preparatory talks or sessions where employees share risks and mitigation measure to associated hazards and risks, accident and incident investigations, hazard analysis and risk assessment, inspections and attending to safety paperwork

TN: That sounds like a lot of work. What would you say are the major pressures that come with your line of work?

TM: Well, it is a lot of work, but the diversify is what keeps us intrigued and willing to go further. Some of the pressures involve meeting expectations and standards that have a huge implication on the company's performance rating as far as workplace safety and accident management are concerned. Also, the safety and health department is a cross cutting and generally deals with everyone in the company including contractors hence the need to be able to manage people, ability to work well in a team and good public relations. Moreover, in most companies the department is usually not prioritised and is under-financed. Managers often feel it consumes money unlike other departments like production which directly determine the company's cash flow hence the need for good negotiating skills to bring to light how good SHEQ practices save funds.

TN: I guess from what you are saying there is room for growth in this area of work as more and more organisations prioritise workplace and environmental safety and health.

TM: Yes indeed! So much room because at the end of the day, progressing is what we should aim for.

TN: What would you say are the key skills and abilities that someone needs to excel as an environmental scientist? I can see that you have already alluded to some such as good negotiation skills.

TM: As in many other field, there are quite a lot of skills required, but I felt these speak to the core business in this field and so it paramount for one to be/have critical analytical skills, good interpersonal skills, Innovation and creativity, eloquence or good communication skills.

TN: For someone still at A Level or O level, what subject combinations are important for them to pursue a career in this field?

TM: It's quite a diversified set of combinations but I'm sure you will all pick the significant or recurrent subjects that speak to the core of the degree. One can try the following options but it all goes down to what you can tackle and pass well with great understanding. Mathematics, Biology, Geography; Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry; Biology, Geography, Agriculture; Food Science, Biology, Mathematics; Food Science, Biology, Geography; Chemistry, Biology, Food Science or Mathematics, Agriculture, Biology.

TN: Where can someone study to be an environmental scientist? I know you have stated that you studied at NUST. Where else can someone study?

TM: Well in Zimbabwe, I only know of these institutions since my last research - NUST, as already mentioned, Solusi University, Bulawayo Polytechnic or training for a Diploma under the Ministry of Health & Child Care (MoHCC)

TN: Besides working in a mining environment, where else can someone with a qualification in environmental science work?

TM: Well, aren't we Jacks of all trades and masters of none when it comes to that unless of course one specialises. However, in environmental health, the common identifier of personnel is that they are responsible for the identification, evaluation, and management of risks to human health from factors in the environment, whether on behalf of government agencies or commercial and industrial concerns. So, some of the areas of work for environmentalists includes Inspection and Enforcement Services, Environmental Health Consulting and Education, Communicable Disease Investigations and Outbreak Control, Contact Tracing and Case Contact Management, Food Safety Course Training, Community Planning, Sewage Disposal (Septic) Systems Planning and Floor Plan Reviewing.

TN: As we conclude, what's your general career advice to someone following this conversation today?

TM: I would say as much as we are all in search for money, always follow your passion because passion will drive you to push harder even when things get overwhelming, and you feel like giving up. It's what will keep you going in your field for years because your drive or pushing factor is from a deeper place than filling up your pockets. Passion will bring in discipline, interest, love, and determination. These are some of the many things that often keep us going in general. So, in summary, do what you love and do it like you know no other better way to do it!